Ready to strike: Workers at Swedish Medical Center to announce results of vote

MEDIA ADVISORY:
Tues., Nov. 12, 2019

CONTACT:
Amy Clark
amyc@seiu1199nw.org
425.306.2061

READY TO STRIKE: NURSES AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS AT SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER TO ANNOUNCE RESULTS OF STRIKE VOTE NOV. 15
SEIU Healthcare 1199NW caregivers join thousands across state ready to strike against Providence

WHO: Nurses and healthcare workers from SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, Washington State Nurses Association and UFCW 21 at Swedish Medical Center and other Providence-owned hospitals

WHAT: Press conference announcing results of strike authorization vote at Swedish Medical Center and detailing the patient safety concerns driving 15,000 Providence caregivers statewide to consider a strike.

WHEN: Friday, November 15, 11:45 a.m.

WHERE: Swedish Medical Center First Hill Campus: 747 Broadway, Seattle. Rain location: Boylston Place Park, 815 Broadway, Seattle. 

Please RSVP to Amy Clark at amyc@seiu1199nw.org.

SEATTLE—The nurses and healthcare workers of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW at Swedish Medical Center will announce the results of their strike authorization vote on Friday.

Nurses and other healthcare workers who are members of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW say they believe that providing the best quality care is no longer Swedish-Providence’s top priority. Instead, they say they have seen drastic changes at Swedish-Providence, which prioritize executive pay, profits and expansion above the needs of patients. And while caregivers have made sorely needed proposals to improve staffing levels, increase safety for patients and create a culture of equity and inclusion for workers and patients alike, Swedish-Providence has not bargained in good faith or taken seriously the issues raised.

At the press conference announcing the vote, caregivers from Swedish-Providence will be joined by their coworkers across the Providence system from UFCW 21 and the Washington State Nurses Association. Healthcare workers representing each union will share their concerns about patient care and working conditions at their facilities. The three unions represent over 15,000 nurses and other healthcare workers across Washington State.

In addition to concerns about their employer’s commitment to safe care, caregivers at Swedish-Providence believe the hospital has committed multiple unfair labor practices, such as termination of workers for union activity, retaliation for protected union activity, and a failure to provide information necessary for bargaining.

SEIU Healthcare 1199NW’s collective bargaining agreement with Swedish Medical Center expired June 30, 2019, and was extended through the end of July. Bargaining has been ongoing since April, and workers picketed in August.

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SEIU Healthcare 1199NW is a union of nurses and healthcare workers with over 30,000 caregivers throughout hospitals, clinics, mental health, skilled home health and hospice programs in Washington State and Montana. SEIU Healthcare 1199NW’s mission is to advocate for quality care and good jobs for all.