We have met twice over the past week to bargain over wages and benefits. Management presented a complex proposal for wages, which included an across the board increase (a percentage increase for all positions) as well as market wage increases (wages to move us closer to the competition) for many positions. Jefferson has said they have reviewed wages at Whidbey, St. Michaels and Olympic Medical Center as competitors. Their current proposal does not raise wages enough to meet the competition.

We are working on a counter-proposal which takes into account the high cost of living in and around Port Townsend, as well as the competitive wages of local hospitals, focusing on some of the same hospitals management is referencing. We are carefully taking into consideration that current wages for some positions come close to St. Michael and Olympic already, but many do not and require significant increases.

Our team is setting higher standards for on-call and shift differentials, seeking better PTO cash-out and deferral, working on adding HUCs to the low census guarantee language, establishing minimum wage parameters, increasing certification and preceptor pay and proposing a new section which addresses extra pay for extra shifts.

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for December 31.

Bargaining Team: Donita French, Casey Paredes, LeAnne Potts, Kim Vasenda

For additional information contact a bargaining team member or Union Representative Kimberley Starkweather (206) 436-6515

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