“If nurses are expected to take care of more patients who are sicker, we simply need more nurses to do that. Administrators know this, but they are dragging out contract talks on the backs and hearts of nurses who deliver the lifeline to patient care…”

“We know St. Joe’s can afford to invest in safer staffing. Over the past five years, the hospital earned record profits totaling more than $408 million, according to the Washington Department of Health. In 2018, St. Joe’s secured a 12-percent profit margin ($84 million), five times the average profit margin (2.3 percent) of nonprofit hospitals in Washington…”

“Feel-good hospital mission statements mean nothing if you refuse to live up to them. While our CEO’s salary rose 86 percent between 2015 and 2017, administration has refused to allocate resources in our contract that we believe will allow us to recruit and retain the nursing staff necessary to ensure quality and safe patient care…”

“A strike is a last resort. We would prefer to accept a contract that recognizes our concerns. We believe our expectations are reasonable.”

“As a flagship hospital in our community, St. Joe’s should commit to safe staffing standards that serve its stated mission and ensure the safety of its patients and nurses.”