Solidarity on the St. Joe’s strikeline

Nurses joined striking healthcare workers on the picket line Thursday afternoon amplifying calls for fair contracts at PeaceHealth St. Joseph

BELLINGHAM, WA (May 16, 2025) — Picket lines are going strong in Bellingham on the final day of a planned five-day strike called by more than a thousand hospital workers and medical practitioners, represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and the Union of American Physicians & Dentists. And on Thursday, the nurses at PeaceHealth St. Joseph joined their striking colleagues on the line, holding their own informational picket in tandem.

These nurses, represented by Washington State Nurses Association, are also fighting for a fair contract, struggling with many of the same issues that pushed the strikers to the picket line — abysmally low pay, chronic low-staffing — as well as changes to healthcare plans requiring nurses to pay thousands out of pocket or travel hundreds of miles for care. 

The solidarity actions will continue today at a strike rally with guest speakers, local labor allies, and elected officials planned for 5:00 p.m. today.

Workers are united in their frustration with management’s low wage offers at the table, and it’s public mischaracterization of what’s on offer.

“PeaceHealth is saying they offered a 15-36% wage increase,” said Savita Kashyup, a senior CNA who has worked at PeaceHealth St. Joe’s since 1996. “Shame on them for that misleading statement. Their offer was a 4-year contract averaging about 3.5% a year on the lower end –  far short of making our wages competitive enough to retain and recruit needed staff and far short of keeping up with the cost of living.”

In a statement, Kashyup was frank about the financial situation facing workers at St. Joe’s. “The CNAs are in tears when I talk to them. They can’t afford activities for their kids. A one-bedroom in this area is at least $1,400.  Some are moving in with their parents. Some can’t afford housing and other basic needs like food. We restock a pantry at the hospital several times a week.”

“We caregivers would not be outside the hospital, taking on the stress and further financial burden of going on strike if PeaceHealth’s offer was anywhere near adequate. A few cents more an hour is not enough. We had no choice but to strike.”

PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s workers are asking community members to support their call for a contract that prioritizes patient care over corporate profits by signing a petition, calling the PeaceHealth CEO, and donating to the Hardship Fund to help offset financial obligations for striking workers.