On December 15 and 16, we met with Providence and discussed EIB, leaves of absence, and union access. We were able to reach a tentative agreement on union access. This allows for a union representative to visit the Hospital in public areas and allows a union shop steward to attend new employee orientation in order to introduce members to the union.

Management is moving forward with the retirement of EIB and a new PTO plan which results in a lesser PTO accrual. We have demanded at the table that they hold off on this plan until we have an agreement at the table, but they have refused. We are taking legal action and will be informing the community about Providence’s plan to decrease time-off and extended illness time during a pandemic.

So far, we have agreements on about half of the contract and are starting to discuss economic issues like EIB/PTO, wages, and other benefits. We know that these articles will be very contentious! We must take action! We will be planning more public facing actions and involving the community and political groups around the Olympia area. Also we are working in coalition with other healthcare unions to hold Providence accountable for their lack of financial transparency around COVID-19 relief money.

Our next bargaining sessions are on January 19, 22, and 26. We will have a contract action team meeting with a bargaining update on January 4 @ 6:30 PM via Zoom and will discuss public facing actions.

In Solidarity, Your Tech Bargaining Team: Josh Wood (CT), Shapel Morgan (X-ray), Rae Lynn Korpi (RT), Colleen Castaneda (Cath Lab)