Grays Harbor Hospital - Bargaining Update

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We continue to make progress towards a new collective bargaining agreement. We have spent countless hours talking about what wages in other hospitals look like, and management has finally started coming into bargaining with some proposals worth thinking about. They have indicated that they have no interest in increasing PTO accruals or subsidizing the cost of health benefits more than they currently do, but instead want to invest in some significant wage increases for many jobs that have fallen below market. We disagree on their assessment of pay for some jobs and have shared a lot of data with them. We have also shared personal stories illustrating the ongoing challenges of working short.

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for August 27.

We are holding a Contract Action Meeting immediately following bargaining:

Contract Action Meeting

August 27
6:00 PM
Duffy's Meeting Room

  • 1605 Simpson Avenue

  • Aberdeen WA 98520

For additional information, contact a bargaining team member or Union Representative Kimberly Starkweather (206) 436-6515.

Bargaining Team: Dan James, Eric Timmons, Janet Byrd, Ana Garcia, Debi Sturm, Bambi Shope

Sequim School District Maintenance - The District Makes Positive Moves, Except for Wages

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Our first day of bargaining with the District had its positive points, a modest increase to the clothing allowance, movement towards being able to cash out some vacation time, adding Juneteenth as a holiday, and an exchange of ideas about improving safety. But that was soured by disappointment on wages. We don’t think that the employer heard us when we talked about needing better wages to pay our bills and getting serious about providing real money to workers taking positions of increased responsibilities and training.

We will be back bargaining again on September 14, so stay tuned because we might need to take action to make sure the District hears us.

Your Bargaining Team: Tharon Iverson, Aaron Colwill, Joe Gordon, Erik Cisneros

“Why take on new responsibilities for just a little extra money?”

— Joe Gordon, Bargaining Committee Member