SPOKANE, Wash—Around 500 technical workers at Providence Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane are on strike for eight days. They want to convince the hospital to give them better pay and benefits.
The strike officially started Monday at 2 p.m., when the hospital’s 500 technical workers walked out and began picketing their employer.
Fay Guenther, President of UFCW3000, said Providence stopped coming to the table after they gave their mandatory 10-day strike notice.
“There is no reason for us to be out here on the street. Providence is actually refusing to engage with us, and they’re breaking the law by doing so,” said Guenther.
According to our partners at the Spokesman-Review, Providence last offered an across-the-board raise of 7% to close to 10% and further increases based on different job types. However, Guenther said it doesn’t look like they will come to the table soon.
“I just spoke to the union negotiator, and he is out there smoking cigarettes and he could be negotiating with us.”
In a statement, Sacred Heart said they were clear about their position and, in part, said.
“We do not bargain once we receive strike notice…Sacred Heart Medical Center will remain open throughout the duration of the strike. We will continue to provide the safe and excellent care that our hospital is known for.”
Shane Sullivan, a pediatric cardiac sonographer who has been at Providence for 25 years and a member of the bargaining team, said Monday’s stroke lets Providence know that they are serious.
“We are here to stand up for doing what we need to do to be able to retain and recruit people,” said Sullivan.
Guenther said that the ball is in Providence’s court, “Providence needs to figure out how to sit down and have a conversation with us.”
