LOCAL
Puget Sound healthcare workers fighting for fair wages
Despite it’s non-profit status, CommonSpirit is throwing money at executive salaries while offering stagnant wages to healthcare workers
PUGET SOUND, WA (June 16, 2025) — Healthcare workers united in SEIU Healthcare 1199NW are calling for community support as they negotiate fair contracts. Despite increasing revenue in Washington state, CommonSpirit — the parent corporation of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is stonewalling on wages that keep up with the cost of living, all while throwing money at high executive salaries and professional sports team sponsorships, per the union.
As it stands, CommonSpirits is effectively negotiating to cut pay for nurses, technical staff, certified nursing assistants, and support staff by refusing to agree to wages that keep up with cost of living and inflation.
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is the result of a merger between CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason. Before the merger, CHI Franciscan operated small community hospitals in Washington state, and Virginia Mason was a “boutique” hospital in the center of Seattle. Now, all of these hospitals are part CommonSpirit Health, one of the largest healthcare systems in the country. CommonSpirit owned hospitals include Virginia Mason Medical Center (Seattle), St. Anne Hospital (Burien), St. Elizabeth Hospital (Enumclaw), St. Joseph Medical Center (Tacoma), and St. Clare Hospital (Lakewood).
CommonSpirit is a Catholic non-profit in name, but the union argues it effectively operates like a for-profit investment firm — paying for its name on the Denver Bronco’s $175 million training facility, paying executive salaries worth over $79 million in one year alone, paying over $30 million in fines for violating the law – and yet it still receives significant tax breaks as a non-profit system.
The union also reports that the revenue-generating healthcare system is spending less on charity care and financial assistance programs in WA, and shutting down clinics like the Viriginia Mason Family Birth Center.
Workers are fighting back, calling on CommonSpirit to stop wasting money on sports teams and cushy executive salaries and instead, to prioritize patient care and invest in healthcare workers.
TAKE A STAND: support SEIU Healthcare 1199NW healthcare workers by signing their petition calling on CommonSpirit to invest in staff and patient care.
CHECK OUT THE UNION DIFFERENCE in Washington: higher wages, affordable health and dental care, job and retirement security.
FIND OUT HOW TO JOIN TOGETHER with your co-workers to negotiate for better wages, benefits, and a voice at work. Or go ahead and contact a union organizer today!
