Sep. 10—The union representing workers at two Schuylkill County nursing homes reached an agreement with two health care companies, ending a strike at one of the facilities that began last Friday.
SEIU Healthcare Pa. announced in a news release Friday that they came to an agreement with Priority Healthcare, which operates The Gardens at York Terrace in Pottsville, and Comprehensive Healthcare for a new contract.
Details about the contract weren't available Friday, pending ratification by union members. Spokeswoman Karen Gownley said striking employees would return to work when it was ratified.
David Jasinski, an attorney representing the facility and Ridgeview Health and Rehabilitation Center in Shenandoah Heights, where workers also went on strike, said Friday that the three-year agreement reached is "fair and balanced," addressing the needs of employees and the facility. The contract includes wage increases for all employees.
"I'm thrilled people can get back to work to provide services to residents," he said.
Employees of the nursing home, along with those at 11 other facilities across the state, went on strike Sept. 2, which involved some 700 workers, according to SEIU.
They have demanded substantial wage increases for all existing employees; employer-paid health insurance; protection of the existing contract in the event of a sale; to be ensured that employers follow new state regulations governing staffing; and written commitments not to interfere with the rights of workers who choose to form their union to demand accountability from private equity firms and bad-actor nursing home chains.
The union hasn't reached an agreement with Shenandoah Heights Healthcare LLC, parent company of Ridgeview Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Gownley said they are still in negotiations with the facility. Jasinski said the union presented a draft agreement that Ridgeview management is reviewing.
"I'm cautiously optimistic an agreement between Shenandoah Heights Healthcare and SEIU will be reached," he said.
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