After months of difficult negotiations, a powerful informational picket, and an overwhelming strike authorization vote, our Union Bargaining Team fought late into the night on October 8 and reached a tentative agreement on a new contract!
The Nominations are in, now it’s time to vote for who will represent you and your coworkers from Ballard, Central District, and Issaquah PCCs on the newly formed PCC Labor Management Advisory Committee (LMAC). Secure online voting will take place Wednesday, October 21 from 8am to 8pm. Every PCC store elects one LMAC representative, you may only vote on a nominee from your own store.
Following a series of highly attended vote meetings on Monday, October 5, union technical workers at St. Joseph Medical Center voted nearly unanimously to:
Reject CommonSpirit’s subpar contract offer
Authorize a STRIKE
“We set the stage and gave our comprehensive proposal letting the employer know that our priorities are to win wages that we deserve, improve our transportation benefits, win immigration protection language as well as ensuring the safety of our co-workers. We are eager to see what BDA’s response is on the 21. ” -Kota Owens, Bargaining Team Member
For the first time in history, on Tuesday, Sept 29, grocery store workers from across Washington State and North Idaho met at the same table to plan for our upcoming bargaining session with Kroger and Albertsons.
Our team met with the employer again today to continue bargaining. We have finally started discussing economics, focusing on health care and wages, which we know are our members’ top priorities. We've seen very little movement from the employer and know we need to start escalating.
Correcting the Record: Decades after Organizing Her Own Unit, Leslie Ball Is Still Fighting for Her Coworkers
Leslie Ball, a certified surgical technologist at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma and a longtime UFCW 3000 Union Steward, has spent decades standing up for herself and her coworkers.
Her fight for better working conditions began in the late 1990s, when she received a 30-cent wage increase, which ended up only being a five-cent raise after her employer reduced her shift differential by a quarter. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the value surgical techs bring to the table, she knew a nickel wasn’t going to cut it. So she and a coworker, Gail Miller, started organizing their colleagues at St. Joe's despite warnings that previous organizing efforts had failed.
Within a year, they helped Radiology, Respiratory Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and other departments form the hospital’s first Technical Unit, which ratified its first contract in 1999.
Please lookout for a vote notice once we can confirm when the ratification vote will take place. Members will all have a chance to review the vote documents and ask questions, we will also hold a meeting to discuss this historic TA very soon. Also, please thank your Bargaining Team! They worked very hard.
We’re getting ready to head to the bargaining table, and we want to hear from you!
Join our Union Bargaining Team for a Bargaining Kick-Off Meeting to talk about the upcoming negotiations, review bargaining priorities, discuss the bargaining process, and answer questions.
This is your opportunity to get involved, share what matters most to you, and help shape our priorities as we prepare for bargaining.
Meeting ID: 821 3753 7914 Passcode: 251390
Get Involved!
Strong contracts are built when members stay informed and involved. Join us as we kick off bargaining and make sure Jefferson County members’ voices are heard at the table.
We look forward to seeing you and hearing from you!
Our Union Bargaining Team has reached a Tentative Agreement with Olympic Medical Center and is recommending a YES vote!
After ten sessions across six months of negotiations, our union Bargaining Team reached the difficult but necessary decision to call for a strike authorization vote.
We’ve come to management with contract language addressing our positions being overstaffed by agency & traveler employees. Management have come to us rejecting this proposal.
Our Bargaining Team is thrilled to announce that on September 22, 2026, an overwhelming majority of our members voted YES and approved the contract! We now have a ratified contract!
Our Union Bargaining Team has been working for several months on an agreement to transition Audiology Assistants and Pathologist Assistants into the existing UFCW 3000 Kaiser Permanente Pro Tech Optical Contract and we have reached a tentative agreement. The Bargaining Team fully recommends this agreement.
SEATTLE – Today the Seattle City Council passed Mayor Katie Wilson’s Fair Pricing and Transparency ordinance with no corporate amendments that open the door to algorithmic pricing or weaken enforcement, making Seattle home to the strongest ban on surveillance pricing in the country.
The employer joined us for two bargaining sessions on September 17 and 18. They have hired a new legal counsel who seemingly is trying to set a different, more collaborative tone with our union. We reached Tentative Agreements on several topics, including an Artificial Intelligence Memorandum of Understanding and an Inclusion Memorandum of Understanding to help protect some of our members who are part of marginalized communities.
Join your Bargaining Team and coworkers for an update on the current bargaining campaigns on Tuesday, Sept 22, 5:30-6:30pm. We will give updates on the St. Michael and St. Joseph bargaining and how we can build power together. Please show your support for your bargaining teams by wearing your union swag with pride every day, but especially today, September 18, for our next bargaining session.
Any questions can be addressed to Charlie King at 360-409-0606 or a Bargaining Team Member.
Fresenius workers can see in Trevino’s story what solidarity looks like in action: Checking your check, speaking up when something's wrong, and stepping up to lead when your coworkers need you.
Read MoreThe 3% across-the-board wage increase for all members will be effective the second pay period after ratification. We will share when the ratification bonus will be paid as soon as we get confirmation from management.
Read MoreAt our last bargaining session, Fresenius management presented a Last Best and Final offer, which automatically triggers a contract vote on the Employer's proposal.
Please join our online vote information meetings next week to review and talk together about the Employer's offer.
If you have any questions, reach out to our Union Rep Charlie King or a member of our Bargaining Team.
Tuesday, December 16
11:30am - 3:30pm
South Tacoma Clinic
5825 Tacoma Mall Blvd
STE 103
Tacoma, WA 98409
Tuesday, December 9
6:30pm - 7:15pm
Wednesday, December 10
10am - 10:45am
Thursday, December 11
6:30pm - 7:15pm
Join Zoom Meeting >>
Meeting ID: 712 328 6135
Passcode: 36309
Union dialysis technicians at Fresenius Medical Care are fighting to win a fair contract and better working conditions. We need your support to ensure we can continue to provide vital patient care to our communities. Stand with us (and bring your voice!) at our upcoming Informational Picket! All patients, providers, families, friends, allies, and workers are welcome.
"Every single minute counts for dialysis treatment. Dialysis companies must listen to frontline caregivers: safer staffing and scheduling can't wait!"
— Fresenius Union Bargaining Team
October 29
4pm - 5:30pm
Fresenius Kidney Care South Tacoma Clinic
5825 Tacoma Mall Blvd #103, Tacoma, WA 98409
We met with Fresenius management again on Friday to bargain over the wages and working conditions we need to be able to continue providing safe, high-quality care for our dialysis patients. We reached tentative agreements on language for Precepting and PCT IIIs, Discrimination & Harassment-Free Workplace, and Low Census Rotation. Management rejected our proposed improvements to PTO accruals and ESL usage. Fresenius continues to offer substandard wage increases and no contractual commitments to help address staffing and patient scheduling concerns. Union Techs say enough is enough.
Read MoreFirst, some good news. Our team and Fresenius management tentatively agreed to add the PCT III job class to the contract, which we’re hopeful will bring fairer pay and job duty distribution.
Read More
Fresenius bargaining team is not amused with the wage proposals made by management (from left: Maria Lucas, PCT 2; Jovona Trevino, PCT 2; and Krista Smith, PCT 2).
We met with Fresenius management again on Friday to hear their long-awaited response to our economic proposals. We were excited to learn management agreed to add the GO4RN program to the contract so that any PCTs participating in the program will receive a 5% wage increase for each quarter of the program completed. They also made progress toward agreeing to add the PCT 3 position and its higher wages to the contract.
The excitement quickly faded when we learned that they rejected our longevity bonus proposal outright and, in terms of wage increases, are proposing a measly 1.5% raise on ratification, then a 1.5% raise in 2026 and another 1.5% raise in 2027. Even as management's very first wage proposal, 1.5% feels like a slap in the face. They also wholly rejected our reasonable proposals on safer patient scheduling and worker protections from harassment by difficult patients.
The fight is far from over. If you too are frustrated reading this, then join us at our next CAT meeting this Sunday, August 3 at the University Place branch of the Pierce County Library from 3:30-4:30pm and on Zoom. Your team will be there to talk about our last bargaining session and what we plan to do between now and the next bargaining date, August 18. We will be debuting a petition to demand that management take our bargaining proposals seriously on real wage increases and on safe patient scheduling. We'll also discuss actions we can take individually and as a team to show Fresenius we're united and we're not backing down. Reach out to your Rep Charlie or a bargaining team member with any concerns about the meeting or Zoom link. We'll see you there!
August 3
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
University Place Branch of the Pierce County Library
3609 Market Place W., Suite 100
University Place, WA 98466
"A 1.5% raise is just not going to cut it considering they just passed the highest tax increase in history. We deserve better."
— Krista Smith, PCT 2, bargaining team
Fresenius Puyallup team shows solidarity (From left: Tami Gordon, PCT 2; Anabelle Moran, PCT 2; and Susie McAlpine, PCT 2)
Our union bargaining team met again with Fresenius management on Friday to continue contract negotiations. Fresenius did not make any counter proposals to what we proposed last session, but we pushed forward and made proposals on:
Read MoreOur bargaining team continues negotiations with Fresenius management, who came in-person after two virtual sessions. We came ready to work; however, management took a different approach.
Read More"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
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.
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 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 >>
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 >>
On Thursday, September 22, members of UFCW 3000 at Fresenius overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new contract!
The contract included significant wage and premium increases and improvements to contract language. Thank you to bargaining team members Tiffani Davis and Michele Hardy.
To review the details of your contract or if you have a contract question, contact your rep Ryan Degouveia at 360-662-1989 or rdegouveia@ufcw3000.org.
If you know someone who is not getting these bargaining updates by email, or you need to update your contact information, please go here:
After months of bargaining we have reached a tentative agreement with Fresenius! The tentative agreement includes substantial wage and premium increases over three years and other contract improvements.
The details of the tentative agreement will be available during the online vote on September 22 from 5am-5pm.
You will receive an email from UFCW 3000 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information. All members in good standing are eligible to vote.
TO VOTE ONLINE: Make sure your information is up to date! In order to vote on this tentative agreement, make sure your personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email, please update your email address at: ufcw21.org/update-your-information
If you do not receive an email to vote on Thursday, September 22, please reach out to Union Rep Ryan Degouveia rdegouveia@ufcw3000.org or 360-662-1989 to provide an updated email address.
JOIN THE VOTE INFORMATION MEETING!
Wednesday, September 21
10-11:30am OR 6:30-8pm
It is important that members attend the Zoom Meeting to review the proposed contract changes and have your questions answered.
Contact a Bargaining Team member or your Union Rep for meeting details. Details will also be emailed to you.
Workers at Fresenius are standing up against low wages!
Many Fresenius workers have signed the petition asking management for fair wages and to respect the work we do!
Let management know that we need to be treated with respect!
If you have not signed the petition, here is the link:
Representatives from UFCW and WSNA are working together! Both the Techs and the Nurses are in bargaining and at both bargains it is clear that management isn’t worried about our low wages and serious staffing issues.
So we have started a second petition that is for community, family and friends to let them know what we need from Fresenius!
Sign the community petition below:
If you have need additional information, reach out to Union Representative Ryan Degouveia 360-662-1989 or rdegouveia@ufcw3000.org
If you or a coworker are not getting emails from us, use this link to update your contact information:
www.ufcw21.org/update-your-information
We have been working hard during contract negotiations August 15 and are scheduled to meet again August 22.
Our bargaining sessions now include a representative from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to help both sides come to an agreement. Management is saying they appreciate us, but the cost of living keeps going up and management is not offering wages to meet the increased costs we are facing every day. All this while we continue to be understaffed and are covering extra shifts.
Workers at Fresenius are standing up against low wages!
Many Fresenius workers have signed the petition asking management for fair wages and to respect the work we do!
Let management know that we need to be treated with respect!
If you have not signed the petition, here is the link:
For additional information contact Union Rep Ryan Degouveia @ 360-662-1989.
In solidarity, representatives from both UFCW and WSNA will be distributing buttons, which we are asking workers to wear. If you have not received a button, reach out to Union Representative Ryan Degouveia 360-662-1989 or rdegouveia@ufcw3000.org
This week we met with management and a federal mediator to let them know the wages they are offering are not enough! We need to pay our bills, feed our kids, put gas in our cars to get to work. We also need recognition for our long work hours and experience!
We have additional bargaining sessions set up for:
August 15 • August 22
Tell management they need to listen to workers and show some respect. Sign the petition:
https://bit.ly/Fresenius22
Join the Contract Action Team Meeting!
Thursday, August 11
10:00 AM • 6:00 PM
https://zoom.us/join
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.
If your coworkers are not receiving this update, they can go to:
www.ufcw21.org/update-your-information
“We’re continuing to fight for higher pay. We hope to win this war on wages!”
— Tiffani Davis, Bargaining Team
“Management said they appreciate our work but are not showing that in the wages they are offering. We need to stand together to get management to see we are united.”
— Michele Hardy, Bargaining Team
For additional information contact Union Rep Ryan Degouveia @ 360-662-1989.
We are working to get better wages. Contract Bargaining affects the next three years of our wages, benefits and working conditions so it’s essential that we stay informed about the issues and get involved. We will be having meetings to discuss ways to make this happen.
Make sure your contact information up-to-date so you receive important bargaining and benefits updates. www.ufcw21.org/update-your-information
Get involved. Find out how to win a better contract!
Learn about your on-the-job rights!
Join the Contract Action Team!
For more information contact your Union Rep Ryan Degouveia 360-662-1989
Your Bargaining Team is working on attaining competitive wage increases:
To mirror your skill and dedication
To Recruit and Retain great employees to end the staffing shortages!
To reward everyone who worked through difficult and unprecedented times!
We have met with management and made proposals around wages and non-economic contract language. We want your input and involvement! We will be holding regular Zoom Meetings and invite you to attend.
For additional information contact your Union Rep Ryan Degouveia @ 360-662-1989.
Fresenius Renal Care Contract Action Team Meeting
Tuesday, May 17 •6:00 PM
https://zoom.us/join
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.
“Show Fresenius that we will stand together to win the contract we deserve. Management is proposing less than bare minimum on wage increases. United we have a chance to be paid what we deserve and an amount we can live on and be proud of.”
— Tiffani Davis, South Tacoma
Bargaining Team Member
Update Your Contact Info
https://www.ufcw21.org/update-your-information
Our Bargaining Committee met with Fresenius Management on April 20 and April 26 to bargain over important improvements to our contract. Fresenius Management has indicated that they are prepared to bargain.
We are working on proposals that will improve wages and working conditions. It is essential that Management understands how valuable you are to them!
In the coming weeks we will ask you to participate in this process, so stay tuned!
In order for us to stay in close contact with you, please update your current information with UFCW 3000. Go to: ufcw21.org/update-your-information
Our Fresenius Bargaining Team: Michele Hardy, Tiffani Davis, Leif Ignacio
We are the Union. The members of UFCW 3000 are over 50,000 members working in grocery, retail, health care, meat packing, cannabis, & other industries across Washington state, north-east Oregon, and northern Idaho. UFCW 3000 is a chartered member of UFCW International with over 1.4 million workers in North America.
To build a powerful Union that fights for economic, political and social justice in our workplaces and in our communities.
Correcting the Record: Decades after Organizing Her Own Unit, Leslie Ball Is Still Fighting for Her Coworkers
Leslie Ball, a certified surgical technologist at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma and a longtime UFCW 3000 Union Steward, has spent decades standing up for herself and her coworkers.
Her fight for better working conditions began in the late 1990s, when she received a 30-cent wage increase, which ended up only being a five-cent raise after her employer reduced her shift differential by a quarter. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the value surgical techs bring to the table, she knew a nickel wasn’t going to cut it. So she and a coworker, Gail Miller, started organizing their colleagues at St. Joe's despite warnings that previous organizing efforts had failed.
Within a year, they helped Radiology, Respiratory Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and other departments form the hospital’s first Technical Unit, which ratified its first contract in 1999.
Jenny C., a transporter at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, knows what it looks like when management hopes a problem will just go away.
Jenny has watched the facility's transport elevators malfunction for more than a year, filing report after report after each incident she witnessed. Supervisors did not appear to take these complaints seriously.
