ALSO: Samaritan Lebanon Employees get to vote “SEIU 49 YES” on March 5!

SEIU Local 49 and Samaritan Health Services reached an agreement based on shared values: supporting quality, affordable healthcare, treating employees fair, and ensuring workers have a real voice in their workplace.

As Samaritan moves toward merging with MultiCare, the agreement includes several key protections for SEIU represented employees.

There has been no discussion of Samaritan laying off employees or subcontracting work because of this merger, but SEIU members said job security is a high priority & Samaritan committed to strong protections.

Union Rights Protected: All provisions of the SEIU contracts with Samaritan are in effect and cannot be changed without bargaining, and union members agreeing. Samaritan agrees to bargain with us as expected according to our contract expirations.
Wages & Benefits: No cuts to current wages, premiums, or benefits. Wage differences between valley and coastal hospitals will be kept within at least 5%, with adjustments made during contract bargaining as needed. SEIU members have the right to bargain higher!
Job Security: SEIU represented employees will not be laid off starting now through the merger approval and for at least 12 months after.
No Subcontracting: No subcontracting of SEIU work now and for at least 12 months after the merger closes.
Education Fund: Participation in the SEIU Education Fund will continue at the current or higher level through at least 2032.
Union Contract Coverage for New Facilities: Any new standalone SHS or MultiCare facilities in the current service area will follow existing SEIU contracts for comparable work. Samaritan also agreed to not engage in union busting if non union employees want to organize with our union.

With these commitments in place for union members, SEIU Local 49 will publicly support the Samaritan–MultiCare merger under review by the State of Oregon. The agreement is intended to improve patient care, strengthen the local economy, and ensure continued healthcare services in the SHS service area and ensure SEIU members have an ongoing strong voice at work.

Questions about the Samaritan-MultiCare deal

Why is Samaritan trying to become part of MultiCare?

Samaritan is facing serious financial problems, and it cannot keep going on its own without help. Partnering with MultiCare would bring about $700 million to keep hospitals and clinics running, fix buildings and equipment, and support day-to-day care.

If this partnership does not happen, Samaritan would likely have to make hard cuts to survive. That could mean fewer staff, fewer services, and even closing or reducing care in some communities. This affiliation is meant to protect jobs, keep services open, and help Samaritan stay strong for the long term—so you can keep caring for patients and keeping the hospital running without constant fear of cuts.[i]

Who is MultiCare?

MultiCare is a 140-year-old nonprofit health system based in Tacoma, Washington. MultiCare has more than 28,000 employees, with 13 hospitals in Washington, supported by more than 300 clinics and care locations across the Pacific Northwest. Also, several union contracts with SEIU 1199NW.

What’s Next?

Nothing is changing right now. Everyone’s day-to-day‑ work stays the same. Samaritan and MultiCare are still going through the legal steps needed to complete the deal, including getting approval from the state. We do not know how long this process will take.

In Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reviews healthcare deals like this to make sure they are good for patients, workers, and communities. They look at documents, talk with leaders, and listen to public and community input. At the end, the Health Authority can approve the deal, approve it with conditions (like requiring certain services to stay open), or deny it. This review process can take between six and nine months.

If the deal is approved, Samaritan will become part of MultiCare but will keep the Samaritan name and local leadership. After that, the two systems will start planning how to work together more closely over time.