The nurses rejected an offer from the Catholic Healthcare Initiatives Franciscan healthcare system June 13, the second time they have rejected such an offer.
Over 1,100 St. Joseph nurses have been working without a contract since November 2018 due to ongoing negotiations. They are represented by the Washington State Nurses Association and are demanding raises and back pay for the months they’ve worked without a contract. They also want staffing reforms and say nurse shortages may be putting patients in danger.
Federal law requires the WSNA to give the hospital 10 days’ notice before a strike. Both the hospital and the WSNA have said they will take steps to ensure continued patient safety and quality care if the strike moves forward.
“We are disappointed that we have now twice reached a tentative agreement on this contract, both endorsed and recommended by the nursing union, yet rejected by the nurses,” Cary Evans, CHI Franciscan health system’s vice president of communications and government affairs, told The News Tribune. He said CHI Franciscan is dedicated to providing a safe environment for patients and staff.
The WSNA is willing to continue negotiations and hopes it will not have to resort to a strike, said Ruth Schubert, communications director for the union.
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