Greeny, fuzzy and with a mischievous smirk, the hospital “Grinch” brought attention to something she said didn’t quite work.
Standing alongside fellow union workers at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, Juniper Wilder’s seasonal costume served as a metaphor.
“I’m the Grinch today to bring awareness to the community, on behalf of our patients, on behalf of our families, for the issues that we are facing at PeaceHealth,” said Wilder, a sonographer at the hospital and one of two union workers dressed up as the Grinch in the hospital’s cafeteria Monday, Dec. 23.
“I deeply believe that Bellingham and Whatcom County deserve a well-staffed, safe hospital, and we cannot attract and retain that staff because we are so severely underpaid,” she continued.
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare 1199NW union has been in negotiations since September with PeaceHealth over their contract, which expired on Nov. 16.
Wilder was joined by about a dozen union workers handing out cookies, stickers and a Dr. Seuss-inspired poem to fellow PeaceHealth employees as they came down for lunch.
The union represents a sweeping group of more than 900 employees including technicians, lab professionals and service workers, such as environmental services (EVS) staff.
“We cannot have a well-functioning, clean hospital without EVS, and yet they are some of the most underpaid staff members in this entire hospital,” Wilder said. “We cannot prevent communicable diseases in the community without clean health care.”
She said that PeaceHealth was failing to raise wages to meet the increased cost of living in Whatcom County and that some employees were relying on food banks to try and make ends meet.
Wilder said that the stress these employees are under causes a ripple effect throughout the entire community. Despite this, she said the union was struggling to make progress in the negotiations.
“We keep hitting walls, and it ultimately comes down to them not wanting to compromise,” Wilder said.
PeaceHealth spokesperson Amy Drury told CDN that the hospital values the union and the caregivers it represents, as they are “part of the team.”
She said that while she couldn’t comment on the specifics of the bargaining process, they had brought in a professional negotiator.
Among those at the demonstration on Monday was Gabrielle Madeiros, a surgical technician at the birthing center and the author of “How Chuck Stole the 199NW Christmas Contract.”
“I was like, let’s step it up,” Madeiros said about the planning process for Monday’s demonstration. “Let’s have a story that we can read and that would really identify what’s happening in our community. “
The poem, following the classical format and storyline of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” focuses on Chuck Prosper, the chief executive of the Northwest PeaceHealth network.
Madeiros said the bargaining team is mostly focused on securing increases in wages, because of the high cost of living in Whatcom County. She also pointed out that St. Joseph is a trauma two hospital, capable of initiating definitive care for all injured patients, yet there are better-paying jobs in a less intense environment for them in Skagit County.
The next round of negotiations for the contract is set for Jan. 2, 2025, confirmed Drury.
The poem offered by Madeiros is below:
How Chuck Stole the SEIU Christmas Contract
By Gabrielle Madeiros
Every worker down in Unionville loved their SEIU Contract a lot,But Chuck Prosper, who lived just north of the lot, Did NOT.
Chuck Prosper hated the contract, the entire SEIU deal! Now, please don’t ask why; we’ll uncover what’s real. It could be his budget was squeezed tight like a vise. Or maybe he just thought fairness came at too high a price. But whatever the reason—ego, dollars, or fear, Chuck Prosper wanted that contract nowhere near!
“They’ll sit at their desks, negotiating away! And it’s driving me mad every hour of the day!” He growled as he paced, his plans growing dire, “I must stop this contract! I must put out their fire!”
For weeks he had heard union reps in their hall, Hammering out terms to benefit all. Benefits, wages, and respect on the job, To Chuck Prosper, it sounded like a ravenous mob.
Then he had an idea! An awful idea! Chuck Prosper had a wonderfully awful idea!
“I’ll sneak into Unionville with cunning and tact. I’ll take every clause in that precious contract! No overtime pay, no health plan in sight, No workplace protections—oh, this feels so right!”
He donned his best suit, all corporate and cold, And crept toward the hall with a clipboard to hold. The workers were out, their meeting adjourned, And Chuck saw the contract, for which they’d all yearned.
He snatched it up quickly, his grin wide and mean,“They’ll wake up tomorrow to a workplace so lean!” He stuffed it in a briefcase, locked it up tight, And fled from the hall in the dead of the night.
The next day, the workers arrived with a cheer, But their joy turned to shock when the truth became clear. “The contract is gone!” they cried in dismay. “Who would do this to us? Who’d take it away?”
Meanwhile, up north, Chuck Prosper felt grand. He’d foiled their efforts with his own two hands.“No more negotiations! No pesky demands! I’ve got the control—they’re stuck with my plans!”
But as he sat gloating, a noise reached his ear. A sound unexpected, both distant and near. He glanced out his window and froze where he stood. For down in Unionville, the workers were…good?
They gathered together, holding hands in a ring, And despite the lost contract, they started to sing.
Not of clauses or wages, nor pensions or perks, But of unity’s power and the value of their work.
Chuck Prosper stared, his briefcase held tight. “Why aren’t they angry? This should be their plight!”He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then Chuck thought of something he hadn’t before.
“Maybe contracts aren’t just ink on a line. Maybe their power is something divine. Maybe fairness and equity can’t just be erased. Perhaps they’re ideals no boss can replace.”
And what happened then? Well, the workers all say, Chuck Prosper’s cold heart grew three sizes that day. He returned the contract, apologized too, And promised, “From now on, I’ll listen to you.”
And the workers rejoiced, their trust restored, For even Chuck Prosper now valued accord. The SEIU Contract was signed with great care, A symbol of justice they’d forever share.
So if you find yourself feeling a bit Prosper-y, Remember this tale and the spirit of equity. For no matter your title, your rank, or your plan, A fair workplace begins with respect for each man.
Isaac Stone Simonelli is CDN’s enterprise/investigations reporter; reach him at isaacsimonelli@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 127.
