Healthcare workers at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham took the biggest action we can take for our families and our patients — withholding our labor in a five-day unfair labor practice strike.
We didn’t want to strike, but PeaceHealth has shown us they won’t move on their own. We’re standing our ground for a contract with meaningful wage increases, safe staffing, and benefits we can count on.
As healthcare workers, we know best what we need to make our workplace thrive, not just barely survive.
We are honored to have been on strike alongside our colleagues at UAPD (Union of American Physicians and Dentists) who are receiving the same treatment and lack of progress from PeaceHealth at the bargaining table. Our nurse colleagues united in WSNA (Washington State Nurses Association) are also in bargaining with PeaceHealth, and rallied alongside us on Thursday. Our tri-union solidarity makes us unstoppable.
HUGE SHOUT OUT to all the community leaders, elected officials, and other unions who stood by our side throughout the week. You showed us that Whatcom cares for healthcare workers!
State Senator Sharon Shewmake, 42nd LD
State Rep. Alicia Rule, 42nd LD
State Rep. Joe Timmons, 42nd LD
Whatcom County Council Member Jon Scanlon
Bellingham City Councilor Michael Lilliquist
Bellingham City Council Member Jace Cotton
Whatcom County Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 106
UFCW 3000 members from Whidbey Health and Providence Regional Medical Center
We closed out our unfair labor practice strike at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham with a powerful rally, fired up by coworkers, our siblings from UAPD and WSNA, community, and elected leaders all standing with us before we headed back to work Saturday morning.
We’re ready to roll up our sleeves at our next bargaining sessions in June and hope that PeaceHealth is ready to move and get this contract done. We’re united, we’re strong, and we’re ready to win a contract that puts patients over profits and respects the caregivers who keep Whatcom healthy!
