Amid Coronavirus Concerns, Inslee Restarts Swedish Negotiations

SEATTLE, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee said labor negotiations would resume next week between Swedish Medical Center and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, amid growing concerns over the potential U.S. spread of a virus from China.

A spokesman for the governor told the Seattle Times the international outbreak of COVID-19, a coronavirus strain that originated in China's Hubei Province, has put a spotlight on Washington's health care system.

"I think there is recognition that we all need to be on top of our game right now," David Postman said.

A Snohomish County man was diagnosed with the first U.S. case of the virus in January. Last week, health officials announced the man had 'fully recovered.'

U.S. Health Officials Brace For An Outbreak

While the overall number of confirmed cases remains low nationwide, public health agencies are preparing for the likelihood the virus will spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Tuesday that a domestic outbreak of COVID-19 may be imminent. According to the Washington Post, the U.S. first case without known ties to China was confirmed in Northern California Wednesday.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include mild-to-severe respiratory illness, with a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the CDC. Those in certain age groups, or with underlying health conditions, can be at-risk for more serious complications. The World Health Organization said more than 78,000 cases and 2,700 deaths have been reported in China. No deaths tied to the virus have been reported in the U.S.

Swedish Negotiations Scheduled Next Week

According to a news release from Inslee's office, negotiations between Swedish and the union are slated to resume March 5 in SeaTac. The governor asked both groups to reach an agreement within four days.

"I thank the leaders on both sides who have embraced the need to hit reset on negotiations," Inslee said in a statement. "We have strong commitments to use this opportunity to settle a set of new contracts."

"We thank Governor Inslee for his leadership and look forward to being at the table to reach [a] resolution," said Dr. Guy Hudson, CEO at Swedish.

The hospital system's health worker union represents nearly 8,000 nurses, caregivers and other staff among Swedish campuses and clinics in Seattle, Edmonds, Mill Creek, Redmond and Issaquah.

According to the union, negotiations began in early 2019, as nurses sought higher wages to keep up with the cost of living and help recruit and retain employees to fill hundreds of unfilled positions. The union's requests also include safer staffing ratios and better safeguards against discrimination.

Thousands of nurses and caregivers walked off the job for a three-day strike in January. Swedish closed two emergency departments and a childbirth facility and contracted hundreds of temporary workers and security guards.

Inslee's office said the negotiations would include outside mediator Thomas Kochan, a professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and Beth Schindler, a federal mediator.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 on the CDC website.