SPOKANE, Wash. — On Monday afternoon, around 500 Providence healthcare workers went on a strike that is expected to last over a week.
The strike involves hundreds of technicians at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center who work side by side with surgeons and provide imaging, respiratory and psychiatric care. The strike means that they will not be treating patients through the end of the month.
The technicians are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) 3000 union representing the technicians. They say this strike is based on unfair labor practice what they are calling unlawful labor practices during negotiations.
The latest union technician contract with Providence expired last year and contract negotiations have been ongoing since November. After both sides could not come to an agreement, UFCW 3000 voted to strike on April 12.
Providence will remain open and all services will be available at the hospital during the duration of the strike.
During a press conference last weekend, Providence officials said they were focused on making preparations to still serve the community during the strike. They are working with an agency to bring in temporary workers to provide needed care during the strike.
Over the weekend, they installed a fence around parts of the campus in preparation for the strike.
The strike began at 2 p.m. on Monday. It is set to last through Tuesday, April 30.
At the end of the month, both sides are expected to continue negotiations.
WATCH RELATED: Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center workers prepare for strike