After four months negotiating, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center nurses union rally

A call for higher wages brought dozens of PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center nurses, their family members and supporters to Vancouver’s waterfront on Saturday.

Speaking under gray afternoon clouds and drizzling rain, they repeatedly invoked the dangers of the coronavirus pandemic to underscore their value to the community. Union officials contend the hospital isn’t paying enough to retain nurses who are pressured more than ever by COVID-19.

“Our nurses have put their lives on the line – put themselves and their families in harm’s way – doing their job, day in and day out,” said Anne Tan Piazza, of the Washington State Nurses Association.

The union represents about 1,100 registered nurses at the hospital, which is among the busiest on the West Coast. PeaceHealth Southwest Washington is also one of the largest employers in the region.

Negotiations have been underway for four months. Some union officials say talks have not gone as the nurses have hoped. Meanwhile, PeaceHealth officials said in a statement they are meeting the union’s demands.

“Our current proposal would provide competitive terms, immediate improvements for our nurses and address in some way virtually every one of the issues WSNA told us were important to them,” said Debra Carnes, a hospital spokesperson.

It’s not entirely clear where the negotiation gulfs exist. A spokesperson for the union declined to specify where the two sides aren’t in agreement. Carnes did not respond to follow-up questions.

“Instead of getting into specifics, we want to make sure we are continuing to work with the employer in getting to a contract that is fair and that recognizes the work the dedication that our nurses have made especially throughout the pandemic,” Tan Piazza said.

Nurses at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center have butted heads with top brass over the past year. When the deadly virus began appearing in Washington state in February 2020, nurses vented about a lack of precautions taken by the hospital administrators.

At the rally, speakers and union leaders called on the hospital to provide stronger wages and said the pandemic had pushed many nurses to quit the hospital or leave the profession entirely.

“I’m also a mom, a wife, and I struggle staying at a facility that does not value me and the skills I proudly deliver every shift,” said Didi Gray, a registered nurse and co-chair of the local union.

The union and hospital administrators have already met for 13 bargaining sessions. Tan Piazza declined to specify what sort of actions the nurses may take, such as a strike, in the future. The union represents about 1,100 nurses, but Tan Piazza also declined to say how many are dues-paying members.

“I would emphasize we’re hopeful and looking forward to additional discussions with the employer to reach a fair contract,” she said.

Nurses and medical staff elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest have already gone on strike for higher wages from hospitals. In Bend, medical technicians, technologists and therapists picketed for nearly a month before winning their first contract with the St. Charles Health System.

The pandemic has highlighted the value of the medical professionals and frontline health care workers throughout the country, Tan Piazza said.

“I think that we have had an awakening in recognizing the importance of not only providing safe working conditions for our nurses and healthcare workers,” she said.

Members of local teachers unions and the local longshore union also joined the rally Saturday to wave signs in solidarity. The Washington State Labor Council also made an appearance through Shannon Walker, the Southwest Washington representative.

“The unions are family,” Walker told the crowd. “Whether it’s fighting for safe working conditions or up in Olympia fighting for meals and rest breaks for nurses, or whether it’s standing behind you now for a fair contract.”