Hundreds of nurses represented by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania approved a new three-year agreement with UPMC Altoona (Pa.) Jan. 15.
Four things to know:
1. The agreement, which covers 500 nurses, includes an average wage increase of more than 18% over the three-year contract, with a maximum raise of more than 27%, according to a Jan. 16 union news release shared with Becker’s.
2. Negotiations began Oct. 9, and the contract expiration date was extended from Dec. 31 to Jan. 9, when a tentative deal was reached.
“We are pleased to be able to move forward with a contract that offers competitive pay and benefits to our nurses, just as we offer to our other employees at UPMC Altoona,” a UPMC spokesperson said in a Jan. 22 statement shared with Becker’s. “Our nurses are dedicated, skilled professionals, and we are proud of the care they deliver each day to our patients and to the Altoona community.”
3. The agreement also includes an accelerated ladder for nurses to advance in their careers, and protection of paid time off, according to the release.
4. The labor agreement follows a November attack on a patient care technician by a patient in the hospital’s emergency department. The employee underwent emergency surgery after suffering a fractured skull and brain bleed. During negotiations, hospital leaders implemented several nurse-suggested safety measures, including a weapons detection system at the hospital’s front entrance, the hiring of more security staff and more frequent workplace violence committee meetings.
“This contract contains critical investments that will recruit, retain and support nurses so we can provide the high standard of care that our community urgently needs,” Jaime Balsamo, RN, president of the local chapter of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, said in the release. “During this process, we were able to advocate with management to finally implement many of the safety enhancements that we’ve been calling for over the past few years. This shows that when nurses unite with each other and our community, we can win concrete, positive change.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 10:56 a.m. Central time on Jan. 23.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.