Posts tagged Spokane
Spokane County library district unionizes, citing scheduling concerns
September 9, 2025 // Spokane County Library District is one of the last nonunionized public library districts in the state, according to Council 2 Director Michael Rainey. Unions are typically certified 60-90 days after filing for union recognition. Once the union is certified, the library district will meet with union members to start negotiations for the employees' first contract, which will likely include issues like scheduling concerns and compensation.
Unions, contractors clash over proposal to require labor equity in Spokane projects
August 24, 2025 // Priority hires must either be a graduate from a state-certified pre-apprenticeship program; a veteran, person of color, woman, those formerly convicted of a crime, formerly homeless or a tribal member; or living in an area of the city with higher rates of poverty and lower rates of higher education and employment. “We do not believe the government should mandate or compel any firm to change its labor policies in order to perform these projects,” said Cheryl Stewart, executive director for the Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors, during a Monday reading of the proposal. “This law is not inclusive, it’s exclusive: over 85% of Washington’s workforce is non-union, and 98% of women- and minority-owned firms are non-union, and these contractors and their employees would be shut out or forced to change their labor policies.”
Strike halts work on North Spokane Corridor, other projects
August 14, 2025 // WSDOT says it's aware of the strike and confirms work has been suspended on the North Spokane Corridor Spokane River Crossing, paving projects near Pullman on US 195, and in Chewelah on US 395. The northbound lanes of the Greene Street Bridge and one southbound lane are closed indefinitely due to an ongoing strike, according to the WSDOT. WSDOT said there are holes in the bridge and there's no way to reopen it while the strike continues. The agency said it does not know how long the strike will affect the closure.
Some union workers at Sacred Heart are not participating in the strike
April 26, 2024 // Not all Sacred Heart healthcare union workers are participating in the current strike, according to hospital leadership. Wednesday marked the third day in an eight-day strike at Sacred Heart Medical Center. Workers are picketing in hopes of negotiating a new and improved contract from Providence, but not all union members have joined the strike. "We had several more than what is normal for a strike of this nature of current union caregivers who chose to come into the building and take care of patients," said Susan Stacey, Providence Inland Northwest's Chief Executive.
Union representing Providence Sacred Heart caregivers issues strike notice
April 16, 2024 // Approximately 500 Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center caregivers have issued a strike notice for the end of the month. According to Providence, United Food and Commercial Workers 3000, the union representing those 500 employees, issued a strike notice for April 22-30. The strike comes after months of unsuccessful negotiations between Providence and UFCW3000.
Government Unions Can’t Keep Forcing Public Employees to Pay Up
December 22, 2022 //