Fresenius Medical Care - Bargaining Begins

Introducing Our Bargaining Team! Krista Smith, Jovona Trevino, and Maria Lucas

"I'm a Tech at Mt. Rainier with more than 30 years of experience. I'm happy to be part of a team that is committed to keeping a safe, fair, and comprehensive work environment."

— Krista Smith

"I've worked in Dialysis for 20 years and I'm a PCT II at Mt. Rainier. I love what I do. I am excited to be part of our bargaining team and to fight for what's right and fair."

— Jovona Trevino

"I've been with Fresenius for almost three years as a PCT II. As a new member of the bargaining team, I'm looking forward to being a voice among voices and helping us be seen, heard, and acknowledged through effective change."

— Maria Lucas

Bargaining Begins

On Tuesday, April 8, our bargaining team met in person at the Des Moines UFCW 3000 office to review the current contract and our bargaining survey responses. We agreed to Fresenius management's request to meet virtually for the first two sessions to prevent delays, but Fresenius will be bargaining with us in person beginning in May. We discussed the concerns important to us including wages, patient time and quotas, scheduling and hours, and continuing education. Our initial proposals included a change that would make the current disciplinary process fairer. We look forward to the next session on Thursday, April 24 and to meeting in person in May! Stay tuned for an update following that bargaining session as we put the rest of our proposals on the table and get Fresenius' first counterproposals.
 

Upcoming Virtual Office Hours

Thursday, April 24
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Or reach out to your Union Rep. Charlie at 360-409-0606 to set up a call or meeting.

May Day March

May 1
We aren't alone in our struggle to defend our rights. In the last few months, the federal government has launched an all-out assault on the working class and our First Amendment rights. On May 1, labor unions, immigrant protection organizations, and workers across America are continuing 139 years of pushing back against the chaos and cruelty. UFCW 3000 members are showing up in force to May Day marches all around the state. If you've been feeling powerless, this is a powerful opportunity to stand together with your community and find the path forward.

Learn more about the marches and RSVP here >>

Update Contact Information

Not getting updates or know a coworker who isn't? Update your contact information to get critical information about our campaign and stay informed about upcoming actions and events >>

Capital Medical Center RNs - Bargaining Begins Soon

Our union contract is set to expire later this year on September 30, but bargaining will start sooner—Multicare has requested to begin negotiations next month. We will take every opportunity to address ongoing staffing issues and fight for crucial wage increases, so we're kicking our preparations into high gear.

Bargaining Surveys

Participation and communication are key to winning a strong contract, and bargaining surveys are one of the important tools we use. We use our surveys to understand our shared priorities and goals and to inform our proposals at the table. This is a great time to get refamiliarized with our contract and shine a light on any ongoing issues. Make your voice heard! Fill out your survey in the mail or online >>

Not getting updates or the survey? Update your contact information to get critical information about our campaign and stay informed about upcoming actions and events >>

Open Office Hours

April 24 & May 7
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Lunchroom

Our Rep, Kimberly Starkweather, will be in the lunchroom to answer questions and talk about issues.

Leaders In Action Training

May 22

Want to get more involved but not sure where to start? Reach out to our Rep for more information about this exciting training opportunity.

May Day March

May 1

We aren't alone in our struggle to defend our rights. In the last few months, the federal government has launched an all-out assault on the working class and our First Amendment rights. On May 1, labor unions, immigrant protection organizations, and workers across America are continuing 139 years of pushing back against the chaos and cruelty. UFCW 3000 members are showing up in force to May Day marches all around the state. If you've been feeling powerless, this is a powerful opportunity to stand together with your community and find the path forward.

Learn more about the marches and RSVP here! >>

St. Michael Medical Center RN - Bargaining Update

On April 16, we met with the SMMC management team and received a full counterproposal. While we appreciate that they responded to all of our proposals, the movement they made was minimal—and their responses fall far short of addressing the real priorities nurses have raised.

Our proposals focused on what we know is needed to recruit and retain nurses: safe staffing, competitive wages, and meaningful benefits. Despite the time we've spent explaining the urgent issues we face, the hospital's proposal was disappointing and, in some cases, proposed takeaways.

What SMMC Proposed:

• EIB usage only after two full shifts (our current contract states after 16 hours)

• Health insurance cost split for dependents to be determined solely by the employer

• Break relief coverage assigned to existing staff—not additional hires

• Wage increases: Year 1: 4.5%, Year 2: 2%, Year 3: 2.5%

At the table, management said they value nurses as highly skilled and highly valuable—but their proposals don't reflect that. We made it clear: SMMC is dealing with chronic staffing issues, missed meal breaks, and nurses regularly working above the staffing plan. That's why we proposed stronger staffing committee language and premiums when nurses are forced to work above the plan.

Management questioned the need for additional staffing language and extra pay under these circumstances. But we know why they're necessary: to hold SMMC accountable and ensure safe staffing for patients and nurses.

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for May 8, and we're working thoughtfully on our next counterproposal. We need every nurse's voice and strength at the table—and throughout the hospital hallways!

Let's Keep the Pressure On

If you haven't already, sign the strike pledge card. This doesn't mean we're going on strike, but it does send a powerful message that you are willing to authorize the bargaining team to take that step if needed to win a fair contract and protect patient care.

Encourage your coworkers to sign as well. The more nurses who stand together, the louder our message becomes.

SIGN HERE >>

Contract Action Team Meeting

May 8
7:00 PM
Virtual Meeting via Zoom >>

We'll be holding a Contract Action Team meeting to provide updates and answer any questions.

Stay strong, stay informed, and stay united—we're in this together!

"SMMC management is out of touch with the reality we face at the bedside every day."
— Kim Fraser

Our Union bargaining team: Lindsey Gearllach (Obs), Meredith Francisco (Med Surg), Kim Fraser (Pre-Op), Janice Brown (FBC). Not Pictured: Tammy Olson (ICU).

PRMCE Technical - CONTRACT ACTION TEAM MEETING

PRMCE Technical
CONTRACT ACTION TEAM MEETING

In anticipation of upcoming contract negotiations, join us at our next Contract Action Team meeting to discuss strategies to build collective power, get updates from the PRMCE Professionals Bargaining Team, and stand together in pursuit of increasing recruitment and retention, better working conditions, and improved benefits for Providence healthcare workers across Washington State!

CONTRACT ACTION TEAM MEETING
Wednesday, April 16
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

In-Person:
Teamsters 38 Union Hall
2601 Everett Ave, Everett, WA 98201

Virtual (ZOOM):
Check email for link
 
Sign the strike pledge card >>
We need to show Providence we're ready to do what it takes to get what we deserve. Sign the strike pledge card or ask a fellow member to sign it if they haven't already.

Step up! >>
We need department leaders to keep members engaged in the fight.

Organize, organize, organize >>
Know a worker who wants to join the union? Send them here.
 

Ashley House - Contract Ratified!

On April 2 and 3 the contract was overwhelmingly ratified by Union Members at all of the houses. We had great conversations with so many people who have a common interest in ensuring that Ashley House continues to be sustainable and that all employees are valued.

Highlights of the agreement include:

• Sustainable Wage Increases

• Premium and Differential Increases

• Higher PTO Accrual Rate

• Enhanced Pull Bonus

• Better Training Bonus

• Job and Bid Posting and Awarding Clarifications

For additional information contact a Bargaining Team member or Union Representative Charlie King (206) 436-6518.

Bargaining Team: Cyndi Jones, Donna Iverson, and Janet Neice

Saint Michael Medical Center RNs - Bargaining Update

On Thursday, April 3, our Bargaining Team met with Management to resume negotiations. In the morning we presented all our economic proposals except for retirement, which we want to discuss with our co-workers in an upcoming meeting (to be announced). We addressed staffing ratios, incentive shift language, break relief nurses, various new proposed premiums to recognize specialized skills of certain RNs, wages, increased PTO, and retention bonuses (among other things).

We were aghast at Management's attitude when we presented our economic package proposals, with members of their team making snide comments while our negotiator presented the information, and in some cases even laughing at proposals around staffing and break nurses.

After our presentation, Management took our proposals and went to caucus for an extended period. We then waited for responses on these economic items, as well as their next set of counterproposals on non-economics, which we last had passed to them on March 27. Upon returning some counterproposals towards the end of the day, we saw little substance in their responses but put together another pass of our own on non-economics to present first thing next week.

Our next bargaining date is April 10, with more sessions confirmed for April 16, May 8, and May 15. Stay tuned for all-member Contract Action Team meetings.

"We were excited to pass our initial economic and staffing proposals to management, including safe staffing ratios and market-competitive wages. But instead of taking them seriously, management literally laughed in our faces. It was beyond disrespectful and shows that we need to be ready to take action for a fair contract." 

— Meredith Francisco, RN (Med Surg)

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

Seattle Children’s Hospital Technical - Post Bargaining Update

As part of our recently ratified Union contract, our Union Bargaining Team negotiated a “true-up” meaning the Employer agreed to go back and review years of service at Seattle Children’s and credit members one step on the wage scale for every year of service as appropriate. It is intended to allow those whose previous wage step advancement was slowed down by the old requirement that 1,664 hours needed to be worked prior to the next increase to have past years of service based on anniversary date recognized. However, as part of this agreement Employees must request such a review within ninety days of ratification of the agreement.

Our contract was ratified on March 7.

To request a review, email your written request to:

LaborRelations@SeattleChildrens.org

...by no later than June 4, 2025.

Call Union Representative Christie Harris at (206) 436-6606 (landline) if you’d like to discuss further!

Our Bargaining Team (Left to Right): Adriana Ingwerson, Ultrasound Sonographer; Heidi Cuffee, Echo Sonographer; Jennifer Becker, Surgical Tech; Tesfaldet Kidanemariam, Respiratory Therapist; Robin Phare, Pharmacy Tech; Tarin Knight, END Tech