Providence Regional Medical Center Professionals Bargaining Update

Our union Bargaining Team [L-R]: Taylor Widener, Sr. Dietician; Holly Gramse; Physical Therapist; Sara Dillon; Sr. Discharge Planner (Case Manager)
 
On Friday, May 16, our union bargaining team met with management for the fifth day of contract negotiations in this cycle.
 
Following our May 5 session- when we presented our initial compensation and wage scale proposal- we focused this session on two crucial areas: health insurance benefits and retirement plans. After a morning of in-depth discussion, we presented two major proposals to management in the afternoon:

A Stronger Path to Retirement: Our Pension Proposal

Planning for retirement has become more uncertain; previous generations could count on a combination of Social Security, employer pensions, and personal savings, however, today's workers are increasingly expected to shoulder the burden alone. Employer-funded pensions have become rare, shifting more risk and responsibility onto individuals.
 
We believe healthcare professionals deserve better.
 
That's why our bargaining team proposed adding the Sound Variable Annuity Pension Trust (SVAPT)- a secure, union-managed pension plan that already serves over 40,000 workers across Washington, as an additional retirement benefit in our Collective Bargaining Agreement.
 
The SVAPT would provide vested employees with a guaranteed monthly income for life once they retire; offering peace of mind and financial stability for those who choose to build their careers here. Alongside Social Security and personal savings, this would create a stronger, more reliable path to retirement than we have today.

A Union-Led Vision for Healthcare

Across the region, Providence workers have voiced serious concerns about our healthcare coverage; particularly following the recent shift to Aetna. Our Bargaining Team wanted to explore options that would not only provide better, more affordable coverage, but also give workers more control over future changes to our insurance.

That’s why our Bargaining Team has proposed the creation of a Union Taft-Hartley Healthcare Trust- a health plan that gives union members a direct voice in shaping our health insurance. Under this model, we would have real decision-making power over premiums, deductibles, provider networks, and any future plan changes.

This model already works for thousands of union members across the country- and by creating our own plan, we would gain the ability to bargain over our healthcare, instead of being subject to unilateral changes by Providence- as we were when the plan was switched to Aetna.
 
Our vision is clear: better care, lower costs, and a healthcare plan built by and for Providence union members.
 
After the Employer received these benefits proposals, they let our team know that with compensation and benefits on the table, they would likely need the remainder of the day to work on reviewing the proposals, not to expect a counter by the end of the day.
 
“The lack of response from Providence was frustrating when we have so many proposals on the table.” -Holly Gramse;
 
What's Next:

CAT Meeting: May 28 6:30-7:30 pm
Teamster Local 38 Union Hall, 2601 Everett Ave 98201

Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/s/87839761888
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