Nurses Claim PeaceHealth Threatened to Cut Health Benefits for Striking in Labor Complaint

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has scheduled a hearing for November 12, 2025, to address an unfair labor practice charge filed by the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) against PeaceHealth, a Washington-based health system. 

This development follows allegations that PeaceHealth threatened to terminate health insurance benefits for employees participating in a strike, according to a press release from WSNA. ​

Unfair Labor Practice Charge Filed Over Threats to Revoke Health Benefits

In October 2023, during a strike organized by the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP) at PeaceHealth Southwest in Vancouver and PeaceHealth St. John in Longview, PeaceHealth reportedly threatened to revoke health benefits from striking employees. The OFNHP represents over 1,700 technical, janitorial, and other staff at these facilities. PeaceHealth cited this action as its "standard practice that applies to any caregiver (union-represented or not)." 

WSNA, representing registered nurses at both PeaceHealth Southwest and PeaceHealth St. John, as well as other PeaceHealth facilities in Washington, filed the unfair labor practice charge in late 2023. The association argued that PeaceHealth's threat could deter employees from exercising their protected rights, as it might give the impression they would lose health benefits if they chose to strike. 

NLRB's Involvement & Upcoming Hearing

After investigating the charge, Region 19 of the NLRB found merit in WSNA's allegations and issued a complaint against PeaceHealth on March 5, 2025. 

The upcoming November hearing aims to address these concerns and determine whether PeaceHealth's actions violated Section 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act, which prohibits employers from interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of their protected rights. ​

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