St. Michael Medical Center - Bargaining Update
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Your Bargaining Team met with Management again on July 15. Thanks to the overwhelming support from the Kitsap Community at last week’s action, we were able to make significant progress at the bargaining table.
During this session the Employer WITHDREW their proposal to force everyone off the Sound Health & Wellness Trust and transition to the unaffordable CHI Healthcare Plans. Under their original proposal some members would pay a premium that was five times higher, upwards of $200 every paycheck! The community made clear that such an attack on healthcare workers, particularly during a pandemic, was indefensible and would not be tolerated.
However, the fight over healthcare continues as the Employer’s new proposal would give Managament the authority to have new hires sign-up for the CHI Healthcare Plan. This proposal would significant weaken our ability to maintain our affordable healthcare in subsequent bargains.
The Employer knows they cannot win the healthcare fight now, so they are trying to establish weaknesses in our unit to be exploited in the future. Your Bargaining Team will continue to fight against these attacks and ensure we shall ALWAYS have affordable healthcare.
We return to the table on July 28 as we continue to push for equitable wage increases, a safer workplace, and fight against cuts to the Per Diem premium.
Please join our upcoming Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting to get the latest updates and learn how we can win a fair contact. These meetings will be held virtually through Zoom.
Tuesday, July 28 • zoom.us/join
8AM • 6PM
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details.
