EVERETT, Wash. — Nurses at a Snohomish County hospital are planning to strike if a new labor contract is not reached. The current contract expired on Oct. 31, and there is still no labor agreement.
The union that represents Providence Everett nurses, UFCW 3000, said bargaining negotiations will resume Friday.
97% of nurses voted to strike down the latest contract offer from Providence Regional Medical Center Everett (PRMCE). The union said 83% of nurses took part in the vote.
"When you have nurses that are saying that you know things are dire,” registered nurse at PRMCE Dana Robison said.
The union is required to give a 10-day notice if nurses decide to strike.
UFCW 3000 said 600 nurses have left or retired since 2021.
The union said the wages need to be above other area hospitals' current contracts, so they remain competitive for several years. "Put language in our contract that shows they will be willing to hold themselves accountable for a safe level of staffing," Robison said.
PRMCE offered a 13% pay increase to its nurses.
The hospital said it would be prepared for a strike.
“PRMCE respects and supports our caregivers’ legal right to be represented by a union and to make their voices heard. That said, should the union decide to conduct a work stoppage, PRMCE is prepared for a strike. PRMCE will hire highly skilled replacement nurses for the duration of the strike to ensure our community continues to receive the quality care they have come to expect from PRMCE,” the hospital said in a statement.