LOCAL

UW Medicine workers demand fair contract at pickets, rally

SEATTLE (Aug. 5, 2021) — Hundreds of nurses and healthcare workers at UW Medicine and their supporters participated in informational pickets on Wednesday to call on UW Medicine administration to settle an agreement that respects their sacrifice, protects them and their patients from COVID-19 and future pandemics, and pays them what is necessary to recruit and retain the top-quality caregivers our community deserves.

Since contract negotiations began with SEIU Healthcare 1199NW in May, the union reports that UW Medicine has said “no” to equitable pay for its nearly 4,000 nurses and healthcare workers, “no” to safer staffing proposals, “no” to accountability for how systemic racism impacts patient care, and “no” to hero pay for all healthcare workers.

UW Medicine workers are united for a contract that guarantees safe staffing and ends the illegal use of mandatory call; offers wages, market adjustments and premium parity for recruitment and retention; provides COVID relief and recovery to honor the sacrifices of healthcare workers; and holds UW Medicine accountable to addressing systemic racism in our healthcare system.

HAPPENING NOW AT HARBORVIEW!@UW has refused to consider COVID hero pay in recognition of our tremendous work & sacrifice during this unprecedented healthcare crisis. As we begin contract bargaining we’re calling on UW to “RESPECT US, PROTECT US, PAY US!” #RespectProtectPayUs pic.twitter.com/nh0nx6wNbp

— SEIU Local 925 (@SEIU925) August 4, 2021

@UW workers deserve a fair contract. We’re rallying in solidarity with our fellow University of Washington workers to get one. #RespectProtectPayUs @SEIU1199NW @SEIU925 pic.twitter.com/gmqR7yuqHP

— AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE) (@wfsec28) August 4, 2021

See more photos and videos of Wednesday’s pickets and rally on the SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Twitter feed.

SEIU Healthcare 1199NW is a union of nurses and healthcare workers with over 32,000 caregivers throughout hospitals, clinics, mental health, skilled home health and hospice programs in Washington state and Montana. SEIU Healthcare 1199NW’s mission is to advocate for quality care and good jobs for all.