Letters: Mount Nittany Health’s actions are telling; Happy Valley Casino should close
Mount Nittany Health’s actions are telling
Mount Nittany Health wants us to believe that they’re committed to good faith negotiations to reach a contract with their workers.
That’s a nice sentiment. Good faith is good.
But good faith negotiations are determined by actions, not words, and the actions tell a different story.
What their actions tell us is that they’re lowballing the healthcare workers that are the backbone of Mount Nittany Health while putting away millions in profit. What their actions tell us is that they think the workers that took a wage freeze during the pandemic and worked to keep us all safe only deserve a wage increase averaging out to half of the rate of inflation.
What their actions tell us is that they want a pat on the head for not (they claim) demanding health insurance concessions from their workers — as though that earns them credit. What their actions tell us is that they think slapping some signs up in the hallways will solve workplace safety problems for healthcare workers.
What would actually demonstrate good faith is getting back to the bargaining table and reaching a fair agreement with their healthcare workers: one that values them, not slaps them in the face.
Mount Nittany still has time to do that. They’d better get to it. If they force their workers to the picket line, those workers will have a lot of friends to walk it with them.
Connor Lewis, State College. The author is the president of Seven Mountains AFL-CIO.
Happy Valley Casino should close before more get hurt
My 68-year old brother was visiting for Arts Fest. He decided to see what the Happy Valley Casino was like. As he was leaving he tripped on the concrete curb and sustained numerous injuries including nine facial stitches, a ripped raw right arm and a severely bruised knee. He tripped because there are inadequate lights at the entrance to assist people to see their way to their cars, especially in the evening. Fortunately a good Samaritan, who happened to be a nurse, helped him immediately and called for an ambulance long before any casino employee came out to help. He went to Mount Nittany ER and will be suffering for some time. BTW, he was sober as a judge.
How can an establishment that is open until 2 a.m. not be required to have adequate external lights? What was College Township thinking in approving this monstrosity? What was the casino thinking as it was cutting corners? Happy Valley Casino should never have been allowed to open and should be closed before more people die or are seriously injured.
Jackie R. Esposito, State College
Community came together for July 4 event
We want to thank Davie Grubb, Amanda and the many Penns Valley businesses and individuals who made the veteran recognition ceremony and the amazing fireworks display possible on July 4 in Millheim.
The money, gift cards, plaque, wind chimes, and many hours of time donated made this a memorable event!
A huge “thank you” to everyone involved!
Carol and Jerry Myers, Spring Mills
Penn State’s new coach deserves better than this schedule
Those who understand what “We Are” means would hate to be Matt Campbell this fall.
Penn State’s new coach inherits expectations and a schedule offering little excitement. Marshall, Temple and Buffalo open the season. USC is the marquee home game; Michigan and Washington are away.
Families, students and fans build weekends around Penn State football. That is a thin return on their investment of time. Hotels, restaurants, shops and the community feel the energy — or its absence.
Campbell inherited the schedule and must make it matter. Win by 20, and people ask why it was not 40. Run up the score, and Penn State may look classless. Lose a game the Lions should win, and national-title talk may vanish.
Penn State football should be more than a television product, playoff résumé, NIL marketplace or chance to sell merchandise. Tradition cannot be packaged, priced and sold back to students and fans.
Today’s students are too sophisticated to confuse marketing with commitment. They know the difference between someone invested in Penn State and someone collecting a paycheck.
Those inside the football complex are stewards of something larger. Their responsibility is to give players, fans and the community something worth believing in.
Give the coach a fair chance. Give fans games worth attending. Most importantly, make Penn State football fun again.
So let’s show the new coach what “We Are” really sounds like:
“We Are … Penn State.”
Warren Hudak, Camp Hill