YAKIMA, Wash. — Maintenance and service workers will start “informational picketing” next week at Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center, prompting the hospital to arrange for temporary replacement workers.

“We feel we must take the precautions necessary to ensure that patient care continues uninterrupted,” Monte Bostwick, chief executive officer, said Tuesday in a notice to members of Service Employees International 1199.

Bostwick added: “We do want you to know that your ability to return to work here may depend on the contractual arrangements we are able to make for replacements.”

The union held a rally in December in support of 18-20 workers who were laid off because of declining admissions at the hospital.

— Leah Beth Ward