BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Unionized healthcare workers at PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Medical Center have authorized a strike.
Kenia Escobar, communications director for Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare 1199NW, confirmed to My Bellingham Now that workers in the service and tech units voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike on Tuesday, April 8.
The bargaining team at the Bellingham hospital can now call for one in the future.
No date has been set for the strike.
Escobar said the workers are required to present a 10-day notice to their employer before the strike starts.
My Bellingham Now previously reported that wages, medical benefits and safety issues due to short staffing have contributed to issues with creating a new contract.
