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MultiCare Indigo physicians will strike on Nov. 23-24

The following is from the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD):

TACOMA (Nov. 16, 2020) — In the face of a pandemic that continues to devastates our health and economy, America’s largest union of licensed physicians and healthcare providers announced last week that physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who work at 20 MultiCare Indigo Urgent Care facilities in the Puget Sound area will strike on Nov. 23 and 24. Since July 2018, members of the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD) have been seeking better work and safety conditions at 20 Indigo Urgent Care facilities located in the greater Puget Sound area.

UAPD members and supporters conduct an informational picket Oct. 8 outside the MultiCare Indigo Urgent Care clinic at Tacoma’s James Center.

“For too long these providers have been subjected to irresponsible and unsafe policies including working 12-plus hour shifts, sometimes seeing over 70 patients in one day without breaks. Not only has MultiCare put patients at risk through these assembly line conditions, but since the COVID-19 outbreak, MultiCare refuses to allow providers to wear N95 masks, even if they purchase our own,” said Dr. Stuart Bussey, president of UAPD and former urgent care physician. “MultiCare again refused the providers N95s just before the strike announcement last night. These practices are not only exhausting for providers, but more importantly, they are extremely risky for our patients who deserve the best possible care. It is no exaggeration to state this is a matter of life and death.”

Additionally, MultiCare has committed several unfair labor practices. The company has targeted outspoken union members, unilaterally changed working conditions, and failed to provide information relevant to collective bargaining in an effort to bust the union.

And, in response to recently reported outbreaks of COVID-19 cases within their hospital system that has infected both patients and staff, Dr. Stuart Bussey said, “The recent outbreak of COVID-19 within MultiCare’s hospital system should have been a wake-up call, but it was not. So, out of concern for patients, doctors will strike and we are calling upon the public to stand with healthcare providers who are working the frontlines of a pandemic.”

TAKE A STAND — The strike applies to UAPD members who work at 20 Indigo Urgent Cares locations in the greater Puget Sound. Members of the public wishing to support local healthcare providers are urged to visit www.unitedforpatients.com and sign a petition. Union members and community supporters interested in supporting community pickets for UAPD on Nov. 23-24 at MultiCare Indigo Urgent Care locations across Western Washington should contact Gabrielle Hanley at ghanley@uapd.com.

Founded by a private practice physician in 1972, over the last forty years the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD) has grown into the largest union representing licensed doctors in the United States.  In the State of Washington UAPD represents physicians, advanced nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Affiliated with AFSCME and the AFL-CIO, UAPD is proud to bring the strength of the labor movement to the aid of working doctors in the interest of better healthcare for all.


The Stand (Oct. 8, 2020) — MultiCare physicians in Tacoma picket over unsafe conditions

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