Still no contract for Providence nurses

EVERETT — After six months of negotiation, contract talks between Providence Regional Medical Center Everett and 1,400 registered nurses remain deadlocked.

The two sides have been unable to come to an agreement despite working with a federal mediator.

Tuesday afternoon, nurses plan informational picketing on the hospital’s two Everett campuses. A rally is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the main hospital at 1700 13th Ave.

Union representatives say the major issue is a need for more staffing. Like other metro Puget Sound hospitals, Providence has seen significant increases in the number of people hospitalized and emergency room patients.

Providence says it has added about 80 nurses since January to help meet demand.

The nurses are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers union. At the rally Tuesday, they are expected to be joined by Everett firefighters and representatives from two big Boeing unions, the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), said UFCW spokesman Tom Geiger.

“We’re not on strike,” Geiger said. “There hasn’t been a recommendation for a strike vote yet. But an informational picket is sort of one step short of that.”

Danielle Percival, a union member who works as a head nurse on the night shift, said neither side in the dispute wants a strike. Percival said she hopes the union events Tuesday help convince the hospital that the community supports the nurses.

Barbara Hyland-Hill, Providence’s chief nursing officer, said the hospital “will do everything in our power to avoid a strike.”

Anyone needing health services at the hospital shouldn’t be concerned that the contract dispute will affect their care, Hyland-Hill said.

The nurses’ contract expired Oct. 31. There have been 15 negotiating sessions and several temporary contract extensions, the last of which expired Feb. 27. The union had hoped for a breakthrough during a negotiating session earlier this month, Geiger said. “Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”

No additional bargaining sessions have been scheduled, but a federal mediator has been asked to set a date for more talks, Hyland-Hill said.

The union has suggested having someone from outside the hospital help mediate staffing issues. The hospital feels it has measures in place to address the issues in a timely way, Hyland-Hill said.

“This is really about collaboration with our nurses.”

The hospital has offered three years of wage increases. Nurses would get a about a 5.5 percent raise the first year, about 5.25 percent the second year and about 5.5 percent the third year.

Percival said union members generally are satisfied with that offer.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen gives his State of the City address on Thursday, March 20 in Edmonds, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor talks budget at 2025 State of the City

Mayor Mike Rosen discussed the city’s deficit and highlights from his first year in office.

Public’s help needed to find missing Arlington man

The 21-year-old left the house Sunday night without his shoes, cell phone or a jacket, and was reported missing the following morning.

The Marysville Tulalip Campus on the Tulalip Reservation, where Legacy High School is located. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Marysville board votes to keep Legacy High at current location

The move rolls back a decision the school board made in January to move the alternative high school at the start of next school year.

The former Marysville City Hall building along State Avenue on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
City of Marysville, school board amend property exchange

The city will relocate its public works facility to the district’s current headquarters, which will move to the former City Hall.

Snohomish County Elections employees Alice Salcido, left and Joseph Rzeckowski, right, pull full bins of ballots from the Snohomish County Campus ballot drop box on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County to mail ballots for Edmonds, Brier elections

Registered voters should receive their ballots by April 9 for the April 22 special election.

A stormwater diversion structure which has been given a notice for repairs along a section of the Perrinville Creek north of Stamm Overlook Park that flows into Browns Bay in Edmonds, Washington on Thursday, July 18, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Edmonds Hearing Examiner decides on Perrinville Creek saga

The examiner revoked the city’s Determination of Non-Significance, forcing Edmonds to address infrastructure issues on the creek

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Our Lady of Hope Fr. Joseph Altenhofen outside of his parish’s building that will be the new home of Hope ‘N Wellness on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Hope ‘N Wellness location to open Wednesday in Everett

Our Lady of Hope Church will host the social service organization at 2617 Cedar St. in Everett.

Amtrak Cascades train 517 to Portland departs from Everett Station on Saturday, Sep. 2, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Limited train service to resume on Amtrak Cascades

Trains will have less capacity for now, but service is expected to resume for some routes as early as Tuesday.

Marysville
Police: 66-year-old Marysville man dead from fatal stabbing

A neighbor found the man unconscious on the sidewalk as the result of an apparent stabbing. Police said they are looking for suspects.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Driver, suspected of DUI, hits WSP vehicle on I-5 near Everett

The trooper was blocking the HOV lane for a previous collision when his vehicle was struck Saturday morning.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.