Capital Medical Center RNs Agreement Reached!

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We reached an agreement! Vote on October 8! 

We began bargaining for a new contract in late May, and after nearly five months of negotiations, we are proud to announce that we reached an agreement with Capital Medical. From the very start, our priority was clear: secure a contract that is competitive with Providence St. Peter and win some of the language that staff at other MultiCare hospitals already have.

Since MultiCare purchased Capital Medical Center in 2021, we have worked steadily to strengthen our contract and bring it closer in line with other MultiCare facilities. While we made meaningful progress this round, some proposals—particularly around health insurance and retirement—remain unfinished business. We believe that in 2027, when other MultiCare contracts expire, union members across the system will have stronger leverage to push for those improvements.

That said, we achieved one of our biggest goals: becoming competitive with St. Peter—and surpassing them. Our wage increases go beyond what St. Peter secured. On average, nurses will see a $10 per hour increase upon ratification. These gains will make a real difference in retaining and recruiting nurses to Capital Medical Center.

Agreement Highlights

  • Wages

    • Ratification 2025: $6–$12 per hour increase

    • October 2026: 3.75% increase plus anniversary step (1%–4%)

    • October 2027: 3.25% increase plus anniversary step (1%–4%)
       

  • Wage Scale Improvements

    • ​Zero/ghost steps removed; scale shortened to 28 steps which gives RNs a higher pay increase between steps.

    • After ratification, nurses on Steps 29–34 will move to new Step 28. This is not a pay decrease.
       

  • Longevity Bonus

    • ​$2,000 for RNs on Steps 28–34 in 2026 and 2027
       

  • Pay Differentials and Premiums

    • ​Charge Pay: $3.50 

    • Night Shift: $5.00

    • Weekend Premium: $4.00 (higher than St. Peter)

    • On-Call Pay: $4.75 (higher than St. Peter)

    • Float Pool Premium: $4.50 (higher than St. Peter) + $1.25 premium for RNs floating off of their home unit
       

  • Shift Coverage

    • ​Emergent shifts: 1.5x pay for coverage within 4 hours of start

    • Extra shifts: awarded in order of straight-time, 1.5x, then 2x pay RNs

    • Incentive shifts: posted uniformly; hospital will assign 1.5x, flat rate, or hourly premium

    • On-call RNs staying past their shift receive 3 hours of call-back pay after 1 hour​
       

  • Other Contract Wins

    • ​.75 FTEs now considered full-time

    • Meal-period issues will be addressed in Labor Management Committee

    • 30-day notice for layoffs; 14-day notice for unit mergers/restructures

    • Expanded EIT access for on-the-job injury, chemotherapy, or hospitalization

    • Bereavement leave expanded to include loss of an unborn child

    • Disciplinary actions removable after 12 months 

    • Improvements to staffing language

Contract Vote Information! 

We will review the full agreement on September 30 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom, where you can ask questions.

Zoom Meeting Link >>

The ratification vote will be held at the hospital in Cascade Room on October 8 during the following times:

  • 6:30am—9:00am

  • 11:00am—2:00pm

  • 5:30pm—8:30pm 

To vote, you must be a union dues-paying member in good standing. If you are not yet a member and want to participate in the vote, please sign an application here >> 

For questions, reach out to your Union Representative, Kimberly Starkweather at 206-436-6515, or any member of your RN bargaining team.

We are recommending a YES vote on this agreement!