Negotiations Update

Mount Nittany Medical Center, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania Ratify New Three-Year Contract Supporting Employees

New agreement reflects shared commitment to competitive wages, strong benefits, workplace safety, and high-quality patient care

Mount Nittany Medical Center today announced that it has finalized a new three-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, following ratification by union-represented employees on Sept. 14. The ratified agreement recognizes the important contributions of Mount Nittany Medical Center employees, while maintaining the financial stability necessary to preserve Mount Nittany Health as a community, independent health system.

Effective Sept. 14, 2026 through June 30, 2029, the CBA includes general wage increases of 3% in the first and second years of the contract, and 2% in the final year. Employees represented by the bargaining unit will also receive an additional 1% wage increase in the third year of the agreement if Mount Nittany Medical Center’s Sole Community Hospital (SCH) designation is permanently reinstated during the term of the contract. The final agreement also includes pay grade adjustments for 22 positions, providing additional wage increases to employees in those classifications above and beyond the general wage increases and any applicable seniority step increases.

“This contract reflects Mount Nittany Medical Center’s dedication to investing in competitive wages, strong benefits, and initiatives that support the professional growth and wellbeing of our employees,” said Kathleen Rhine, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mount Nittany Health. “We are grateful to everyone across Mount Nittany Health for their support, patience and commitment throughout this process. As we move forward together, we remain focused on supporting our employees and delivering exceptional care to our patients and community.”

Mount Nittany Medical Center will also deliver the following provisions as part of the new agreement:

• Two weeks of fully paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child, available to both parents, which can be used to cover the first two weeks of an employee’s 12 weeks of FMLA leave
• No changes to existing employee healthcare benefits
• Increased uniform and shoe allowances
• Additional workplace safety and security measures, including two workplace safety task forces—one focused on the Behavioral Health Pod in the Emergency Department and another focused-on safety concerns in the Ambulatory Surgical Unit and Endoscopy; implementation of a camera-integrated weapons detection system; a mass text emergency notification system; expanded employee duress badge technology and establishing a K-9 officer program
• Changes to part-time scheduling policies which prevent part-time employees from being scheduled above their FTE allotment mutually agreed upon by the employee and Medical Center

“At Mount Nittany Health, we are one team, working together to deliver excellent patient care, support one another and be leaders within our community,” said Amy Trithart, Chief Human Resources and Ancillary Services Officer at Mount Nittany Health. “Our team’s commitment, dedication and professionalism are at the heart of our mission of ‘Healthier people, stronger community,’ and we are deeply grateful for all they do every day.”

Mount Nittany Medical Center, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania Ratify New Three-Year Contract Supporting Employees

New agreement reflects shared commitment to competitive wages, strong benefits, workplace safety, and high-quality patient care

As one of the largest health care providers and employers in the region, Mount Nittany Health remains steadfast in its commitment to providing exceptional care close to home. Through continued investment in talent, health care services, state-of-the-art technology, and facilities, Mount Nittany Health is adapting and growing to improve the lives of every patient and family it serves.