Nurses Ratify First Contract!
The nurses at Altoona Regional Health System now have a voice in the future of their hospital and policies that impact patient care like staffing and scheduling. Nurses voted yesterday on a tentative agreement reached with management late last week. 95% voted in favor of the agreement which includes:
- A 16% raise over 3 years to help attract and retain dedicated nurses.
- A continuation of the Nurses' pension for nurses currently employed at the hospital, and a new defined-contribution retirement plan with a match from the hospital for nurses hired after June 30th, 2008.
- Joint committees between nurses and hospital management to address patient care and staffing issues
- Limits on mandatory overtime, by assigning it on a rotating basis and limiting it to four-hour increments. Any RN who volunteers to work four or more hours of overtime will not be required, where possible, to work overtime in the next seven days.
- A modified union shop that gives nurses a strong voice in the decisions that affect them and their patients.
Joint Statement Issued by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania and Altoona Regional Health System
April 4th, 2008We are pleased to report that after over 8 hours of bargaining extending from thursday to Friday, SEIU and Hospital representation made significant progress toward what we hope will be a tentative labor agreement subject to ratification by the SEIU Negotiating Committee and its members and the ARHS Board of Trustees.
Nurses, Families, and Supporters Stand Together for Quality Care at Vigil
Hundreds of nurses, their family members and supporters attended our Community Vigil on Wednesday night – packing the Fairview United Methodist Church until there was standing room only.
Nurses lit "candles of hope and respect," recalling their personal stories of struggle to provide quality care and advocate for their patients.
With an overwhelming majority of nurses clearly committed to achieving a strong voice in our hospital, and an outpouring of support from our community, we’re more united than ever in our determination for a contract that respects nurses, values our patients, and serves our community.