On Wednesday KP Professional, Technical and Optical workers along with community allies marched in informational pickets at clinics in Bellevue, Capitol Hill and Tacoma. In Silverdale, union members handed out leaflets to patients and community members. The weather was clear and all participants had fun with chants, waving signs and enjoying the opportunity to come out on a lunch break and tell KP enough is ENOUGH!

The morning began as our coworkers from SEIU 1199 and OPEIU 8 wore stickers in solidarity in all three picket locations. At 11:30 when the marching and chanting began, KP was prepared with a strong presence of both security and management. One member commented that she had rarely seen security until this day and had never seen the director prowling around the doorways.

The media were present to capture all the noise and excitement. Union members were happy at Capitol Hill when a local business brought cups of hot chocolate to warm them up!

In the News!

Health Care Workers to Picket at 3 Kaiser Permanente Hospitals

https://www.q13fox.com/news/health-care-workers-to-picket-at-3-kaiser-permanente-hospitals

Kaiser Permanente Workers Picket in Preparation for Possible Strike

https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2021/11/04/62541228/kaiser-permanente-workers-picket-in-preparation-for-possible-strike

In Washington, we return back to local and national bargaining this week. UFCW 21 is preparing next steps which include a Strike Authorization Vote on

December 8 for members in the Pro-Tech Optical and Spokane units—and training for all leaders on common questions regarding strikes. More information to come!

Remember—it is a violation of Labor Law to intimidate workers engaged in protected concerted union activity, so workers should not experience any retaliation for their actions picketing or leafleting. Please notify UFCW 21 immediately if you have reason to believe you are being retaliated against in any way.

National Bargaining Update

National Bargaining continues. KP is still ignoring the worker shortage and the dedication all employees have shown throughout the pandemic by offering low increases and a two-tier wage system, meaning future employees will earn less.

Last week, three of the Alliance’s largest unions—UNAC/UHCP (SCAL Bargaining Units), USW Local 7600, and OFNHP—have announced that they will strike starting November 15 unless negotiations improve. Collectively, the three unions represent 32,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in CA, OR, and WA. An additional 8,000 Alliance members have taken strike votes and may issue a strike notice shortly. Nationally, conversations continue this week to try and reach an agreement before the November 15 deadline.

See the full update with recent economic proposals here:

https://qrco.de/nov4update

Questions? Please contact Union Representative Rhonda Fisher-Ivie, 206-436-6584 or Contract Specialist Christina Delgado, 425-306-1357.