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Swedish returned to the bargaining table yesterday with SEIU 1199NW, which represents many of our nurses and service, technical and professional staff. The bargaining session was held under the auspices of federal mediators who have been engaged, with SEIU’s agreement, to help further our progress in contract negotiations. The mediators recommended yesterday that the two sides exchange new counterproposals through the mediators rather than meet face-to-face, since emotions are still high following the strike. We agreed to their recommendation.

The three-day strike called by SEIU 1199NW ended at 7:30 a.m. today. Swedish is pleased to report that no major safety events occurred during the strike. We are grateful for everyone who ensured safe, quality care for our patients during this time.

On the final day of the three-day strike called by SEIU 1199NW, we are pleased to report that safe, quality care continues and that no major events have occurred during this time. We look forward to bringing caregivers back to work over the next two days as work becomes available, and we are actively notifying caregivers today if they should report to work tomorrow.

Today, on Day 2 of the strike, we do not have any serious incidents to report. Everything is going remarkably well. We are grateful to our medical staff, nursing managers and represented caregivers who chose to come to work. These include technicians who run the equipment and EVS workers who ensure our hospitals are clean and sanitized. 

Safe, quality care continues uninterrupted on the first day of a three-day strike called by SEIU 1199NW at all Swedish campuses. The strike began at 7 a.m. today and will conclude at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, January 31. 

We are deeply grateful that a significant number of represented caregivers made the personal choice to report to work and serve our patients. It is important for our patients, their families and our community to know that they can continue to count on Swedish to provide high-quality, safe and compassionate care during the strike.

Significant clinical and operational planning and coordination will ensure safe, high-quality care

Swedish leaders assured the community today that the not-for-profit health care provider is focused on providing safe care for its patients during the three-day strike called by SEIU 1199NW. However, there will be some temporary adjustments to operations during this period to ensure the care it provides continues to meet the highest standards.

Swedish will temporarily close two of its seven emergency departments and one of its Labor and Delivery units during the labor strike that SEIU 1199NW will conduct from Tuesday, Jan. 28 to Friday, Jan. 31. To ensure safe, high-quality care for the patients we serve during this period, the decision was made on Friday evening to consolidate some of our services. Swedish will continue to evaluate our staffing levels to put patient safety first, and will keep the media and the public informed of any future changes in operations that will have impact on the public.

Over the last ten months, we have been bargaining with SEIU 1199NW. Despite our efforts to put forward one of the strongest wages and benefits packages provided by any health care organization in this region (Swedish Proposals at a Glance), SEIU recently notified us they are planning a three-day strike at Swedish, from January 28 until January 31.

Swedish leaders assured the community today that the nonprofit health care provider will continue to serve the needs of its patients and their families during a three-day strike called by SEIU 1199NW. The union represents approximately 7,800 registered nurses, technical and service caregivers employed by Swedish Medical Center and Swedish Edmonds. SEIU notified Swedish today of its plan to conduct a strike starting at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28 through 7:30 a.m. Friday, January 31.

After all-night discussions with representatives from SEIU 1199NW, Swedish is pleased that both sides have agreed to intensive negotiations through next week (Sunday, January 5 - Friday, January 10).