PORT ANGELES — More than 100 health care workers and their supporters marched along Lincoln Street in Port Angeles last week urging Olympic Medical Center to settle a contract with union workers.
The “put patients first” twilight vigil at Veterans Park on Thursday was organized by Service Employes International Union Healthcare 1199 NW.
SEIU represents more than 300 registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, emergency room technicians, dietary workers, housekeeping staff and others at the Port Angeles hospital.
OMC and the union have been in talks for a new three-year contract for more than a year.
Union members have stressed that they have two key issues with OMC’s proposed contract — affordable health care for their dependants and guaranteed staffing levels.
SEIU spokeswoman Linnae Riesen said affordable health care is “still on the table, and it is still an issue.”
“But tonight is about the patient piece and safe staffing for the community,” Riesen said.
“We wanted to take a stand together to show the community’s support and concern.”
Community members, other unions and Clallam County MoveOn took part in the community vigil.
Andrea Radich of Port Angeles was there to show her support for the nurses.
“The nurses are trying to put patients first, and this is important to our community,” Radich said.
“We all use that hospital.”
Staffing important
Radich, who is not affiliated with SEIU, said OMC should be spending its money on staff rather than expensive buildings and machines.
“If they don’t have adequate staffing they may not be able to take care of me,” Radich said.
“They need adequate staffing. . . . People are really concerned.”
Riesen said the community support for SEIU workers has been “great to see.”
“It’s very reassuring to know that people value the health care they receive in the community and are willing to step up to say this is a priority,” Riesen said.
Picketers held signs with slogans like “stand up for safe staffing,” “be fair to nurses and health care workers,” and “join a union now.”
Picketers marched up and down the sidewalk to chants of “What do we want? Fair contracts! When do we want them? Now!”
SEIU threatened an 18-hour walkout at the hospital in August.
A court eventually ruled that the walkout was illegal because the union members are public employees.
OMC settled its final contract with the five bargaining units of United Food and Commercial Workers 21 in October.
OMC officials have repeatedly said the health care benefits shared by management and the 374 UFCW workers are the same as proposed for SEIU employees.
Offered ‘fair contract’
“Olympic Medical Center has offered a fair contract to all SEIU members, including at-market benefits and pension that are currently provided to all executives, management and all other staff members, including UFCW union members, at Olympic Medical,” said OMC Chief Executive Officer Eric Lewis in a statement.
“The issue is Olympic Medical has in the past offered above-market benefits, and SEIU doesn’t want us to change that; however, we simply cannot afford to offer above-market benefits due to decreasing government reimbursement, higher uncompensated care costs and other economic forces.
“The candlelight vigil held by SEIU focused on ‘safe staffing’ levels.
“At Olympic Medical Center, patients are our No. 1 priority.
“Our staffing levels have and will always put patients first. SEIU’s ‘safe staffing’ is simply a bargaining tactic.
“During negotiations between SEIU and other hospitals in the state, the union has dropped its ‘safe staffing’ initiative when its members received the wages and benefits they desired.”
OMC will continue to meet with SEIU, Lewis said.
Another mediation session is planned for Monday.
Contracts are on the table for consideration.
SEIU Healthcare 1199NW represents about 22,000 nurses, health care employees and mental health workers statewide.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
