In the midst of contract negotiations, registered nurses at Seattle Children's Hospital held an informational picket Tuesday for wages, benefits and paid family leave, according to a KOMO NEWS report.
Seattle Children's contract with the Washington State Nursing Association expired July 31, KOMO reported. Negotiations have been going on since June.
"One of the reasons why we're picketing so much is we can't afford to live in this community," Jenny Botello, a nurse in Seattle Children's medical unit, told KOMO.
In a statement provided to KOMO, Madlyn Murrey, senior vice president and CNO, said, "As a nationally recognized top employer and leader in children's healthcare, we have a long tradition of deeply valuing and supporting our team members. Our nurses at Seattle Children's are vital members of our team who are integral to providing the highest level of care to the patients and families we serve. While we cannot share the details of ongoing negotiations, we are diligently working to make progress and are committed to continuing to work collaboratively with the WSNA in order to reach a fair agreement as soon as possible."