(ACROSS THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA) - Over the past two months, 4,000 Nursing Home Workers across the State of Pennsylvania - who are Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Pennsylvania, have won new contracts that invest in wages, secure retirement and training opportunities.

The Workers - who are employed at a 45 individual nursing homes, overwhelmingly ratified the new agreements with standards designed to solve workforce challenges in the face of industry instability and impending Medicaid cuts.

“We went into negotiations being realistic about our needs and moving Caregivers forward,” said Jeannine Horner, a Certified Nursing Assistant who works at Windber Woods in Windber. “This contract addressed those needs - quality raises in a time of unstable funding, with improvements to wage scales, raises, and dependent coverage for health insurance. This sets our facility up to be able to recruit and retain Staff.”

The newly-ratified contracts include 27 facilities at providers involved in the new Industry-Labor Partnership between SEIU Healthcare PA and the Pennsylvania Health Care Association.

Highlights of the various agreements include: Across-the-board wage increases for Nursing and Support Staff; Secure retirement plans; and Training and education opportunities for skills enhancement, including incentives to achieve Certified Nursing Assistant and Licensed Practical Nurse certifications. 

These victories come as part of a broader effort by more than 7,000 Union Nursing Home Workers - who, at the beginning of the year, committed to use their expiring contracts at more than 90 homes to raise care and job standards, protect residents from potential Medicaid cuts, combat instability across the Long-Term Care Industry, and fight for greater investment in bedside care.

The contracts come at a time when Nursing Home Worker turnover also remains a major challenge.

Caregivers cite burnout, poor pay and short staffing as top reasons for leaving the field.

The Commonwealth expects one-in- three Pennsylvanians to be over 65 years old by 2030.

Yet, Pennsylvania has lost 31 nursing homes since 2021, and more closures are expected. 

“These contracts are a critical step forward for Workers and for every Pennsylvanian who relies on nursing home care,” said Matthew Yarnell, who serves as President of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania. “The Medicaid cuts make this exact kind of investment more important. Union Workers are leading the way in valuing this care and protecting residents and it’s time for every operator and The Commonwealth to follow their lead.”

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: Release: Over 4,000 Union Workers Win Strong Contracts at 45 Nursing Homes Across Pennsylvania - SEIU Healthcare