LOCAL
300 healthcare workers picket for good wages, stable benefits
“We’re proud of the work we do, but it’s incredibly hard to do it safely under the pressure of low pay and inconsistent discipline.”
PIERCE CO., WA (January 29, 2026) — With more than 15 bargaining sessions under their belt, Community Health Care (CHC) workers across Pierce County took to the street for informational pickets on Tuesday, calling on CHC to recruit and retain staff at these critical medical facilities by settling a fair contract. The workers, members of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, waved signs and marched outside seven CHC clinics, supported by community allies.
“We’re calling on management to negotiate in good faith and ensure our patients have a secure and stable workforce they can trust and rely on for high-quality care at their community clinics, especially in these tumultuous political times,” said Dorothy Challenger, Lead Dental Assistant in Spanaway and a member of the union bargaining team. “We’re proud of the work we do, but it’s incredibly hard to do it safely under the pressure of low pay and inconsistent discipline.”
Community Health Care workers pose for a photo during their informational picket on Tuesday. Photo: SEIU Healthcare 1199NW
Community Health Care is a Federally Qualified Health Center, providing a lifeline of medical care in Pierce County.
“The FQHC patient population includes people who are especially vulnerable due to immigration status, income level, and other factors that contribute to poor health outcomes,” said Yolanda Kennedy-Kambarami, a Patient Services Representative in Puyallup and a member of the union bargaining team. “These clinics are a safety net for our neighbors and community members. Retaining trusted staff who can meet patients’ complex and cultural needs is essential right now.”
Despite more than a dozen bargaining sessions, the workers and CHC management remain far apart on key issues, including wages, benefits, and discipline, reports SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.
“Management’s current wage proposal is 0.5% for the vast majority of the workforce, far below the $25 hourly starting wage that is standard for healthcare workers in the area and necessary to keep up with the cost of living in Tacoma and reduce staff turnover,” said the union in a news release. “Healthcare workers also report an increase in disciplinary actions against union members and retaliation by managers toward union delegates.”
Workers also report that administrators have eroded medical and retirement benefits since the last contract, per Local 1199NW.
The bargaining unit includes licensed practical nurses, coding compliance specialists, community health workers, dental assistants, medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, professional health billers, dental and medical receptionists, sterilizing technicians, patient navigators, patient service representatives, and other job classes — all part of the care teams providing direct services to patients.
After their successful pickets, CHC clinic workers will continue to fight for a strong contract that invests in patient care.