MultiCare Contract Ratified with Up to 25% Wage Increase for Health Care Workers

Health care workers at Deaconess and Valley hospitals in Spokane, Washington, have ratified a new contract that includes significant wage increases and other benefits, averting a potential strike.

The new contract, negotiated by the SEIU Healthcare 1199NW union, includes wage increases of up to 25% for some workers at the two MultiCare facilities. The contract will be in place through December 2026.

SEIU Healthcare President Jane Hopkins praised the new contract for bringing the hospitals in line with market rates for health care workers in the area, ensuring that dedicated staff are attracted and retained in the Spokane community.

Approximately 1,400 workers, including tech workers, service workers, and nurses at Valley Hospital, are part of the union and will benefit from the wage increases. Nurses will receive a 13% increase, tech workers will see a 16-18.5% increase, and service workers will receive between 17 and 25.5% increase.

Valley Hospital labor and delivery nurse Callie Allen emphasized the importance of these increases to retain staff and prevent turnover to nearby institutions with higher wages.

In addition to wage increases, the contract includes a new minimum of three hours’ pay for being on call, a provision that was seen as a significant win for workers.

Negotiations for the new contract began in August and nearly resulted in a strike before a deal was reached after 50 hours of negotiation in the final week. The contract was overwhelmingly approved by workers, although specific approval percentages were not provided.

While the new contract is a victory for workers, Hopkins cautioned that MultiCare should strive to lead the community in fair wages and benefits, rather than playing catch-up with other hospitals in the region.

Overall, the new contract represents a significant win for health care workers in Spokane, ensuring fair wages and benefits for years to come.