Virginia Mason nurses picket outside Seattle hospital amid contract negotiations

SEATTLE — More than 600 nurses picketed outside Virginia Mason's Seattle campus Tuesday morning demanding higher pay, better staffing, and protections against workplace violence.

The nurses are represented by the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNS). Some nurses cited incidents like patients bringing in weapons to the hospital, and a case where a nurse was stabbed in the face. In a separate case, a nurse was nearly hit with a claw hammer, according to nurses KOMO News spoke to Tuesday.

Union officials said their contract expired on Aug. 31, and they've been in negotiations for months.

"We are serious about patient safety. We're serious about nursing safety, and we want a fair contract," nurse Michael Salters said from the picket line Tuesday.