SPOKANE, Wash. — Five-hundred union health care workers at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center will go on strike starting Monday, April 22.
That means technicians who work side-by-side with surgeons and provide imaging, respiratory and psychiatric care won't be treating patients through the end of the month.
The union representing the technicians, UFCW 3000, said the "unfair labor practice" strike is based on what it's calling Providence's unfair and unlawful labor practices during negotiations.
The latest union technician contract with Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center is expired. The union said contract negotiations have been ongoing since November. During those negotiations, the union claims Providence imposed changes to schedules and working conditions outside the bargaining process. Something the union said undermines workers' ability to negotiate and reach a fair contract.
"Providence workers are authorizing the second unfair labor practice strike in six months," Faye Guenther, President of UFCW 3000 said in a Wednesday press conference. "What is going on with Providence? What is going on with Providence?"
Hundreds of technicians will walk the picket line outside Providence Sacred Heart every day until the end of the month.
"I love caring for people and I don't want to go on strike" Teresa Bowden, respiratory therapist said. "We would all rather be with our patients. But at this point, it seems like we have no other choice."
Providence Chief Executive Susan Stacey said they were negotiating hours before the union voted to strike. Now instead of continuing negotiations, Providence says it's focusing on preparations to still serve the community during the strike.
"The proposal we put forth, is a market competitive proposal that will allow us to continue to recruit and retain the staff that we need," Stacey said.
According to Stacey, Providence is working with an agency to bring in temporary workers to provide the care that's needed to get through the strike.
"I look forward to welcoming them back to provide the safe quality care that they do every day," Stacey said.
When the strike ends on April 30, Providence says it intends to resume negotiations. When they do, the union said it's asking for higher pay, which they believe will solve current staffing struggles with retention and recruitment.
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