MultiCare Parkland healthcare workers will strike

Workers striking in response to repeated unfair labor practices, blatant disrespect by MultiCare over past year

TACOMA, WA – Approximately 75 healthcare workers at MultiCare Emergency Parkland will begin a five-day unfair labor practice (ULP) strike on Monday, June 30, at 12:01 a.m. The workers, who are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), are striking in response to more than a dozen illegal actions by MultiCare violating workers’ basic organizing rights, including bargaining in bad faith and retaliating against employees.

Workers won their union in 2024. In the year since, MultiCare has committed at least 14 ULPs, including withholding standard status quo raises given at other off-campus emergency departments (OCED), denying union representatives workplace access, illegally interrogating workers, and bargaining in bad faith by refusing to negotiate multiple critical contract articles, per the union.

Delaying progress in negotiations and intimidating workers are commonly viewed as management tactics to bust a union and break worker power. These actions by MultiCare, a company funded by private equity firm Emerus, have contributed to significant staff attrition. 120 healthcare workers formed the bargaining unit at certification; that number has dropped to around 75 today.

“MultiCare has intentionally made negotiations difficult from day one. The first ULP was filed immediately after certification because we were and continue to be denied basic access to our membership at the facility,” said Brandon Hemming, IAM Lead Negotiator, in a statement. “I’ve negotiated for over a decade, and I’ve never sat across the table from someone with such blatant disregard and a real aversion for reaching a fair agreement. Shawn, MultiCare’s lead negotiator, continuously throws up roadblocks.”

The Parkland facility is one of the busiest OCED location within MultiCars. Healthcare workers face unique challenges, handling significant trauma patient volumes without direct hospital support.

“Our demands are clear: MultiCare must immediately stop breaking the law and bargain fairly,” said Beth Bergeon, IAM Business Representative. “This strike is about respect, safety, and dignity—not just for our workers, but for the community we serve.”

Workers, fellow union members, elected officials, and community allies will gather for a rally marking the start of the strike Monday morning outside the facility. The strike is slated to continue through July 4.

TAKE A STAND: rally with striking workers on Monday, June 30 at 8:00 a.m. at Multicare Emergency – Parkland (14815 Pacific Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98444).