Optum Care, Inc Everett Oncology Clinic Bargaining Update
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Our Union Bargaining Team began our tenth negotiating session on October 8 still riding the momentum from Wednesday’s well-attended and highly energetic informational picket.
In our first meeting of the morning with Optum, we provided management with two documents to give both teams a clear picture of where negotiations stand. The first was what we believe to be the most up-to-date list of tentative agreements (items the parties have agreed to so far), and the second outlined the proposals which remain open for continued negotiation; some of which have been in the Employer’s court for responses since our first bargaining session together…
During that same joint session, management presented several counterproposals addressing full- and part-time designations, regular shift length, and other related FTE/scheduling parameters. Optum also presented us with an extensive proposal related to observed holidays- like how holiday work, pay, and time off is handled. Upon further review of this section, however, we noted that sections of our contract covering observed holidays and holiday pay had already been agreed to back in May. Furthermore, their proposal included language concerning salaried employees, even though there aren’t any salaried employees within our bargaining unit. Confused, we later raised these concerns to the Employer’s attention for further review and clarity.
As has happened at nearly every bargaining session since we brought Optum our initial wage proposal in February, we were told once again that because of another new step in the review and approval process (apparently still above the authority of the management team at the table) we would not be receiving a wage proposal today.
Our position on these persistent delays is clear: we are fed up. However, the strength and solidarity we demonstrated yesterday also made it clear that we are also more ready than ever to take action to win a fair contract!
To discuss ongoing negotiations with our bargaining team and strategize ways to build collective power, we strongly encourage all Optum Everett oncology clinic workers to attend our upcoming Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) training, details below:
Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Training: Thursday, October 22 from 7pm – 8pm online via Zoom >>
STRIKE PLEDGE: If you haven’t yet added your name to the Strike Pledge you can do so here >>
“The momentum is as strong as ever; and we’re just feeling stronger than ever!” -Ashley Seidelman
Our Union Bargaining Team: Janis Laffin, RN; Molly Hugo, RN; Ashley Seidelman, Patient Care Coordinator
