PRMCE RNs Nurses overwhelmingly vote to authorize a strike!

“Today we showed that nurses are united for patients’ safety and safe staffing. Providence needs to improve their proposals and show that they care about their nursing staff and patients and the community.” - Our Union RN Bargaining Team 

Today we have taken a unified stance by unanimously authorizing a strike and voting against PRMCE’s latest proposal. We turned out for each other and our community- 97% of nurses who voted authorized a strike and voted down PRMCE’s proposal.  This strike authorization empowers our RN UFCW 3000 bargaining team to call for a strike if deemed necessary. It's important to recognize that a strike represents not just a pause in our work but a collective assertion of our rights and the well-being of our patients.

We are prepared to take this action in response to PRMCE's unfair labor practice, which involve bargaining in bad faith. Our initial step will be to request another bargaining session from PRMCE and if we are unable to reach a recommended offer on that date, we will issue a 10-day strike notice when we deem strategic. Federal law mandates this notice  to ensure that patient care remains unharmed. The mere act of strike authorization itself is a forceful message, compelling Providence to reevaluate their position and acknowledge our proposals.

Our primary demand is that PRMCE engage in good-faith bargaining and cease obstructing the negotiation process. The possibility of averting a strike rests on Providence's ability to present a contract agreement that meets our needs, including provisions for safe staffing accountability, night shift nurse longevity, community responsibility, competitive wage increases, recognition for years of experience, 12-month step progression, and retention bonuses.

During a ULP  strike, we will refrain from reporting to all of our assigned shifts and PRMCE is prohibited by law from hiring permanent replacements. We will strike for a designated amount of days and this will be communicated to all nurses and the Community in a 10 day notice that will include all logistical details and next steps.

All nurses are eligible to strike, including fellows, residents, per diem, and probationary nurses. Nurses who volunteer for strike duty for at least 20 hours per week will be eligible for Union strike benefits of $500. Strike checks will be mailed to nurses’ addresses on file. Additionally, UFCW 3000 maintains a hardship fund to assist members facing particularly challenging financial situations. It is crucial to ensure that your contact information, including email, cell phone, and address, is up to date with the Union to receive updates and vote notices >>

In the coming weeks, be prepared that PRMCE will likely  continue to send intimidating communications, hold meetings, send video messages, post for travel nurses, and put out public notices to the media. STAY UNITED- our participation and unity is what will win safer staffing for us, the next generation of nurses and our patients. It is vital to remember that we have the right to strike- and that our Community is standing with us. If you have questions or would like to sign up to be a Strike Captain on your unit, please notify Union Representative, Anthony Cantu, 206-436-6566.

Open Strike Captain meetings will be held every Tuesday night at 8pm over zoom until we reach an agreement- please join us!

It is important that we stand in solidarity and continue fighting for a contract which will improve staffing, patient safety, and the future of our profession