Cascade Valley Hospital - We Reached a Deal!

BARGAINING TEAM: Carl Ramirez (Security Officer), Lisa Warriax (MSW)

On February 22 and 26, our bargaining team met with the Employer for two intense and final bargaining sessions. During these sessions, the team asserted the bargaining unit’s priorities and came out victorious with a fully recommended tentative agreement. The tentative agreement is a huge win for security officers and MSWs, which includes wage increases for the newly accreted unit.

Highlights include:

• Just Cause standard must be used when administering discipline

• Access to the grievance procedure in case of contract violations or discipline

• Seniority language that protects employees’ original date of hire

• Defined premium rates and health benefits

• Lay-off procedure

• Labor management committee to discuss workplace issues

• Body Armor will be made available for Security Officers and higher quality footwear provided for incoming new hires

• $2 per hour Float pay when assigned to work locations in Skagit County

• Yearly longevity wage increases

• Across the board wage increases

• New and innovative language which allows members to resubmit their resume for initial placement on the wage scale

“This has been a long road with a steep learning curve, but our persistence has paid off! During a very dark time, being part of a union has been a light. We have a voice to fight.”

A contract ratification vote will be held on Wednesday, March 6, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Pilchuck Conference room in Cascade Valley Hospital. To cast your vote, you must appear in person and be a union member in good standing. All members are encouraged to come learn about the new CBA and ask questions.

Your bargaining team recommends a “YES” vote!

Cascade Valley Hospital MSWs & Security Officers Bargaining Update

Our Union Bargaining team: Lisa Warriax – MSW, Carl Ramirez – Security Officer

“With every session we are one step closer. MSWs and Security Officers stand united in our proposals, and together we are making progress. There’s no such thing a s snow day for our Bargaining Team!”

On January 4 the newly accreted Security Officers and MSW’s Bargaining Team at Cascade Valley Hospital met for the second bargaining session with the Employer. During this session, we gave compelling testimony about working conditions, we firmly pushed back on the Employer’s proposals around uninterrupted meal breaks and daily overtime, and the Employer made significant movement on wages for Security Officers.

We met for our third bargaining session on January 18, despite the challenges due to inclement weather. While the Employer continued to reject our proposal to give everyone an initial wage increase upon being placed onto a wage scale, the Employer did agree to audit past job experience to ensure we are being paid commensurate to our past job experience. We also made considerable progress with our protective gear proposal for Security Officers. The Employer told us they will be looking for a vendor to supply protective vest for each security officer.

We must continue standing united for pay which is commensurate to our experience and will retain and recruit Security Officers and MSWs. We will meet the Employer again in mid-February.

Cascade Valley Security Officers and MSWs - Bargaining Update

On December 12, we had our first bargaining session for Security Officers and MSWs where we made a lot of great progress with seniority language for both groups and received a wage proposal for Security Officers which strengthened our position on wage parity.

Our team met again with the Employer at the bargaining table on January 4 for our second bargaining session. While the Employer made significant movement on wages for Security Officers, they rejected our other proposals around daily overtime, compensation, and safety. We remain united and continued to firmly push back on the employer's proposals. We gave compelling testimony about working conditions and we feel confident that the Employer will consider our testimony when they respond to our proposal on January 18.

The further we go, the more confident we are in the process. It felt great to be given the opportunity to vocalize our concerns around staffing and workload and the reality of the situation. Having a voice in our workplace is powerful.
—Our Bargaining Team: Lisa Warriax – MSW; Carl Ramirez – Security Officer

We will meet the employer back at the table on January 18 and are ready to continue our fight for fair wages and a safe workplace.

Cascade Valley Security Officers and MSWs - Successful First Day—More Dates Scheduled

BARGAINING TEAM: Carl Ramirez (Security Officer), Lisa Warriax (MSW)

“We received a wage proposal which gives us hope that Cascade Valley wants to engage in productive talks with us. We will keep going forward from here!”

Early this year we won our union election for Security Officers and MSWs. Our bargaining team met in the Fall and drafted proposals which would achieve parity with Skagit Regional, increase retention, and bolster recruitment efforts.

On December 12 we had our first bargaining session with the Cascade Valley’s management and had a successful day. Our proposal is for the existing Cascade Valley collective bargaining agreement to extend to security officers and MSWs. In addition, we proposed wage scales and other compensation for both classifications. Throughout an intense day of negotiations, we’ve already made headway, particularly in refining seniority language for both groups and establishing wage guidelines for Security Officers. Recognizing the significance of seniority in scenarios like job applicant tiebreakers, layoffs, and scheduling, we succeeded in establishing that our original date of hire with Cascade Valley would serve as our seniority date.

In our pursuit of equitable treatment, we firmly pushed back against the Employer’s proposals and stand united in advocating for wage parity. The battle for parity will continue in our upcoming sessions scheduled for January 4 and 18.

Cascade Valley Hospital - New Contract Ratified!

On January 17, 2023 YOUR new contract with 100% YES votes, was ratified!

Thank you for coming out, voting on YOUR contract, and ensuring YOUR voice is heard. Your new wage increases will go into effect two pay periods after the Skagit Regional Health Board Ratifies the contract!

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Union Representative, Celia Ponce-Sanchez at CPoncesanchez@ufcw3000.org or by phone at: (360) 419-4678

Cascade Valley Hospital - Vote Scheduled - Tentative Agreement Reached

Cascade Valley Hospital - Vote Scheduled
Tentative Agreement Reached

“It was a pleasure efficiently bargaining with administration to agree on a fair contract for all Cascade Valley employees.” – Jason Burbee, Surgical Tech

Just in time for the new year, our Bargaining Team recommends a “YES” vote on:

• A minimum wage increase of 9.25% and a maximum of 19.1%

• Updated standby/call language

• Holiday hours coinciding with the Nurses contract

• Three days of employee convenience days

• Bereavement leave that can be taken within 12 months non consecutively

• Standby pay continuing when called into a shift

• Trial MOU allowing for one and one half (1 ½) pay for work beyond your shift with manager approval

• Efficient bargaining bonus of $675 for FTE and pro-rated for less than FTE, as well as $175 for per diem

• And more!

Our Cascade Valley Hospital Bargaining Team: Robin Schultz – Pharmacy Tech, Elizabeth Smith – Patient Register II, Pammy Hammond – Unit Assistant, Vicky LaPierre – Unit Assistant, Jason Burbee – Surgical Tech

Cascade Valley Hospital - Bargaining Continues

Cascade Valley Hospital
Bargaining Continues

“Being a part of the Bargaining Team has been a wonderful experience. Not only have I felt a sense of unity with my Union members, but I have felt an overwhelming amount of support with my Union representatives” -Elizabeth Smith, Patient Register II

On December 5 and 9, we met with Skagit Regional Health to bargain our contract at Cascade Valley Hospital. We are extremely optimistic that in our next session we may have a tentative agreement to bring forth to membership for a vote! We have tentatively agreed to language including:

• Ensuring seniority when moving between departments

• Non-discrimination language including ensuring equity and diversity trainings happen regularly

• Having discipline removed from personnel files after 2 years

• Requirements for more notice on

• any layoffs

• Language for members to have more time to respond to recall

• Bereavement leave that now can be non-consecutive to grieve your loved one within a 12-month period

• Other various language changes to ensure better access to Union rights

We are awaiting Skagit’s response on our per diem proposal, wages, holidays, PTO, convenience days and more. We are hopeful that on Monday, December 19, which is our next bargaining date, to be able to come up with a tentative agreement so that we may have your new CBA in time for the holiday season!

For questions, please reach out to Union Rep Celia Ponce-Sanchez @ (360) 419-4678.

Our Cascade Valley Bargaining Team: Elizabeth Smith – Patient Register II, Pammy Hammond – Unit Assistant, Robin Shults – Pharmacy Tech, Vicky LaPierre – Unit Assistant, Lidna Deeter – Surgical Tech, Jason Burbee – Surgical Tech

Capital Medical Center RN - Contract Vote Scheduled!

Our Bargaining Team: Bonnie Velleren, Carol Cairone, Cindy Dixon, Dennis Velleren, Elisabeth Hilderbrand

On Monday, September 26, after a long day of bargaining we were able to come to a historic tentative agreement before contract expiration! Because of our unity we were able to get some great wins including:

• Strong wages that can help recruit and retain qualified Nurses!

• New wage scale that eliminates 5 ghost steps with each step either equal or above Providence St. Peters Hospital

• A committee to discuss call language and policies

• Health and safety language

• Increase premiums including float pay, excessive call pay, night shift and others. 

• Safe staffing language 

• And other great wins!

Please reach out to a bargaining team member or your Union RepBrandan Zielinski @ 206-436-6603 or bzielinski@ufcw3000.org 

Vote Meeting 

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

6:00 AM - 9:00 AM

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Cascade Room - Adjacent to the cafeteria

The vote will be in-person and UFCW 300 members in good standing will have the opportunity to speak to Bargaining Team members, ask questions, and cast their ballot. Please arrive during the posted vote times as we cannot allow members to enter the vote room outside of the advertised times. 

Cascade Valley - SEIU Members Join us for Bargaining Kick-Off

We are about to start union negotiations. Our ability to win a strong contract depends on having active, informed, and united union members in the workplace. 

Join us for our Bargaining Kick-Off meeting on Tuesday, October 4 from 11:00am to 2:00pm, or from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. 

We will be meeting to discuss what our priorities provide in the bargaining survey sent on August 9, 2022. 

We will be meeting at Rainier A Conference Room on the second floor of Cascade Valley Hospital.

Skagit Regional Health/ Cascade Valley Hospital New Retention Bonus in Place

This week, we agreed to a retention bonus for members at Skagit Regional Health/Cascade Valley Hospital. Workers employed at least 30 days as of November 1, 2021, will receive a $2500 retention bonus in two installments this November and the following March. This amount will be prorated for employees under a 0.9 FTE.

Cascade Valley Hospital - 100% YES! Cascade Valley Hospital Members Unanimously Ratify New Wages

Members at Cascade Valley Hospital unanimously ratified a new wage scale. The new agreement includes bringing CVH employees up to the same wage scales as Skagit Valley Hospital with additional market increases for some positions. The new rates will go into effect in the second pay period following this ratification.

For members hired before April 9, 2018 there is an agreement to participate in an equity review. If you feel you were misplaced on the wage scale, complete the equity review form on Epicor within 30 days. Contact your bargaining team or rep for assistance.

Your Bargaining Team: 

Kathleen Blackstock, CNA

Linda Deeter, Anesthesia Tech

Pammy Hammond,CNA

Robin Schultz, Pharmacy Tech

Cascade Valley Hospital (SEIU 1199NW) - Tentative Agreement Reached

Our Bargaining Team reached a tentative agreement on
July 12, for our Cascade Valley wage reopener. The agreement includes:

• Wage increases for all positions

• Additional market adjustments for some job classifications

• Equity review process to re-capture steps due to misplacement on the wage scale

• Extension of MOU regarding mandatory on call hours for Surgical and Anesthesia techs

• MOU to voluntarily pick up shifts between hospitals

Details of the agreement and full document will be available at the vote meetings.

“The increases in this agreement will help recruit and retain good workers at Cascade. We can now lead SRH in determining what fair wages look like.” 

— Our Bargaining Team

Come and vote on this agreement!
Thursday, July 22
5:30 AM - 8 AM
5 PM - 8 PM
Cascade Valley Hospital Rooftop Lounge

All members in good standing are eligible to vote.

Cascade Valley Hospital - Victory—SRH Cancels Changes to Retiree Medical!

After supporting the Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) filed by our brothers and sisters at WSNA, Skagit Regional Health has reversed its decision to discontinue the early retirement benefit for tenured employees. We had also demanded to bargain over the change to retiree benefits. This victory will make our upcoming negotiations with CVH on wages much smoother. 

We will be at the bargaining table June 9.

Your CVH Bargaining Team:

Laura Cowen, CNA

Linda Deeter, OR Tech

Robin Schultz, Pharmacy Tech

Pammy Hammond, CNA

Skagit & Cascade Valley Hospital - COVID-19 Improvements Reached with Management

As we continue to be overrun by new COVID cases in our hospitals, our Union bargained improvements to our contract including incentive shifts and premium pay for direct care staff.

Extra Shift Pay

This Paragraph 12 shall only apply to the “Tech” classifications listed in Appendix H in SRH CBA and equivalent job titles in the CVH collective bargaining agreement and the following classifications: Medical Assistant Certified; Medical Assistant Certified Lead; Medical Assistant Registered; Patient Registration Specialist; C.N.A.; L.P.N.; Unit Assistant I & II; Lab Assistant; Lab Assistant Lead; Medical Technologist; Medical Technologist Lead; Microbiology Lead Technologist; Environmental Services Technician; Environmental Services Lead; Medical Laboratory Technician; and M.S.W, ED Tech and Mental Health Assistants.

Employees listed above who pick up extra shifts during this time shall receive an additional $110 for 12 hour shifts and $85 for 10 hours shifts and $60 for 8 hour shifts above and beyond the employees current FTE. Employees do not qualify unless they work all of their scheduled hours within the applicable pay period.  Employees with 0.9 FTE and above must work in excess of their FTE to qualify for this premium. Employees with less than a 0.9 FTE are eligible for $60 per each extra shift of 8 hours or more worked in addition to their normally scheduled shifts per pay period.  Eligible shifts will be awarded according to Article 8.2.1 of the UFCW CBA.

COVID Premium Pay

All work performed by employees floated to a location that is under a different collective bargaining agreement shall be paid and subject to their home contract, except that employees who float from one acute care hospital to another, or to or from a Skagit Regional Health clinic to or from Cascade Valley Hospital or to a COVID-19 Testing Site will receive a premium of $2.00 per hour of floating, and may be eligible for mileage based on Employer’s mileage policy.

These changes will be in effect from December 14 through April 30, 2021 or until the Governor lifts the State of Emergency and my be extended by mutual agreement.

BARGAINING TEAM: Rob Carlile, Pharmacy Tech; Debbie Cheeseman, UA1; Wille Davenport, Radiology; Linda Deeter, Anesthesia Tech; Lisa Fritz, SSAII; Mary Winter, EVS

Skagit & Cascade Valley Healthcare changes approved

Cascade Valley Hospital Vote

Cascade Valley Hospital ratifies new contract

Cascade Valley Hospital - Contract Vote Scheduled

Through multiple Zoom bargaining sessions our Bargaining Team reached a tentative agreement with Management that includes some of the following highlights:

• Ratification Bonus

• Wage Increases for 2020

• Increases to Shift Differentials

• No Takeaways

• Wage, Healthcare and Equity Adjustment Reopener in 2021

“We look forward to discussing this with everyone at the Vote Meetings and encourage our membership to attend the Zoom meetings.”

— Cascade Bargaining Team

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Contract Information Zoom Meetings

Wednesday, July 22
11:00am – 12:30pm

Thursday, July 23
6:00pm – 7:30pm

Zoom Invitations and Voting Materials will be sent out soon.

We will be voting this fully recommended offer by mail! Please make sure your address and information are up to date.

Cascade Valley Hospital - Bargaining Continues with Management

We continue to bargain with Management to reach a settlement that meets our key goals of:

• Wage Parity with Skagit Regional Hospital

• Equity Adjustments for employees with years of service

• Increases to Shift Differentials to match Skagit.

Although we have reached tentative agreements for some of our goals, our Bargaining Team continues to push for Equity Adjustments. We have also seen Management propose for a wage reopener in the 2nd year because of the financial impact of COVID 19. We’re scheduled to bargain again on Friday, June 26 and are looking to secure more dates in July.

“We look forward to bargaining with Management this week and reach a settlement that we can bring to our membership for ratification.  We still need management to meet our main goals of Equity for our members who have given many years to this hospital.”

Cascade Valley Hospital Bargaining Team

Cascade Valley Hospital - Proposal Vote Scheduled

We will be going back to the bargaining table in early March! All members are encouraged to come and have your voice heard on your top priorities at the bargaining table.

Vote Times
Cascade Valley Hospital
330 S Stillaguamish Ave, Arlington, WA 98223

2/25
3pm to 8pm
Baker Room

2/26
6am to 11am
Whitehorse Training Room