On Monday, July 8, 2024, we kicked-off what we anticipate will be a pivotal week with MultiCare in our ongoing negotiations. As bargaining wrapped up today, we left feeling more encouraged that we may eventually reach agreement than we did going into the day. MultiCare’s newest offer includes some movement in both their economic and benefits proposals:

Wages: MultiCare has revised their first-year across-the-board increase to 6.00%, followed by 3.00% in the second year and 2.25% in the third year. While this represents an improvement from MultiCare’s initial proposal of 2.00% annually, it falls short of ensuring our wages remain competitive with neighboring healthcare employers. For example, the latest UFCW contract at St. Joseph Medical Center includes a 4.00% increase in years two and three, significantly higher than our employer's recent offer.

Benefits: Our Bargaining Team rejected a package proposal from MultiCare that would offer a $360 bonus to most employees in 2025 in lieu of the discontinued Healthy@Work program, but only if the Union withdrew all other proposals to address our benefits. We’re not opposed to receiving a bonus, but that needs to be paired with a more substantive benefit improvement and/or protections against future benefit cost increases.

Although this movement from the Employer is encouraging, we feel that it still falls short in terms of being enough for our Bargaining Team to recommend for ratification.

We meet again with MultiCare this Friday, July 12, which is our last scheduled bargaining session before our CBA ratification and ULP strike authorization votes next week. What happens at the July 12 bargaining session will inform if we vote to approve the contract offer or vote to authorize a ULP Strike! In the meantime, wear your union swag at work and RSVP to the votes to show MultiCare you stand in solidarity for a fair contract!

“Finally, a productive day. This really proves how much stronger we are when we stand together!” — Ryan Boyd; MRI Tech, MultiCare Covington Clinic

in-person VOTE MEETINGS scheduled:

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 KING COUNTY

6:00AM - 9:00AM & 11:00AM - 2:00PM & 5:00PM - 8:00PM

Best Western Plus Mountain View Auburn Inn 401 8th St SW, Auburn, WA 98001

Thursday, July 18, 2024: PIERCE COUNTY

6:00AM - 9:00AM & 11:00AM - 2:00PM & 5:00PM - 8:00PM

Marriot Tacoma Downtown, 3rd Floor Pt. Defiance Room 1538 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402