Informational Picketing by Registered Nurses at St. Joseph Medical Center to Demand a Fair Contract During Stalled Negotiation Process

Informational Picketing by Registered Nurses at St. Joseph Medical Center to
Demand a Fair Contract During Stalled Negotiation Process

Attention: Health care and business editors

What: Informational picketing by registered nurses at St. Joseph Medical
Center to demand a fair contract during stalled negotiation process

When: Friday, November 13th from 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Where: In front of St. Joseph's Medical Center at South 19th Street and J
Street in Tacoma.

Why: Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), representing more than 1,000
registered nurses at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, will hold an
informational picket on Friday to demand a fair contract from hospital
administration. During six negotiation sessions, little progress has been
made, and the administration is proposing numerous reductions to the existing
benefits and health care package.

Nurses are demanding respect and recognition through a fair contract from St.
Joseph Medical Center. During this growing nursing shortage, competitive
benefits and salaries are critical in nursing recruitment and retention. The
picket will serve as a wake-up call to the hospital administration and
demonstrate that nurses are willing to stand up for quality and safe patient
care.

WSNA is also concerned that the administration's proposed changes to the sick
leave policy will discourage nurses from taking time off when they are sick.
The new policy is a step backwards and is especially alarming during this
pandemic flu season when the CDC is recommending that employers make their
sick leave policies more accommodating, not less.

Visuals: Hundreds of registered nurses holding picket signs, chanting,
handing out informational flyers and lining the streets outside of St. Joseph
Medical Center.

Interviews: Opportunities for media interviews include registered nurses from
St. Joseph Medical Center.

Founded in 1908, WSNA is the professional organization representing more than
16,000 registered nurses in Washington State. WSNA effectively advocates for
the improvement of health standards and availability of quality health care
for all people; promotes high standards for the nursing profession; and
advances the professional and economic development of nurses.

CONTACT: Anne Tan Piazza, +1-206-459-6409, apiazza@wsna.org, or Lillie
Cridland, +1-206-854-7911, lcridland@wsna.org, both of Washington State Nurses
Association

/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Nov. 12/

SOURCE Washington State Nurses Association