Editor’s note: This story was edited to add PeaceHealth’s comment.
BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Hundreds of unionized nurses in Bellingham hit the picket line at noon on Tuesday, April 29 over negotiations for a new contract with PeaceHealth.
The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) says nurses will hold an informational picket outside PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center ahead of the picket.
It’s the latest development in stalled negotiations between the hospital and 1,100 nurses represented by the union. Union representatives say health insurance and wages remain the biggest sticking points in contract talks, along with a feeling of disrespect from management.
Union representatives add that an informational picket is not a strike, and the hospital functioned as normal during the event.
When reached for comment, PeaceHealth provided the following statement:
“PeaceHealth understands how important our contract is to our caregivers, and we look forward to bargaining again on Friday, May 16. We are committed to good faith bargaining to reach an agreement that is fair, competitive and sustainable for our medical center and our community. PeaceHealth accepted WSNA’s position on wages at our last session on April 18, which includes an average wage increases of 14%, over 3 years. This means our nurses would be making between $95,321 and $160,675 in base salary by the third year of the contract. Our shared focus remains on providing safe, high-quality and compassionate care to the people in our communities.”
