Union workers demand living wage amid ongoing contract negotiations

During a recent city council meeting, Thelma Hedrick, an x-ray ultrasound technician from Kennewick, addressed the council regarding the ongoing labor negotiations within the Catholic healthcare system. Hedrick, who has worked in the industry for a decade, emphasized the financial struggles faced by many employees, noting that 95% of their members live below the living wage of $47.37 necessary for a family of three to survive.

She highlighted that 70% of these workers fall under 200% of the federal poverty line, illustrating the dire circumstances many are experiencing, including eviction and heavy debt. Hedrick urged the council to support their bargaining efforts with Providence Catholic Leadership, which has reportedly stalled over the past nine months, with management proposing regressive terms that threaten the livelihoods of employees.

The meeting proceeded with the council moving on to routine business, including the approval of previous meeting minutes, with no further public comments or discussions on the agenda.