More than 1,400 nurses and healthcare workers at Chambersburg Hospital have voted to authorize a strike as contract negotiations with WellSpan Health remain unresolved. The decision, finalized on July 1, follows months of negotiations over staffing shortages, high turnover, and the increasing reliance on outside agency staff to fill vacancies.
Union members argue these issues compromise patient care and strain the hospital workforce. They have also raised concerns about job security as certain non-clinical positions are increasingly outsourced, a trend they say undermines stability and quality inside the hospital.
The strike authorization was passed by a wide margin, with 87 percent of the votes in favor. While the vote does not trigger an immediate work stoppage, it empowers union leaders to call a strike if negotiations continue to stall. If that happens, WellSpan would be given at least 10 days’ notice before any walkout begins.
Employees point to Chambersburg Hospital’s reported \$318 million in profits last year and say more investment is needed to hire and retain permanent staff. They cite burnout, low wages, and loss of experienced workers as major drivers of the crisis.
Hospital representatives and union leaders met again Wednesday to continue talks in hopes of reaching an agreement. Both sides have signaled a desire to avoid disrupting patient care but have yet to finalize a deal addressing the workforce’s demands.
If no resolution is achieved, a strike could impact services across the facility, which serves a significant portion of Franklin County. The dispute reflects broader pressures across the healthcare industry, where understaffing and rising turnover have fueled labor unrest nationwide.
Source: WHP