Lewistown, PA – In a resounding show of unity, healthcare workers at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a potential strike, escalating tensions in ongoing contract negotiations over low wages that fail to keep pace with skyrocketing living costs. The union, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, announced the results of the vote on Wednesday, with 92% of participating workers approving the measure – a clear signal that patience is wearing thin amid economic pressures.
- 92% Strike Vote Reflects Deep Frustrations at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital
- Inflation Surge Pushes Healthcare Workers to Breaking Point on Wages
- Thanksgiving Rally Set to Rally Community Support for Striking Workers
- Geisinger’s Response and Rocky History of Union Negotiations
- Potential Strike Looms: Impacts on Patients, Region, and Healthcare Delivery
This development comes as the healthcare workers, including nurses, technicians, and support staff, grapple with salaries that have barely budged while inflation has eroded their purchasing power. The authorization does not mean an immediate walkout, but it empowers union leaders to call a strike if talks with Geisinger management break down further. Negotiations are set to resume in early December, following a planned Thanksgiving rally to amplify the workers’ plight.
92% Strike Vote Reflects Deep Frustrations at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital
The vote, held over two days last week, saw an impressive turnout of 85% among the roughly 500 union-represented healthcare workers at the 123-bed facility in central Pennsylvania. SEIU officials described it as one of the strongest mandates they’ve seen in recent years, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
“Our members are on the front lines every day, saving lives and keeping this hospital running, but they can’t afford to live in the community they serve,” said Maria Gonzalez, president of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania District 1199. “A yes vote on strike authorization sends a powerful message to Geisinger: it’s time for fair wages.”
Key demands include wage increases of at least 25% over the next three years, improved health benefits, and safer staffing ratios. Current starting wages for certified nursing assistants hover around $15.50 per hour, while registered nurses earn about $28 to $32 per hour – figures that union leaders argue lag behind regional averages and the state’s living wage of $24.15 per hour for a single adult, according to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator.
- Vote Breakdown: 92% in favor, 8% opposed
- Eligible Voters: Approximately 500 frontline staff
- Top Grievances: Wages (cited by 95% in pre-vote surveys), understaffing, and benefit cuts
Workers like Sarah Jenkins, a 12-year veteran nurse at Geisinger-Lewistown, shared her story post-vote. “I’ve had to pick up extra shifts just to cover rent and groceries. My family qualifies for food assistance while I’m providing critical care. This isn’t sustainable,” Jenkins told reporters.
Inflation Surge Pushes Healthcare Workers to Breaking Point on Wages
The timing of this labor unrest couldn’t be more poignant. Since contract talks began in July, U.S. inflation has climbed to 3.2% year-over-year, with grocery prices up 25% and housing costs surging 30% since 2020, per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. In Mifflin County, where Lewistown sits, median rent has jumped 18% to $950 monthly, outstripping wage growth at Geisinger.
Healthcare workers nationwide face similar squeezes. A 2023 American Nurses Association survey found 47% of nurses considering leaving the profession due to financial strain, exacerbating a projected shortage of 200,000 registered nurses by 2030. At Geisinger, turnover rates have spiked 15% in the past year, union data shows, partly due to competitors like Penn State Health offering starting wages 10-15% higher.
“Geisinger is a nonprofit behemoth with $6 billion in annual revenue, yet they’re squeezing frontline workers while executives rake in millions,” Gonzalez added. Geisinger Health System, one of Pennsylvania’s largest employers with 25 hospitals, reported a $300 million operating surplus in fiscal 2023, fueling accusations of misplaced priorities.
| Category | Geisinger-Lewistown Wages | Regional Average | Living Wage (Mifflin Co.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | $15.50/hr | $17.20/hr | $17.85/hr |
| RN | $28-32/hr | $34/hr | $24.15/hr (single) |
| Tech/Support | $16-20/hr | $22/hr | N/A |
These disparities have led to burnout and errors, workers claim. “Low pay means we’re short-staffed, which means longer waits for patients,” said Tom Reilly, a respiratory therapist.
Thanksgiving Rally Set to Rally Community Support for Striking Workers
To build public momentum, the union is organizing a high-visibility Thanksgiving rally on November 23 outside Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital. Expected to draw hundreds, including families of workers and local faith leaders, the event will feature speeches, music, and turkey giveaways to symbolize shared struggles over holiday meals.
“This isn’t just about us – it’s about ensuring quality care for our neighbors,” Gonzalez said. Rally organizers anticipate media coverage and petitions urging Geisinger CEO Saju Mathew to intervene personally.
Community backing is crucial, as past healthcare strikes – like the 2022 Kaiser Permanente action involving 48,000 workers – gained traction through public sympathy. In Pennsylvania, a 2021 strike at Jefferson Health saw 70% public support, per local polls.
- 10 a.m.: Worker testimonies and union leaders speak
- Noon: March to hospital entrance with signs demanding “Wages that Heal”
- 1 p.m.: Community picnic highlighting food insecurity
Hospital administrators have promised no retaliation against rally participants, but tensions simmer.
Geisinger’s Response and Rocky History of Union Negotiations
Geisinger spokesperson Amy Norton issued a statement acknowledging the vote: “We value our team members immensely and are committed to reaching a fair agreement. We’ve offered competitive raises averaging 12% over three years, plus bonuses, and remain open to dialogue.”
However, the union dismisses this as insufficient, pointing to a pattern. In 2019, Geisinger-Lewistown workers ratified a deal after a one-day strike threat, gaining 14% raises. Broader Geisinger system negotiations have been fraught; a 2022 dispute at Geisinger Wyoming Valley resolved narrowly after arbitration.
Critics, including state lawmakers from the area, have weighed in. Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Mifflin) tweeted support for workers, while urging both sides to prioritize patients. “Healthcare is our lifeline – let’s not let discord disrupt it.”
Legal experts note Pennsylvania’s strong union protections under Act 195, making strikes viable but requiring 10 days’ notice. Geisinger, with contingency plans including traveling nurses at $100+/hour, could face $1-2 million daily costs in a prolonged action.
Potential Strike Looms: Impacts on Patients, Region, and Healthcare Delivery
Should a strike materialize post-December talks, disruptions could ripple through central Pennsylvania’s healthcare landscape. Geisinger-Lewistown serves 100,000+ residents in rural counties with limited alternatives. Emergency services would continue, but elective procedures and routine care might halt.
“Patients suffer when we do,” Jenkins warned. Union leaders pledge safe staffing during any action, but experts like Dr. Emily Hargrove from Penn State College of Medicine caution: “Strikes in healthcare amplify shortages, delaying care and raising readmission risks.”
Looking ahead, resolution hinges on December 5 negotiations in Harrisburg. Optimists point to mediation offers; pessimists fear escalation if wages remain the sticking point. Broader trends show unions winning 78% of healthcare contract votes in 2023, per Cornell ILR School data, suggesting leverage for Geisinger workers.
As Thanksgiving approaches, the rally could galvanize support, pressuring Geisinger to bridge the gap. For these dedicated healthcare workers, the fight for livable wages is about more than paychecks – it’s about sustaining the caregivers who sustain us all.
