Nurses picket at Seattle Children’s Hospital over safety and health concerns

On September 30, pediatric nurses represented by the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) held an informational picket in front of Seattle Children’s Hospital. The union demonstration took place from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a break at 9 a.m. before it resumed at 11 a.m. Among those who showed up to provide free meals to nurses and others were two food truck vendors: Paparepas, a family-owned Venezuelan restaurant on Capitol Hill, and Thai-U-Up, a Thai restaurant in Burien. 

The WSNA has been at the bargaining table for over 17 sessions. The negotiations address providing increased sick leave for nurses, with the WSNA arguing that patient health and safety are a concern. Along with other issues related to pay and hours, the WSNA is aiming to address racial discrimination and workplace violence in the medical field.