LabCorp - Federal Mediation Begins

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Last week, our union Bargaining Team met with LabCorp management and for the first time this contract cycle, a Mediator from the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Services (FMCS) joined us to help facilitate negotiations.

First, the good: We’re making movement on most of the outstanding non-economic proposals, which means we’re locking down needed changes and narrowing the scope of our negotiations to crucial wage and benefits improvements. We’re securing parking for Seattle Couriers, a stipend for members who work from home, and stronger Union Stewards and Membership language.

We also received LabCorp’s economic and benefits counter. We’re excited to announce that LabCorp has agreed to new employees being eligible for health insurance at the beginning of the next month following their hire date (instead of needing to wait 60 days) and to extending coverage on our Blue Cross Blue Shield plans for MDLive (Telehealth). We’re also excited to share that LabCorp is working with the restructured wage scale that we carefully crafted in February, which eliminates all ghost steps, has the same number of maximum steps for all positions, and gets everyone to the top of the scale faster.

Now, the bad: LabCorp still isn’t offering fair or competitive compensation. Their new proposal maintains:

  • 0% - 5% wage increases over the rates members are making right now
  • only a 2% annual COLA increase for Year 2 and Year 3
  • no consistent percentage increases between steps
  • no increases to differentials, premium rates, or holidays
  • higher employee monthly healthcare premiums ($198.98 for employee-only plans)
  • increased out of pocket maximums ($6,000/$12,000)
  • higher copays ($30 primary care, $70 specialist, $200 emergency room, $10/$20 RX)
  • no tuition reimbursement, 401k improvements, or other optional benefits coverage

LabCorp cannot solve their recruitment and retention issues with this proposal. We want to be fully staffed so that we can provide the quality service that our community deserves, and we’re willing to fight for it.

“If you’re really serious about winning better wages and healthcare, the time to show up is now. It’s not enough to talk. You need to walk the walk with us.”

Deborah Gibby, Senior Lab Assistant

UPCOMING ACTION: INFORMATIONAL PICKET!

Friday, April 12 12pm – 2pm

@ Swedish Hospital – First Hill Campus

We’ll be holding an informational picket and community rally with our patients, providers, union partners, family, and friends to show LabCorp we stand together for a fair contract. We need everyone! Find more information & RSVP at: >> RSVP HERE

UPCOMING: DROP-IN CONTRACT ACTION MEETINGS

Tuesday, March 19 7:30am – 9:30am

Wednesday, March 20 & Thursday, March 21 9:00am – 9:30am

@ James Tower Cafeteria, Swedish Cherry Hill

Come down and talk with your bargaining team about negotiations updates and upcoming actions!

Bargaining Team: Kyle Chrisman, Deborah Gibby, Lisa Magee, Sam McVay, Matt Noll, Nancy Pyanowski, Shelby Tyner

Please reach out to a member of your bargaining team, or to your Union Reps Christie Harris at 206-436-6606 and Charlie King at 206-436-6518 if you have questions or want to get more involved.