HERSHEY, Pa. — More than 2,000 registered nurses represented by SEIU (Service Employees International Union) have ratified a new contract with Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center that reaffirms the hospital’s reputation as an employer of choice for nurses in the region. The agreement includes market-driven wage increases, time off enhancements and new initiatives to address staffing needs.
“Our top priority in these negotiations was to make sure we retain the dedicated, highly skilled nurses we have at Hershey, and that our patients will always receive the exceptional specialized care for which our academic medical center is known,” said Michele Szkolnicki, senior vice president and chief nursing officer, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. “We are pleased that we could achieve this new contract for our valued nurses.”
Highlights of the new contract include:
- Market-driven wage increases for each of the three years of the contract
- Enhanced parental leave, providing a better work-life balance for new parents
“This new contract demonstrates our continued commitment to our people by adjusting wages to reflect current market conditions for in-demand nurses, and ensuring we remain competitive when recruiting the best nursing talent,” said Szkolnicki. “The contract helps us maintain our strong position during a time of great change for our industry, as we continue efforts to lower overall costs by reducing our reliance on external agency nurses.”
The new agreement is effective April 24 and remains in effect until March 31, 2027.