UFCW 3000 Member Story: Billie Thomas

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A picture of Billie Thomas outside next to a shrubbery.

Billie Thomas

Billie Thomas has worked at Tacoma General Hospital (Multicare) since 2019 and is currently a Patient Financial Navigator. (PFN) He became a union activist when Multicare sent out an email about pay raises, “I got very excited that MHS Financial counselors were to receive an additional 8% market adjustment. I emailed back asking if my role was considered the financial counseling. That role is NO LONGER IS IN EXSISTANCE at any Multicare facility. It was outsourced, then brought back in house under the Patient Financial Navigators. I was heartbroken when I received an email back…” In short, Multicare was not giving the market adjustments to PFNs at Tacoma General.

But that wasn’t going to be the end of the story, because Billie wouldn’t let it be, “This moment was my call to action. I started to investigate job roles, many of those jobs were no longer actual roles but they were showing all these big increases and getting everyone hopes up. However, in reality it was just all for show. I ain’t got time for shows… so I had to step up and tell everyone and anyone that would listen. I took the steps to make sure not only my voice was heard, but that when I spoke up, I spoke for myself, my department peers, and anyone else that felt like they were not being heard here at MHS.”

Billie and his coworkers took their sense of injustice and frustration into bargaining this year, “This last contract round showed me that speaking up does help create the change we are looking for and deserve here at MHS.” UFCW 3000 members at Tacoma General won a new contract that included historic pay raises. During the bargain Billie kept his department informed, relaying bargaining updates to them and getting their questions answered. They and hundreds of other Tacoma General workers showed up for a huge info picket that showed Multicare it needed to do more at the bargaining table.

Now that the contract is settled Billie is staying involved and wants to represent his department during Labor Management Committee meetings and get more training on being a shop steward. He continues to raise his hand and make his voice heard.