Sacred Heart nurses closer to striking after another failed negotiation

Negotiations between unionized nurses and Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center will continue after the two parties failed to reach an overall agreement on a new contract during federally mediated negotiation sessions that ended Friday.

The two side have been trying for nearly a year to agree to a new contract. Last month, more than 1,900 Sacred Heart nurses represented by the Washington State Nurses Association voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike.

Service and maintenance workers at Sacred Heart have also authorized a strike after failed contract negotiations.

The nurses and Providence administrators are working to schedule another mediation session, a WSNA press release said.

The release also said, “Sacred Heart nurses continue strike preparation, including building and training strike committees.”