It has been six months since we unionized, and we have not received bargaining dates from Providence! Typically, we head to the bargaining table about 3 - 6 months after unionizing and bargain for about 10 - 12 months for a first contract. Providence Centralia (Techs and Service units) and Providence St. Peter’s (Tech unit) bargained for about fifteen months in order to reach a first contract agreement.

We have formed a Bargaining Committee comprised of Kelly Covington (RN), Winter Everson (Radiation Therapist), Branden Raftery (Dosimetrist), and Paul Lofing (Radiation Therapist). The job of the Bargaining Committee is to be the voice of the entire bargaining unit at the negotiation table and represent the interests of all workers within the unit. The committee has presented each departments’ contract wish list and we have discussed contract priorities for the entire bargaining unit.

Part of preparing for negotiations involves requesting information from Providence. In August, we requested that Providence provide policies, procedures, an employee roster, all employee benefit plans, and other information pertinent to negotiations, but we have not received anything from them. This information is over a month late! If Providence continues to delay fulfilling the information request, we will be taking legal action.

This information is needed to create a proper first proposal. Currently we have created an initial non-economic proposal based on the bargaining committee’s knowledge and the feedback they have heard from their departments.

We will continue requesting bargaining dates from Providence and will be seeking legal action on this matter as well if they delay further!

If you have comments, workplace issues, or are facing disciplinary action, please contact your Union Rep Erin McCoy (206) 436-6598 (landline).