Recovery Cafe Bargaining Update Health care Changes

On Monday, October 19 our Union met with Recovery Cafe to hear their proposal and plan to navigate increased health care rates. To maintain Recovery Cafe’s current provided health care plan, there will be a 22.25% increase in the overall coverage rates. To address that rate increase, the Employer proposed union members would absorb the cost of this increase in new premiums. Most members who are on the platinum employee only plan would pay a $181.56/mo new premium. 

In addition to increased plan costs, under the Employer’s health care renewal proposal:  

Platinum Plan  

• Out of pocket maximum will increase from $4000 to $4500 per person. 

• Office visit will increase - $20 / $30 to $20 / $45 

Gold Plan 

• Out of pocket maximum will increase from $8550 to $9000 per person.  

• Office visit will increase - $30 / $50 to $30 / $60. 
  

The Union is awaiting further clarified if other provisions of Recovery Cafe’s insurance plan would be impacted.  

In response to the Employer’s proposal, our Union proposed the Sound Health and Wellness Trust; the same plan that thousands of union grocery and health care workers are a part of. The Union’s proposal would stabilize the Employer’s cost, improve health care benefit coverage, and have premiums that average $44/mo for most members.  

To discuss potential health care changes and how we fight against significant premium costs, we will meet over Zoom tomorrow, Wednesday, October 21 at 7pm. Please reach out to your representative Allison Hanley with any questions: (206) 436-6586.   

Union Meeting: October 21 at 7pm on Zoom >>

Meeting ID: 840 7414 2027 
Passcode: 558441 

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center Service/Maintenance - Vote To Approve 401K Changes Proposed By Providence

After the last negotiations, the parties agreed to revise the 401k structure. The Employer made it clear that they won't continue the discretionary contribution, the one that isn't legally required. In exchange, they agreed to increase the match from 50% to 100% of 4% or 5%, depending on the worker's seniority.

The vote will take place on Monday, October 26.

Vote Scheduled on 401k MOU Changes

Monday, October 26
10am to 2:30pm
Mother Gamlin Center, Emilie and Elizabeth Room
20 W 9th Ave
Spokane, WA 99204

If you have questions, please get in touch with your Union Rep, Lenaya Wilhelm, at 509-340-7369 or 866-210-3000 Ext. 7369.

St. Joseph Medical Center Tech Don't Lose that Momentum

Our Bargaining Team is heading back to the table more ready than ever now that a strike has been authorized.  Join the upcoming Contract Action Meetings for next steps on winning a fair contract and addressing the suspected unfair labor practices the hospital is committing. Keep wearing that UFCW swag and encourage your coworkers to attend all future meeting as you prepare to take the highest levels of action! Links are below....

Strike FAQ Training: Tuesday, 10/20 @ 5:30pm on Zoom >>

and 

Strike Captain Training: Tuesday, 10/27 @ 5:30pm on Zoom >>

Our Union Bargaining Team: Michelle Gilmore, Respiratory Therapist; Monica Dewitt, Pharmacy Tech; Sissy Allison, Surgical Technologist; Chad Michels, Cardiovascular Technologist; Leslie Ball, Surgical Technologist, Vanessa Giles, Surgical Technologist
 
For any questions, reach out to your Bargaining Team or your UFCW Union Rep, Charlie King, at 206-436-6518

Optum Care, Inc Everett Oncology Clinic Bargaining Update

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

Recovery Cafe and UFCW 3000 Health Care Increase Discussion

In September, Recovery Cafe notified our Union that their health care costs have increased beyond 8% (as defined in 18.5 of our collective bargaining agreement) and that the Employer would like to reopen that article of the contract for negotiations. Because of our Union contract, we have the right to discuss any changes to the health care costs the Employer proposes.

This upcoming Monday, October 19, the Employer will meet with our Union to discuss potential cost sharing changes to the health care plan or alternative solutions. If you’re interested in participating in the health care committee, please reach out to your Union Rep Allison Hanley at (360) 409-0242 before the end of the day, Thursday, 10/15.

EvergreenHealth Kirkland - Contract Vote Scheduled! Tentative Agreement Reached!

Your Bargaining Team has reached a Tentative Agreement with a recommended YES Vote!

Ratification Vote

Fri, Oct 16, 2026

• 6am-9am

• 10am-12pm

• 5pm-8pm

TAN 100

Tentative Agreement Highlights

• Year 1 Wage Increase: $1.00 added to each wage scale step, followed by a 3% across-the-board increase, plus step increases.

• Ghost Step Elimination: Eligible workers will have their step placement adjusted as the wage scale is revised to eliminate ghost steps.

• Ratification Bonus: $1,750 for bargaining unit workers at 0.6 FTE or above and $750 for workers below 0.6 FTE, subject to the agreement's eligibility requirements.

• Year 2: 5% across-the-board wage increase, plus steps.

• Year 3: 4% across-the-board wage increase, plus steps.

• Additional Improvements: Standby and callback language, holiday scheduling and rotation, EIB payout, incentive pay, scheduling, and other workplace protections.

The complete Tentative Agreement and a full summary will be available at the vote.

Who Can Vote?

All EvergreenHealth Kirkland UFCW 3000 members in good standing are eligible to vote. Voting is in person.

Questions?

Contact a member of your Bargaining Team or your Union Rep.

Your Contract. Your Voice. Your Vote!

St. Michael Medical Center - Turn Up the Pressure; Don’t Lose That Momentum

Our Union Bargaining Team: Robel Haile (Clinical Pharmacist), Bryson Andrews (ED Tech), Olivia Almeida (Respiratory Therapist), Merry Brandt-MacFann (CT Technologist), Lara Williams-Graham (Certified Surgical Technologist), Angela Roberson (EP Technologist), Rob Shauger (CNA)

We’ve already voted down the Hospital’s latest offer and authorized our Bargaining Team to call for a strike! Our Bargaining Team is scheduled to resume negotiations with management on October 8. Help them support patient safety and improved staffing for the community and encourage everyone in your dept to sign the pledge to take action.

Wear Your Blue and Yellow on Thursday and don't forget to wear your stickers!

Filled out your strike pledge card! >>

Update: St. Joseph Medical Center Techs are not far behind us and are also holding a contract and strike authorization vote on October 5. Those caregivers know that the Employer’s weak proposals are just not good enough. Stay tuned for next steps.

For more information or to get involved as a contract action team member in your department, please reach out to a member of the Bargaining Team or Union Rep Ryan Degouveia, 360-662-1981.

Whidbey Health Pro Tech/LPN - Contract Ratified!

We are happy to announce that on Monday, September 28 our new contract was overwhelmingly ratified by Union Members!

Highlights of the contract include:

• Wage Increases

• Increased Shift Differential

• More PTO Cashout Opportunities

• Additional Certifications eligible for Certification Pay

For additional information contact Union Rep Marilyn Faber (360) 419-4678 or a Bargaining Team Member.

Bargaining Team: Cassie Anderson, Jennifer MacNeill, Caitlyn Korkoskie.

North Valley Hospital - Bargaining Update #3

We had robust and productive conversations around the Employer's counterproposals and the Union's proposals. We were able to make several additional tentative agreements and continue making progress at the table.

We are continuing to work through our economic proposal. The conversations we engaged in have been helpful, and we will use what we learned to develop our counterproposals for our next session.

"Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to achieve uncommon results."

— Andrew Carnegie

What's Next

Come Have Lunch with a Bargaining Team Member

Join us to connect with a member of the Bargaining Team, ask questions and hear the latest updates:

• Thursday, October 1, 12-2pm in the Recovery Room (First floor down the hall from Radiology) - with Megan

• Wednesday, October 7, between 1pm - 3pm in the EC Breakroom - with Tonya

• Friday, October 9, at 1-2:30pm in the Inservice Room - with Michelle

Times may change due to patient care needs

Bargaining Session #4

October 13

It's Not Too Late to Join Your Union! Join UFCW 3000 >>

Bargaining Team: Megan Vickers, Wound Care RN; Michelle Beattie, Radiology Technologist; Tonya Smith, ER MA-C/HUS.

Questions or Concerns? If you have questions or concerns about the contract or bargaining process, please reach out to a member of the Bargaining Team or our Union Rep, Becky Latzel, (866) 210-3000.

Kaiser Pro Tech/Optical and Pharmacy - Bargaining Update

Kaiser Permanente previously communicated the implementation dates and corresponding paycheck date for the ATB increases and Wage Scale Adjustments negotiated as part of the March 2026 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Those dates were March 15, 2026 for the Southern California, Hawaii, Northwest, Colorado, and Georgia markets, and March 22, 2026 for the Northern California, Mid-Atlantic, and Washington markets.

Upon further review, Kaiser will apply an effective date of March 9, 2026 for all ATB increases and Wage Scale Adjustments.

Because the previously communicated and implemented effective dates were March 15, 2026 or March 22, 2026, depending on the market, affected workers will receive retroactive pay covering the period from March 9, 2026 through the previously implemented effective date applicable to their market.

Workers in Washington will receive their retro pay on the November 20, 2026 paycheck.

For additional information contact Contract Specialist JJ Benson (425) 306-1357 or Union Rep Zach Gayner (360) 409-0598.