Providence reaches three-year contract with Sacred Heart technicians who went on strike in the spring

One month after the hospital workers’ strike ended, technical staff at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center have ratified a new contract with Providence.

Hundreds of Sacred Heart employees filled the sidewalks around Spokane’s largest hospital for about a week in late April. Although the striking workers have long since returned to their jobs, a collective bargaining agreement was not reached until earlier this month.

The three-year contract was ratified on June 4 by the 3,000 members of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

“After eight months of nonstop struggle and tremendous effort from our bargaining team and the unification of our entire membership, we have finally finalized our contract with Providence Sacred Heart,” said a UFCW 3000 press release. “The efforts and dedication of our members have produced the best contract we have ever seen for our collective bargaining unit. This is a small victory in the larger fight to have our efforts and skills and our value recognized as caregivers to our families and our community.”

A UFCW 3000 spokesperson did not respond to a request for further information about the employment contract.

In a statement, Providence confirmed a three-year contract.

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration in serving our community,” Providence said in a statement.

Sacred Heart employees covered by the contract include, but are not limited to:

• Surgical technical assistants
• Cardiovascular technicians
• Pharmaceutical technical assistants
• Nuclear medicine technician
• Respiratory therapists
• Mental health technician and consultant
• Obstetric technician
• Ultrasound diagnostician
• Phlebotomists
• X-ray technician