Healthcare workers picket at EvergreenHealth Monroe

Workers are demanding a fair contract that preserves wages and healthcare benefits, and their voice on mergers

The following is from SEIU Healthcare 1199NW:

MONROE, Wash. (May 24, 2023) — More than 170 healthcare workers united in SEIU Healthcare 1199NW at EvergreenHealth Monroe, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, support services workers, and techs, will hold an informational picket today to demand a fair contract that preserves, not takes away, their current healthcare benefits, and ensures that they can preserve the right to enforce their union contract in the event of a merger, known as successorship language.

TAKE A STAND — All union members and community supporters of healthcare workers are invited to join EvergreenHealth Monroe, local elected officials and neighbors at the Informational Picket and Rally for a Fair Contract from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24 (with a rally at 5 p.m.) outside EvergreenHealth Monroe, 14701 179th Ave SE in Monroe.

The workers at EvergreenHealth Monroe are fighting for a contract that will help recruit, retain, and safely staff their hospitals and allows them to provide quality care to their Snohomish County community. They began bargaining with their employer in September 2022.

The workers’ core bargaining priorities are strong healthcare benefits and a voice in decision-making, successorship language, equitable wages that keep up with market rates, safe staffing, recruitment and retention, and an environment of respect and belonging.

SEIU Healthcare 1199NW is a union of nurses and healthcare workers with over 31,000 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.