The physicians, who formed the Pacific Northwest Hospital Medicine Association labor union in 2014, are picketing after more than a year of negotiations with hospital owner Vancounver, Wash.-based PeaceHealth and still no contract.
The hospitalists union said in a statement that members plan to draw attention to patient care and safety at Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend, according to the report.
PeaceHealth expressed disappointment about the picket, telling The Register-Guard it would rather physicians spend that time sitting and meeting with the health system at the bargaining table.
Debra Miller, PeaceHealth vice president of labor and caregiver relations, told the publication that a lot of progress has been made in negotiating the physicians’ first-time contract, and the two sides have reached full agreement on pay and benefits. However, she said issues still to be resolved include a requirement that physicians must be part of the union and pay union dues as a condition for employment, as well as the “management rights” language in the contract.
The picket is scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m. June 23 outside the Springfield hospital.
More articles on workforce and labor management:
Hospitals and unions: 11 recent conflicts, agreements
Massachusetts nurses union: Steward Holy Family Hospital refuses to bargain new contract
Indiana Regional Medical Center nurses to picket
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