SPOKANE, Wash. – MultiCare nurses, techs and service workers will see a pay increase after threats of a strike prompted a company response and agreement offer.
The over 1,400 workers at MultiCare Deaconess and Valley Hospitals have now ratified an agreement that will raise the base wages.
This comes after the company offered the agreement on Monday after receiving backlash from workers who went on to plan a 7-day strike back in March.
The agreement ratified will increase wages by more than 13% for nurses, 16-18.5% for techs, and 17-25.5% for service workers over the life of their contracts.
This will also be in addition to any overtime and premium pay they already receive.
The pay will only be for workers in those categories at both the Valley Hospital and Deaconess Hospital.
A nurse that once was rallying support for the planned strike in Spokane made a comment about the new wage agreement.
“Over the last eight months, healthcare workers stayed unified and worked together to secure a strong contract with some of the largest wage increases in our hospitals’ history,” said Shawn Crawford, CNA at Deaconess Hospital.
“These wages will help us recruit, retain, and continue providing quality patient care that our community deserves and be able to take care of our families,” Crawford said.
In addition to the wage increase the workers also received a minimum of three hours’ pay for scheduled or unscheduled call-back.
They also will receive time and a half pay on their entire second shift if they miss their guaranteed rest between shifts.
