Saint Michael Medical Center RN Bargaining Update

Our Union Bargaining Team: Kim Fraser (Pre-Op); Janice Brown (FBC); Tammy Olson (ICU); Lindsey Gearllach (Obs); Meredith Francisco (Med Surg)

On Thursday, May 15 our Bargaining Team met for our seventh joint bargaining session with Saint Michael Medical Center. In the morning, we passed our fourth comprehensive economic proposal to management for consideration.

We then caucused to discuss our proposed Workplace Violence Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and drafted a counter to the last counter we received from Management on this issue. While we share some common ground or partial agreement on many aspects of the MOU, key sticking points remain. These include the timeline for implementing badge-access locked doors on floors 6, 7, and 8 (as well as in any new facilities), when all RNs will receive personal safety devices, and how quickly metal detector wanding responses will occur.

Towards late afternoon Management responded to our economic package proposal, showing some movement on shift differential pay, weekend premium pay, and coverage for call shifts. However, they continue to be resistant to our pension proposal, staffing ratios, longevity lump sum bonuses for our most senior RNs, and are still far apart from our Bargaining Team on across-the-board wage increases. Next Bargaining Date: May 21

Category SMMC Retirement Plan Proposal Union Proposal – SVAP
Employer Contribution Based on age as of January 1:
  • Under 50: 3%
  • Age 50–59: 4%
  • Age 60+: 5%
Minimum: $1,000 annually
Flat percentage of gross salary for all RNs regardless of age (exact percentage to be negotiated)
Vesting Schedule 100% vested after 5 years: 100% vesting after 5 years
Retirement Benefit Payout Options Choose either a lump sum or fixed monthly payments for life, with options to continue payments to a surviving beneficiary Monthly pension benefit paid for life; surviving spouse continues to receive a benefit after participant’s death
Retirement Eligibility Earliest retirement at age 55 with 10 years of vesting service. Full benefit at age 65.Must separate from CommonSpirit to access benefit. Active, vested participants may receive full pension upon retiring and reaching age 63+. Terminated, vested participants eligible at 65. Early retirement available at 55 with reduced benefit.
Contribution Credit Timing Contribution is credited annually after working 1,000 hours Contributions are made monthly based on gross salary
Plan Modifications  
SMMC controls the plan and can make changes at any time without bargaining with the union
SVAP rules cannot be changed by SMMC alone. The plan is governed by a Board of Trustees that includes both UFCW 3000 leadership and employer representatives from Kroger and Safeway

Show your solidarity

We’re asking everyone to start wearing gold and blue UFCW 3000 swag on bargaining days! We’ll be distributing bandanas and other items to show unity and solidarity on May 19 from 10am to 3pm at the cafeteria.

If you haven’t already, sign our Strike Pledge Card >>

Contract Action Team Meeting

Next Department RN Union Leaders Meeting/Contract Action Team Meeting: May 27 @ 7:00pm via Zoom >>
Meeting ID: 811 2405 1936 Passcode: 582459
One tap mobile +12532158782,,81124051936# US (Tacoma)

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