Unionized nurses in Bellingham reject proposed contract with PeaceHealth

BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Unionized nurses in Bellingham have shot down a proposed contract with PeaceHealth.

The Washington State Nurses Association says union members voted last week to reject PeaceHealth’s contract that would run through 2028.

The association says over 84% of members voted, making it the union’s highest ratification vote turnout on record. It came after the union’s bargaining team recommended that members approve the contract.

The agreement would have given all members an instant 4.25% raise and an additional $1 hourly raise for nurses with less than nine years of experience. Members would also receive an additional 4% raise in each of the next two years.

The union says it has reached out to PeaceHealth management to resume negotiations, though it will likely have to wait until mid-April. In the meantime, its bargaining team warns that nurses will lose wages until a new contract is approved.