Contract ratified at PeaceHealth St. Joseph

Healthcare workers in service and tech job classes secured major raises, workplace protections, and staffing improvements after a historic strike

BELLINGHAM, WA (September 19, 2025) — Following 10 months of bargaining, an informational picket, and a historic five-day strike in May, healthcare workers united in SEIU Healthcare 1199NW at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham voted to ratify a new contract that delivers major gains in wages, benefits, and workplace protections.

In a statement, workers celebrated the contract win and their sustained solidarity throughout negotiations.

“This contract is proof of what we can accomplish when we stand strong together for a common cause,” said Ramon Castellanos, respiratory therapist and member of the union bargaining team. “Our persistence and unity brought real improvements that benefit both workers and the people of Whatcom County. We weren’t given this contract by PeaceHealth executives, we fought hard and sacrificed our time, efforts, and in many cases our time off, to make this possible.”

Members of the PeaceHealth St. Joe’s bargaining team. Photo: SEIU Healthcare 1199NW

For months, PeaceHealth workers organized dozens of actions in their workplace and mobilized strong community support. SEIU Healthcare 1199NW credits their determination for securing significant improvements over management’s original proposals, sending a clear message that investing in frontline caregivers must be a priority for this healthcare corporation.

The fight for a fair contract came as PeaceHealth reported $77.5 million in profit in 2024, while outgoing CEO Liz Dunne’s compensation reached $3.3 million in 2023. At the same time, many caregivers struggled to make ends meet. Workers created a mutual aid donation system called “Purple Pantry” to address food insecurity among coworkers, underscoring that when PeaceHealth fails to support its workforce, caregivers step up to support one another.

The ratified agreement delivers critical improvements in pay, benefits, and working conditions, including:

• Workplace protections: uninterrupted breaks, workplace violence prevention measures, anti-discrimination language (including gender identity and language rights), and clear emergency protocols.

• Stronger union rights: expanded communication protections, bulletin board access, and layoff recall rights.

• Pay and benefits: elimination of “ghost steps,” expanded credit for past experience, and new premiums and differentials, including higher evening, night, standby, lead, and float pay.

• Raises and market adjustments: across-the-board increases each year, with total raises ranging from 14% to nearly 34% over four years. Job classes currently on the lower end of the wage scale will reach at least $24/hour.

For example, a CNA currently earning $24.58/hour will see their pay rise to $32.44/hour by February 2029, an annual increase of more than $16,000. A Surgical Technologist currently making $36.67/hour will reach $49.44/hour by September 2028, an annual increase of over $21,600.

“St. Joseph is the only hospital in Whatcom County. Our community heavily relies on us to be here and ready to care for them, and we are part of that community, too.” said Robin Growden, lab assistant and member of the bargaining team. “This is why livable wages matter. They matter for us and our families, but also for the patients who need experienced staff to stay in this community.”

Healthcare workers and supporters on the strike line in May. Photo: SEIU Healthcare 1199NW

Community members played a key role in the campaign, showing strong support for healthcare workers during their strike and throughout negotiations. Hundreds of neighbors signed petitions, displayed yard signs, called PeaceHealth executives, and donated to the Hardship Fund to assist workers.

“I am so proud of the unity and courage shown by these service and tech workers at PeaceHealth St. Joseph. This agreement is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when healthcare workers stand together and take action,” said Jane Hopkins, RN, president of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW. “This contract is a victory for every patient and community member in Whatcom who depends on them.”

SEIU Healthcare 1199NW is a union of nurses and healthcare workers with over 37,000 caregivers throughout hospitals, clinics, mental health, skilled home health and hospice programs in Washington state and Montana. Learn more at seiu1199nw.org.