St. Mary Medical Center Nurses Ratify New 3-Year Agreement

LANGHORNE, PA — Nurses at St. Mary Medical Center have ratified a new three-year contract following an 18-hour bargaining session, officials said.

The contract includes massive increases in base wages for St. Mary nurses, with some seeing up to a 17 percent increase over the lifetime of the agreement. Differentials for evening, night, and weekend shifts, as well as tier/pool differentials, will also increase.

The agreement was approved by 94 percent of the 630 registered nurses who are part of the St. Mary United Nurses Union (SMUNU).

The new contract addresses caregiver retention problems and aims to improve patient safety. It includes provisions for improved staffing at the bedside and competitive wages designed to increase recruitment and retention of caregivers.

Julia Smith, co-president of SMUNU, stated the union secured a strong contract for nurses and patients. She added that a strong foundation was built with management during the process, expressing hope for future accomplishments through mutual respect and shared commitment.

SMUNU Co-President Bob Bozek, MSN, RN, echoed these sentiments, noting the contract’s emphasis on patient safety and nurse recruitment. He expressed hope that continued collaboration would elevate the hospital as an industry leader in the region.

Debbi Bozeman, a St. Mary Med/Surg Nurse, said seasoned nurses are the backbone of healthcare.

She added that the contract respects their expertise and rewards their essential role in patient care. The agreement locks in staffing grids until Dec. 31, 2027, preventing changes and ensuring that nurses in orientation are not counted in unit staffing numbers.

The contract also maintains “Just Culture” language, which supports a non-punitive environment for reporting errors. Paulette Petrizzi, MSN, RN, CPHQ, CAPA, a St. Mary Quality Analyst, said maintaining this language is essential for identifying risks, resolving system issues, and strengthening patient safety.

Joe Gentile, a 47-year St. Mary Medical Center Cath Lab nurse, said nurses feel seen and heard by management. He added that they have a voice to advocate for themselves and their patients, using that voice to create positive changes for the hospital.