Submitted photo
Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital workers previously delivered Christmas cards to Geisinger executives. Pictured are, front, from left, Allysea Price, Tammy Fultz, Jenna Shuttlesworth; back, from left, Brandon Sellers and Doug Fultz.

LEWISTOWN — About 160 workers at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital have approved a new three-year labor contract that includes substantial wage increases, a ratification bonus and workplace policy changes intended to support staffing levels and patient care.

Workers, who are members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare PA, reached a tentative agreement with Geisinger on Wednesday, Jan. 14, after months of bargaining, then voted 98% in favor of ratification on Thursday, Jan. 15. The contract took effect immediately and runs through Nov. 14, 2028.

According to a press release issued by SEIU Healthcare PA on Friday, the agreement provides total wage increases ranging from 9.25% to 20% over the life of the contract. Workers will also receive a ratification bonus of up to $700. The new terms include enhanced safety and security protocols, revised scheduling and on-call processes and other operational improvements that workers say will help with recruitment and retention.

The bargaining unit includes a wide range of hospital support staff who perform essential daily functions across departments. Among the represented groups are nursing assistants, environmental services workers, dietary aides, patient transporters, sterile processing staff, unit clerks, patient companions, anesthesia technicians, storeroom attendants and skilled maintenance employees. Workers had been negotiating since the summer of last year, and their previous contract expired on Nov. 14.

The agreement follows a period of visible worker activism. In November, employees held a Thanksgiving rally at the United Steelworkers Hall across from the hospital to call attention to staffing challenges and demand improvements to working conditions. The activity continued into December, when workers delivered holiday cards to Geisinger executives urging dignity, fair compensation and investments that they said were necessary to stabilize the workforce.

Union representatives said those actions played a role in demonstrating the level of concern among hospital staff and helped push the talks toward resolution. They also credited the high ratification margin as evidence of worker confidence in the contract’s provisions.

Angel McConaughey, a certified environmental services specialist who works the night shift cleaning and sanitizing hospital areas, said the agreement reflects months of organizing and collective pressure. She said wage increases and other improvements are necessary to attract and retain staff across multiple departments.

“I’m over the moon and very proud of what we’ve accomplished in this contract, which is a win win win for workers, patients and our hospital,” McConaughey said. “All of us here at Geisinger-Lewistown have essential jobs and we deserve to be recognized with fair pay. I became a union delegate to speak up and fight for my coworkers and our community. This new contract will help us attract and keep staff so we can do the best job possible. Now I’m looking forward to working together with my co-workers to continue building our unity and strength, so that we can keep making even more progress.”

Hospital leadership also issued a statement Friday acknowledging the agreement and the role of the employees involved in patient care.

“Geisinger is pleased to have reached a mutually agreeable labor contract with our SEIU-represented team members who play a critical role in the delivery of care at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital,” said AJ Hartsock, associate vice president, operations, Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital. “Geisinger is committed to remaining a top place to work for all health care professionals in central Pennsylvania. We look forward to continuing caring for our community together.”

Union officials said the contract addresses multiple concerns raised during negotiations, particularly around the ability to recruit and keep staff in jobs that are essential to hospital operations but often experience high turnover. Improved safety measures were another priority for workers, who sought clearer standards and more support in addressing security issues within the facility.

The contract also includes changes to scheduling practices that workers said would provide more consistency and clarity in assigning on-call responsibilities. Those changes, they said, are intended to reduce strain on short-staffed departments and create more predictable workloads.

Union leaders said the contract sets clear expectations for how workplace policies will be applied through 2028 and said they expect the agreement to help stabilize staffing across affected departments and support continuity of patient services at the hospital.