MEDIA RELEASE: Providence Kadlec nurses vote to authorize strike

RICHLAND, Wash – After two days of voting, Kadlec members of the Washington State Nurses Association voted by an overwhelming majority to authorize a strike.

A vast majority of the more than 900 registered nurses at Kadlec turned out for the vote. Nurses are sending a loud and clear message to Providence that they are willing to do whatever it takes to get a fair contract, including going on strike.

When a strike is called, WSNA will give the legally required 10-days’ notice to Providence Kadlec prior to the strike.

Nurses are fighting for safe staffing and working conditions that will allow them to give the very best care to their patients. Meanwhile, Providence seeks to slash nurses’ earned benefits, even as its multi-state system is collecting record profits and giving extravagant raises to executives.

Kadlec nurses are standing up in the face of troubling and illegal unfair labor practices on Providence’s part, including interfering with workers’ right to concerted activity and failing to bargain in good faith.

With this vote, Kadlec nurses have proclaimed that they will continue the fight for safe working conditions and safe patient care so that they can give the Tri-Cities community the very best care.

WSNA is in the process of scheduling another mediation date. Providence Kadlec has the opportunity to avert a strike by coming back to the negotiating table prepared to engage in serious discussions about issues of concern to nurses and their patients in the Tri-Cities community.