Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center Workers Prepare to Strike
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center Workers Prepare to Strike Over Contract Dispute
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center is facing a potential strike next week as contract negotiations with technical workers have hit a standstill. The United Food and Commercial Workers 3000 union, representing approximately 500 employees including surgery and pharmacy technicians, has announced plans for a weeklong strike from April 22-30 if an agreement is not reached.
The union has cited concerns over short staffing and the need for competitive wages and benefits in the region. Angela Holmes, a member of the bargaining team and a surgical tech at Sacred Heart, emphasized the importance of fair compensation to recruit and retain talented staff.
In response, Providence officials have stated that they are prepared to hire replacement workers to ensure that hospital operations continue without disruption during the strike. They have also highlighted the significant wage increases and contract enhancements offered to workers, which were rejected by the union.
The strike is classified as an “unfair labor practice strike,” with allegations of illegal actions taken by Providence to undermine the bargaining process. The union has filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing Providence of unfair labor practices such as negotiating directly with employees outside of official sessions and restricting access to the strike vote.
This labor action follows a recent dispute at MultiCare Deaconess and Valley hospitals, where a strike was narrowly avoided after workers secured a pay raise. The Sacred Heart union is now calling for similar improvements in salaries at Providence to align with industry standards.
The strike is scheduled to begin on April 22, with workers picketing outside the hospital daily from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Despite the looming strike, Holmes expressed a willingness to continue negotiations and reach a resolution with Providence.
As the community awaits the outcome of the contract dispute, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and quality of care at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center.