Providence Everett pharmacists unionize, seeking safe staffing levels
Published 12:30 pm Friday, July 31, 2026
EVERETT — Clinical pharmacists at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett voted to unionize Tuesday, a national pharmacists union announced in a press release Thursday.
The group of more than 70 pharmacists said they’re seeking safe staffing levels, increased corporate accountability and protections to ensure quality patient care.
The bargaining unit consists of pharmacists in the inpatient, ambulatory care and retail departments. Pharmacists at Providence Everett deliver medication to acute care patients, help manage chronic conditions in outpatient settings, provide retail pharmacy services and work with other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans, the release said.
“Every day, pharmacists advocate for our patients,” said Matt Chen, a senior clinical pharmacist in the inpatient department, in the release. “In voting for The Pharmacy Guild/IAM, pharmacists chose to advocate for our profession, so we can continue delivering the safe, high-quality care our community deserves.”
The clinical pharmacists are now part of The Pharmacy Guild/IAM Healthcare, which was established in 2023 and also represents some retail pharmacy locations in Washington.
In the release, pharmacists raised concerns that Providence’s metrics do not accurately track the data needed to determine daily safe staffing levels. According to a 2025 study published in the United States Pharmacopeia, 1.5 million people in the United States each year are impacted by medication errors, which can stem from heavy workloads and uncomfortable working conditions.
“Our patients benefit when we feel supported, and that’s making sure that we are staffed appropriately,” said Gabrielle Gentile, a senior clinical pharmacist in the inpatient department, in an interview Friday. “If we don’t have time to adequately review medications or identify drug interactions … if we don’t have time to answer questions and collaborate with nurses and providers, patients do suffer.”
The pharmacists chose to unionize so they can have a seat at the table to advocate for safe patient care, Gentile said. Safe staffing will be a priority for the guild as it prepares to negotiate its first contract, and pharmacists will also develop specific priorities within each department.
“While we are disappointed in the outcome, we respect our caregivers’ right to organize,” said Erika Hermanson, spokesperson for Providence Swedish North Puget Sound, in a statement Friday. “We will now focus on working with the union toward a mutually agreeable collective bargaining agreement. We remain committed to approaching these negotiations thoughtfully, respectfully and in good faith.”
This story has been updated to include a revised statement from Providence Swedish North Puget Sound.
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
