By Joe Bush
Nursing home workers on strike at four Pennsylvania facilities since Sept. 2 are leaving the picket lines after their union reached a tentative agreement with provider Comprehensive, according to a late Thursday afternoon press release from SEIU Healthcare PA.
The statement also noted that employees remained on strike at nine Priority-owned nursing homes and one privately owned home. Workers have said they want better working conditions, more staff, higher wages and improved benefits.
“In light of the agreement, picketing outside the buildings has been paused while the union members meet to hear details of the agreement and vote to ratify over the next day,” the union’s release said.
“Until that process is complete, no details of the agreement can be shared. Workers will return to work if the agreement is ratified, which could be as early as Saturday.”
The tentative deal also halted a planned strike today at two other Comprehensive buildings.
The workers have demanded that providers focus on staff and resident care after a historically generous state budget provided $600 million meant for caregiving in nursing homes.
