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Hospital in Seattle to close emergency rooms ahead of strike

By Associated Press
Published: January 27, 2020, 8:27am

SEATTLE — Swedish Medical Center has posted signs at its hospitals and on its website warning of its plans to close two emergency departments during a strike this week of 7,800 registered nurses, caregivers and staff.

Swedish said it plans to close emergency services at its campuses in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle and in Redmond starting Monday at 7 p.m.

The strike, set to last three days, will begin at 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Service Employees International Union Healthcare 1199NW, which represents the workers.

The Seattle Times reports the union delivered its strike notice to Swedish more than a week ago, which prompted hospital officials to pull its most recent offer and announce it would not return to the bargaining table until the picketing ended.

In a recent statement, Swedish CEO Guy Hudson said the hospital’s most recent offer included an 11.25% wage increase over the next four years.

The hospital said it is bringing in nurses from elsewhere this week.

Both the Ballard and Redmond campuses have 18-bed emergency rooms, according to Swedish’s website.

The hospital is advising patients who might need emergency or urgent care services in Ballard or Redmond to go to one of its other facilities, including its emergency departments at Seattle’s First Hill and Cherry Hill campuses. The hospital network also has emergency departments at its hospitals in Issaquah, Edmonds and Mill Creek in Everett.

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