4 Days Until We Walk – Let’s Make History
Posted Apr 25, 2025
Informational Picket! April 29
We told PeaceHealth: give us a fair contract or face a wall of nurses and community members demanding change. In just four days—on April 29—we’ll make good on that promise.
This is our moment.
Join us on the picket line outside the hospital during one of two sessions:
- Morning Session: 0600–0900
- Midday Session & Rally: 1100–1300, with a rally starting at noon
You’ve already shown incredible dedication—mobilizing our community, standing up for your patients, and lifting each other up. From RN Brian Martens’ powerful protest song to the nurses hitting the streets, visiting businesses, and energizing the farmers market crowd—your work is turning this picket into a movement.
Visa Holders are Protected to Picket
We’ve heard questions about whether nurses who work at Joe’s on a work visa can participate in the picket. The short answer is yes. The answers may vary somewhat based on what type of visa, but federal law states that H visa holders (for example, nurses on an H-1B visa) do not endanger their visa status by participating in a work action:
(iii) If the alien has already commenced employment in the United States under an approved petition and is participating in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers, whether or not such strike or other labor dispute has been certified by the Department of Labor, the alien shall not be deemed to be failing to maintain his or her status solely on account of past, present, or future participation in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers, but is subject to the following terms and conditions: …
(C) Although participation by an H nonimmigrant alien in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers will not constitute a ground for deportation, any alien who violates his or her status or who remains in the United States after his or her authorized period of stay has expired will be subject to deportation. 8 CFR 214.2(h)(17)(iii).
You can find the full text of the regulation here. You are also protected under the National Labor Relations Act. You can learn more about that here.
While we can’t force institutions to follow the law, if you feel that you are being retaliated against for participating in the picket– whether you are working on a visa or not – WSNA will defend and support any bargaining unit nurse who faces repercussions by PeaceHealth for participating in lawful Union activity.
PeaceHealth won’t know what hit them.
Sign-Making Party – Sunday, April 27
Creativity is fuel for action. Join us for a sign-making party this Sunday at Lost Giants Cider Company (1200 Meador Ave, Bellingham) from 1400–1800. Let your voice speak loud and clear. Bring your friends, your ideas, and your passion.
City Council – Monday, April 28
Come with us at 1900 to ask the city council for support at our picket.
1900 second floor of City Hall, 210 Lottie Street
Negotiations Update
We’re pushing for new dates at the table and expect to meet with management again in May. When we do, we need every seat filled with nurses in WSNA blue. If you’re ready to show up and be seen, contact WSNA organizer Sam Scholl at SScholl@WSNA.org to learn how to attend as an observer.
This fight is about respect. It’s about safety. It’s about showing PeaceHealth that nurses aren’t backing down.
Let’s walk—together.
In solidarity,
Laura Bayes, Robin Cully, Jenn Engelhart, Rhonda Tull, Tracy Pullar, Amber Pouley, Jen Hampton, Kristin Malmo, Errin Hull, Kelly Carroll, and Jessica Moran
Questions about the picket, negotiations, or anything else? Message your nurse rep Jared at JRichardson@WSNA.org.