An overwhelming majority of workers at Pottstown and Chestnut Hill Hospitals voted to approve new three-year union contracts with Tower Health.
The new Pottstown contract includes across-the-board wage increases for the duration of the contract, seniority protections, and caps on health insurance costs for employees.
“This contract was months in the making,” said Kim Shaner, a nurse and union chapter president at Pottstown Hospital. “But it’s worth it to be able say that we stood together as a team and worked with Tower Health to make an agreement that moves Pottstown Hospital and our community forward.”
At Chestnut Hill Hospital, new contract solves a serious, longstanding wage disparity problem at the hospital as well as resolves an issue concerning affordable access to local doctors and specialists.
“This was a difficult process for both sides,” said Jeanette Oakley, a unit secretary at Chestnut Hill Hospital and SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania union chapter president. “But when we stand together and work with management to solve our problems, we all win. And this contract is a big win for everyone.”
Union workers at both hospitals say improvements in the new contract will be key to recruiting and retaining an experienced, skilled staff to care for residents of their communities.
In addition to those improvements, the contracts also addresses better access to health care, job security and training opportunities.
More than 500 certified nursing assistants, transporters, unit secretaries, service workers, technicians, CNAs and more at the two hospitals are members of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania.