Raises, improvements to staffing and security for these Tacoma nurses after contract vote
St. Joseph Medical Center nurses represented by Washington State Nurses Association have ratified a new contract.
Bobbi Nodell, marketing and communications manager for the union, told The News Tribune via email on Friday, “The contract was ratified overwhelmingly by 93.6% of those voting..”
The union represents 1,250 registered nurses at the Tacoma hospital.
Details released ahead of the vote by the union stated that the initial contract agreement, reached Dec. 12, would provide “the highest wages for registered nurses in Pierce County and will give nurses from other countries — such as the Philippines, India, Ghana — full credit for years worked,” instead of half.
The base wage will increase from $42.50 (current) to $46.02, according to the union, which noted, “A nurse on the base step today would experience a 31.41% pay increase over the life of the contract.”
Across the board, “We negotiated a raise that kicks in Jan. 5 of 4.75% plus $1.50,” explained Pamela Devi Chandran, director of Legal Affairs and Strategic Initiatives with WSNA, in response to questions from The News Tribune.
“Next November, nurses will receive a 4% increase; November ’26, nurses will receive a 4% increase,” Chandran added.
The union noted that the agreement included “protections from workplace violence, including weapon detectors and locked units.”
The contract also addressed staffing issues, and Juneteenth now will be a recognized holiday.
”This agreement is a testament to the St. Joe’s nurses and their determination,” said Chandran in a statement.
Chandran also noted that international nurses will now be paid equally based on years of registered-nurse experience.
The agreement came after “14 bargaining sessions, an informational picket, and a 10-day notice to strike from two units,” the union stated ahead of the vote.
The nurses had been working without a contract since Oct. 31.
St. Joseph is part of the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health network, and Toby Sutton is chief human resources officer with the system. In a statement sent in response to request for comment from The News Tribune, Sutton stated: “We have successfully reached a fair contract agreement with WSNA at St. Joseph Medical Center. We want to commend all parties involved for productive negotiations over the last several months to get us to this day.”
Sutton added, “Delivering high-quality care and creating a strong workplace culture remains our collective goal.”
This story was originally published December 21, 2024 at 5:30 AM.
