Healthcare workers to picket Peacehealth

Providers at PeaceHealth are calling attention to stalled contract negotiations and ongoing union recognition issues 

BELLINGHAM, WA (January 8, 2025) — Healthcare workers at PeaceHealth represented by the Union of American Physicians and Dentists and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW will hold an informational picket on January 9 to raise awareness about stalled contract negotiations and PeaceHealth’s refusal to recognize joint employer status.

With little progress in negotiations for nurse practitioners and physician assistants, concerns are mounting about the ability of clinicians to provide the high-quality care their patients deserve.

Healthcare workers at PeaceHealth in Bellingham pose for a photo after giving notice to management of their intent to picket. Photo: SEIU Healthcare 1199NW via Facebook.

“We came to the bargaining table in good faith, hoping to reach an agreement where we are given the proper support, resources, and time necessary to care for patients,” said a clinician involved in the negotiations. “Unfortunately, leadership at PeaceHealth has been dismissive of our concerns.”

Clinicians have raised several key concerns, including:

• Patient Safety: Ongoing understaffing and long wait times are compromising the ability to give patients the time and attention they deserve.
• Recruitment and Retention: Competitive wages and benefits are essential for attracting and retaining skilled clinicians. The delay in reaching a fair agreement is making it increasingly difficult to fill critical healthcare positions at PeaceHealth.

“Patients deserve the best possible care,” another clinician stated. “Clinicians deserve to be respected and empowered in decision-making for their patients. We want to work with PeaceHealth to reach a contract that benefits the communities we serve.”

In addition to the stalled negotiations, PeaceHealth has refused to recognize the June 2024 joint union victory of the PeaceHealth and Sound Physicians hospitalist team at St. Joseph Medical Center and United General Medical Center.

TAKE A STAND: Join the workers for an informational picket on January 9 at 11:00 am in front of PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, WA, on the corner of Squalcium Parkway and Ellis Street.