SPOKANE, Wash. – The MultiCare Health System has reached an agreement that was presented to Spokane Valley and Deconess Hospital for registered nurses and other healthcare workers.
In an announcement the company said, “We are pleased to have reached an agreement that reflects the high value we place on our employees and allows us to continue to provide exceptional care for our patients.”
This comes after SEIU Healthcare 1199NW workers threatened a strike due to a variety of issues concerning short staffing, retention, recruitment and wages.
A Certified Nursing Assistant at Deaconess Hospital spoke on the strike and the issues they face ““We don’t want to strike but we will if we have to. Despite our repeated appeals at the bargaining table and taking action in our departments and units, MultiCare executives have neglected to engage in good faith bargaining or listen to the insights of frontline staff.” said Shawn Crawford.
Over 1,400 of the workers had prepared to strike for a 7-day response to the “bad faith bargaining” from the company.
MultiCare Health Systems said on Monday they are reaching out to the union with details on the ratification vote.
