As Strike Looms, Negotiations Between Mount Nittany, Unionized Workers Remain Deadlocked

With a planned strike less than a week away, Mount Nittany Medical Center’s unionized workers and hospital management failed to reach a contract agreement in their latest round of negotiations on Tuesday.

Mount Nittany’s revised proposal, which a hospital spokesperson said was aimed at avoiding a strike, included a one-year contract extension with 3% across-the-board wage increase for all of its approximately 950 workers represented by SEIU Healthcare PA, as well as a $1,000 ratification bonus for every employee in the bargaining unit, wage scale upgrades for 18 job classifications and new investments in workplace safety.

Management’s previous offer was a three-year deal with 3% raises in the first year followed by 2% in the following two years, along with an additional 2% for registered nurses pay grade increases for 19 positions, bumps for weekend and preceptor differentials and a series of new workplace safety measures.

“The union did not accept the revised proposal, did not provide a counter proposal and, once again, ended the bargaining session without further discussion,” the hospital spokesperson wrote.

Unionized workers have sought wage increases for all positions that keep pace with inflation and the rising cost of living in Centre County, which they say will help attract and retain adequate staffing levels, as well as enhanced safety amid increasing workplace violence in healthcare settings. The union, which represents most employees from every department at the hospital, has previously called for general wage increases of 5.75% in the first year, 4.5% in the second and 4% in the third.

Alicia Sowash, a nutrition and culinary services worker at the medical center, said in a statement on Tuesday night that union members were “extremely disappointed” with the new proposal and that it “moves us backward, not forward.”

She added that the bargaining committee emailed the hospital’s Board of Trustees prior to Tuesday’s negotiations requesting that Mount Nittany Health President and CEO Kathleen Rhine be in attendance to provide the “authority needed to help bring these negotiations to a successful conclusion.”

“Her presence would demonstrate that reaching a fair agreement is a priority for Mount Nittany,” Sowash said. “It’s now clear that the person with real decision-making power is not here to face our negotiating committee and provide answers. We feel disrespected that Mount Nittany still won’t invest in wages that keep up with inflation, when Mount Nittany made $183 million in profits, is purchasing new buildings, and just constructed a [$350 million] tower.”

Negotiations began on April 29 and the previous three-year contract expired on June 30.

On July 8, Mount Nittany union members voted to issue notice of a five-day strike beginning July 27 if a new agreement is not reached.

“They keep calling us back to negotiations when we feel like they’re not serious about an agreement that recruits and retains experienced workers,” Sowash said, further alleging that management is “using intimidation and coercion tactics on workers for taking collective action.”

Both sides say they are willing to continue negotiations.

“While we are disappointed that an agreement was not reached, we remain committed to bargaining in good faith and remain prepared to return to the negotiating table at any time,” the hospital spokesperson said.

The union, meanwhile, is “committed and ready to consider any and all proposals that the hospital may have that actually moves care and jobs forward,” Sowash said.

If, as now appears likely, a strike occurs, Mount Nittany has “comprehensive plans in place to ensure patients continue to receive safe, high-quality care with as little disruption as possible,” according to the hospital.

The medical center, emergency department, physician offices and outpatient practices will remain open if a strike occurs and patients should keep scheduled appointments unless contacted otherwise. 

Multiple local unions have pledged support for Mount Nittany workers, saying they would picket alongside them and some urging members to avoid using Mount Nittany services during a strike.

Connor Lewis, president of Seven Mountains AFL-CIO, offered sharp criticism of Mount Nittany executives on Tuesday night, saying the failure to offer an acceptable proposal shows “they aren’t interested in bargaining,”

“By squandering months of bargaining and prioritizing profit and greed over patient care and workers, they have done a grave disservice to both their workers and the Centre County community while tarnishing the name of our community’s hospital,” Lewis said in a statement.

“Seven Mountains AFL-CIO stands shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with SEIU Healthcare PA and Mount Nittany healthcare workers. By taking strike action as a last resort, they are showing the power working people have to fight for better workplaces and dignity on the job. Striking isn’t just for them, it’s for all of us, and working families will be there with them.”