We met with the Employer again on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 and although the Employer moved off of the Medical benefits guarantee elimination, they continue to propose the elimination of guaranteed language for dental that is currently protected by the contract. The Employer stated that they want us to have the same benefits as non-represented employees, and not the same benefits as other represented employees such as your RNs and Service & Maintenance co-workers. The bargaining team feels there was minimal movement made and we have a long way to go. We will continue to push back at bargaining table on February 22, 2024 against Employer proposals like eliminating language in Article 13.6, that guarantees the employer pays 100% of Dental Premium for Full-Time employees and at least 50% for dependents. We will also continue to push for significant movement on wage increases to help recruit and retain staff, which we believe would improve staffing and patient care.

We have had reports of Management bringing around a bargaining update that shows what the Employer’s last proposal was. We have been told that it is not posted and only being shown by Management.

WHY? We believe that what they are showing employees is only a partial proposal that does not show the proposal to eliminate language in Article 13.6.

It is an unfair labor practice for Management to coerce members or to interfere in Union activities. Please advise your bargaining team or Union Representative if you believe your manager has engaged in any type of this behavior.

If you have not already done so please join your coworkers in signing the strike pledge

We encourage members to join their bargaining team and co-workers at the UFCW 3000 office for a bargaining update meeting to get updates and hear about next steps on February 27. We will also be holding a Strike Authorization Vote on March 1, 2024:

Bargaining Update Meeting

February 27

• 6pm - 8pm

Strike Authorization Vote

March 1, 2024

• 8am - 11am
• 1pm - 4pm
• 5pm - 8pm

UFCW 3000 office

2805 N. Market Street, Spokane, WA

As a member of your bargaining team, we are working very hard to bring our co-workers a contract we feel is fair and protects our benefits.

—Angela Holmes, Surgical Tech

We should not only be compared to local hospitals but also to Hospitals of similar size and services. We need to have competitive wages that reflect the work we do.

—Lee Lidman, IR CV Tech

Better wages lead to better staffing, which leads to better patient care. We have been working additional shifts for over 2 years. If the employer put that additional incentive pay into the wage scale, we would be able to recruit and retain experienced staff.

—Joe Sikkila, Respiratory Therapy