Strike Looms for Providence St. Peter Hospital in Washington

The union representing more than 500 workers at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Wash., has notified hospital officials that they are set to strike in 10 days if a new contract agreement is not reached, according to a News Tribune report.

Service Employees International Union 1199NW is set to strike for five days beginning March 11.

At root of the potential strike is a disagreement over employees' healthcare plans. A new healthcare plan went into place Jan. 1, in which employees can choose from three options: a health savings account, health reimbursement account and a more traditional health plan offered through non-profit health plan Group Health Cooperative.

Employees are frustrated because the HSA and HRA replace a more traditional health plan. They are used to having the choice of two Group Health plans, according to the report.

The union represents health unit coordinators and dietary and housekeeping workers.

A hospital spokesperson said the organization "would like to get back to the bargaining table and resolve this," according to the report.

More Articles on Hospitals and Unions:

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UPMC Negotiating Settlement for NLRB Complaint

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