Bellingham PeaceHealth workers to picket this week in a call for improved wages and safety
Health care workers at Bellingham’s PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center will picket on Thursday, Jan. 9, as their union calls for higher pay and other work benefits.
“After holding 12 bargaining sessions, the two sides remain far apart on issues related to livable wages and premium pay, safety issues stemming from short staffing, and medical benefits,” a Jan. 7 news release from SEIU Healthcare 1199NW states.
Almost 1,000 workers who are part of the union are pledged to picket from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to “call on their employer to invest in quality patient care, and staff recruitment and retention by settling a strong union contract,” according to the news release.
The unionized health care workers include imaging technicians, lab assistants, technologists, patient access representatives, certified nursing assistants and more from St. Joseph Medical Center.
The picket is open to the public, and the union is asking community members to join the picket line and learn more about the contract negotiations.
The picket will occur outside PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, 2901 Squalicum Pkwy in Bellingham.
SEIU Health care 1199NW union represents more than 35,000 health care workers throughout Washington and Montana.
This story was originally published January 7, 2025 at 2:42 PM.
