Sunnyside Sun | April 1, 2026
A planned picket by nursing home workers in Sunnyside was called off one day before it was set to begin after union representatives reached a tentative agreement with facility operator PACs on wages and staffing.
Caregivers represented by SEIU 775 and PACs facilities across Washington state announced the near agreement following months of negotiations. The deal, if ratified, would increase wages and address staffing concerns that workers say have strained care in recent years.
“The cost of living keeps going up. But the wage scale hasn’t kept up,” said Angel Cabrera, a certified nursing assistant at Sunnyside Healthcare Center, in a union press release. “We know we make a positive difference in the health and the lives of nursing home residents.”
Cabrera added that improved wages would also have a broader impact on the community.
“We are people caring for your family, friends and neighbors. When we make livable wages, that money circulates in our local community, supporting our area small businesses and families,” Cabrera said.
For nearly a year, union-represented care staff at multiple rural Washington nursing homes have been negotiating with PACs, a corporation valued at approximately $6.7 billion, seeking higher wages and improved staffing levels. Workers have argued that better pay is necessary to reduce turnover and ensure consistent, safe care for residents.
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