Seattle Children's nurses vote overwhelmingly to authorize strike
BY JASON SUTICH
Content Editor
Registered nurses with Seattle Children’s Hospital voted overwhelmingly Monday to authorize a strike, according to a news release from Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), the union representing 2,100 registered nurses at the hospital.
Nurses are calling for better wages aligned with market rates, improved premiums for night shifts and hard-to-fill roles, additional sick leave, and the preservation of rest and meal breaks. WSNA has also filed several unfair labor practice charges against Seattle Children’s, accusing the hospital of threatening retaliation against union supporters, barring nurses with children from observing bargaining sessions, and unilaterally changing working conditions.
WSNA noted the voting results came as the nurses were sharing their proposal with the hospital. If the hospital doesn’t come forward with a fair contract, the bargaining team will request approval from the Labor Executive Council for WSNA to give the hospital 10 days’ notice of a strike, as required by law.
A Seattle Children’s spokesperson responded with a statement to KIRO Newsradio.
Nurses at Seattle Children’s are vital members of the team and play an important role in providing the highest level of care to patient families.
Seattle Children’s is committed to being a leader in total compensation (pay, benefits) in the Puget Sound region and must also prioritize financial stewardship in the face of potentially devastating economic headwinds, including significant federal and state cuts and taxes.
Seattle Children’s remains dedicated to working collaboratively with the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) to reach a fair agreement as soon as possible,” the spokesperson wrote.
https://mynorthwest.com/local/seattle-childrens-nurses-vote-strike/4177443?lid=0kbey7wv49dx