Editor’s Note: Story updated at 10:38 a.m. on April 8, 2025, to correct a sourcing error. MBN regrets the error.

BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A potential strike is looming for hundreds of unionized healthcare workers in Bellingham.

Kenia Escobar, communications director for Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare 1199NW, confirmed that workers at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center are currently voting to authorize a strike.

The union is made up of more than 900 service workers, lab assistants and imaging technicians at PeaceHealth.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that wages, medical benefits and safety issues stemming from short staffing are all sticking points in the union’s effort for a new contract. The strike authorization vote will end on the evening of Tuesday, April 8 and results are expected to be announced on Wednesday.

Amy Drury, a spokesperson for PeaceHealth, told My Bellingham Now in a statement that they’re disappointed by the union’s decision to vote on authorizing a strike.

“While SEIU 1199NW holding a strike authorization vote does not mean that a strike will necessarily take place, given our offer and commitment, we are disappointed by the union’s decision. We believe our caregivers should be given an opportunity to vote on our offer, which provides competitive terms, including wage increases ranging from 15%-36% over the four-year contract. Our offer includes improvements, no takeaways and we believe addresses the issues SEIU 1199NW told us were important to caregivers,” Drury said.

“During this time, PeaceHealth is taking precautionary and responsible steps to ensure we can deliver the same safe, high-quality care our patients and families have come to expect from us should the strike vote pass and a strike be called by SEIU 1199NW.”