Kaiser Permanente Pro Tech Optical - Bargaining Update

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We are still bargaining nationally over wages. Although KP nationally has proposed wage increases that bring some positions closer to other Washington Employers, we are still fighting for wage equity for ALL workers.

Locally, we continue to bargain over market increases, which allows for consideration of jobs that have fallen below the market. KPWA management has made it clear that they are not considering what other health care competitors are paying when making proposals. Instead, they want to wait and see if there is a future problem hiring certain job classifications and may consider paying higher wages. NOT RESPECTFUL!

Kaiser is proposing that all wage adjustments, differentials, and premiums be effective the first full pay period 120 days after ratification. This means that increases would not go into effect until at least April. NOT ACCEPTABLE!

Kaiser just officially announced that Capitol Hill is expanding their hospital services and will be doing more acute care. We anticipate that this means higher acuity patients and more surgeries, in addition to workflow changes for many positions that fall under the Pro Tech/Optical and Pharmacy contracts. We have been asking for information regarding these changes for several months, and Kaiser has just officially notified us. NOT PARTNERSHIP!

HAVE YOU FILLED OUT THE STRIKE PLEDGE CARD? >>

For additional information, contact a Bargaining Team member or:

  • Aisha Womack, Union Rep: 206-436-6584

  • JJ Benson, Contract Specialist: 425-306-1357

If someone you know isn't getting updates: Update Your Information >>

Pro Tech Optical Bargaining Team: Nicole Merriam, Sarah Lau, Ashleigh Aufort, Chandra Allen, Vicki Kobeski, Juli Bell, Bryana Kolppa

Kaiser Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy - Bargaining Update

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Kaiser Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy
Bargaining Update

Thank you for attending our Contract Action Meeting this week. It was good to hear from you and share more information about what's been happening in both local and national bargaining. We will let you know when we have information on another meeting.

Before we met with you Wednesday night, both the Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy teams met with Kaiser and bargained over market increases. These increases are specifically meant for positions that are not in line with other local health care providers. Market increases should be competitive, so Kaiser can hire workers. When Kaiser doesn't pay competitive wages, we all work harder to cover for unfilled positions.

We also bargained over how and when increases might be implemented. We do not currently have any agreement on the implementation dates for increases, but will continue discussions and advocating for timely implementation of all contractual economic improvements.

We are working towards a contract that is sustainable and encourages people to want to continue working with Kaiser.

Kaiser: Make a Commitment to Fair Wages!

We are scheduled to continue bargaining the National Agreement October 28-29 as well as working on the Pharmacy and Pro Tech Optical contracts.

For additional information contact a Bargaining Team member or:

Aisha Womack 206-436-6584 Union Rep

JJ Benson 425-306-1357 Contract Specialist

If someone you know isn't getting updates: Update Your Information >>

Pro Tech Optical Bargaining Team: Nicole Merriam, Sarah Lau, Ashleigh Aufort, Chandra Allen, Vicki Kobeski, Juli Bell, Bryana Kolppa

Pharmacy Bargaining Team: Cesar Galloso, Jason Lindquist, Kay Halverson, JJ Benson, Krystal Krotzer, Mark Stewart

Kaiser Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy - WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH STRIKING KAISER WORKERS!

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The following National Alliance of Healthcare Workers Unions are holding a five-day strike October 14-18:

  • UNAC/UHCP (California)

  • HNHP Hawaii Nurses & Healthcare Professionals (Hawaii)

  • UNITE HERE Local 5 (Hawaii)

  • USW United Steelworkers 7600 (California)

  • OFNHP AFT Local 5017 (Oregon and Southern Washington/Vancouver)

These contracts have all expired and workers are striking for better staffing, wages, and retirement benefits.

Our local contracts include Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy. The Pro Tech Optical contract expired on October 1. The Pharmacy contract will expire July 31, 2026.

We have continued to bargain local contracts. Last week we met with management for several days. We are working on local economics including market increases (getting KPWA positions closer to other area healthcare).

September 15-17 we emailed and texted asking you to let Kaiser know: NO PROGRESS NO PULSE! Thank you for sending Kaiser this message!

Last week we sent a letter to Greg Adams notifying him that we are putting a pause on partnership activities, notably:

  • Regional and Local Labor Management Partnership Councils

  • Workplace Safety Committees

  • Attendance Committees and Reviews

  • Unit-Based Teams (UBTs) and UBT Projects

  • Steward Training Sessions

  • Alliance-Partnership Representatives

  • Workforce of the Future Initiatives

We are continuing to ask all KPWA UFCW workers: Will you do what it takes for this contract?

If you need a pledge card, reach out and we will make sure you get one.

You are invited to attend a virtual Contract Action Meeting. Find out what's happening in local bargaining, national bargaining, and next steps.

Kaiser Pro-Tech Optical Pharmacy - Pause on Partnership

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All Alliance locals have sent notifications to Greg Adams, letting him know that we are immediately pausing participation in Labor Management Partnership (LMP) activities found in the National Agreement.

This action comes after a consistent pattern of disregard for partnership principles—delays, scripted responses, and a lack of genuine engagement. The LMP was created to solve problems together and improve care, not to serve as a formality. When leadership stops listening, partnership stops working.

Therefore, the following LMP structures and activities are paused, effective noon PST on October 8, 2025:

  • Regional and Local Labor Management Partnership Councils

  • Workplace Safety Committees

  • Attendance Committees and Reviews

  • Unit-Based Teams (UBTs) and UBT Projects

  • Steward Training Sessions

  • Alliance-Partnership Representatives

  • Workforce of the Future Initiatives

For additional information reach out to Contract Specialist JJ Benson 425-306-1357 or Union Representative Aisha Womack 206-436-6584.

Kaiser Permanente Pro Tech Optical - Bargaining Update

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We are negotiating with KP management for both a new National Agreement and a Local Contract for Pro Tech Optical workers. Our bargaining team has met several times with management to find common interests that will ultimately lead to strong and enforceable agreements.

Nationally we are focused on sustainable wages and benefits for all employees at KP, as well as finding solutions to ongoing staffing problems, challenges working in partnership, and the future of AI and how it might change our jobs and the way we do business.

Locally we are negotiating for:

  • Market wages and premiums (to keep us competitive with other professional, technical, and optical workers in Washington State.)

  • Improvements to the rebid and restructure language to make it simpler and more equitable.

  • Process improvements for travel groups and floating between work locations.

  • Recognition of all positions in the contract including any new positions.

We have discussed Specialty Certification Pay, how changes can be made to the list of certifications, and how people can access it. This is important because there are a number of jobs that qualify for Certification Pay but people either do not know about the pay or have difficulty accessing it.

We have an Education Committee that reviews all certifications and makes sure the list of certifications is updated and consistently applied. It is critical that we meet regularly with management to make sure this happens. Management has proposed eliminating this committee, but we know it rewards workers who take the time to upgrade their skills and provides additional compensation. They have also proposed getting rid of the Joint Labor Management Committee, which is critical to our ability to have ongoing communication with management, so they know what the issues are that we deal with every day and can work with us to change the things that just don't work.

We have let management know that we want a better KP and eliminating employee input and partnership is not the direction we need to go.

We are bargaining both the National Agreement and our Pro Tech Optical Agreement this week and will keep you posted on progress.

For additional information, contact a bargaining team member.

If someone you know isn't getting updates: Update Your Information >>

Bargaining Team: Nicole Merriam, Sarah Lau, Ashleigh Aufort, Chandra Allen, Vicki Kobeski, Juli Bell, Bryana Kolppa

Kaiser Permanente Pro Tech, Optical, & Pharmacy: Wage Increases Coming Soon!

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Hooray! Wage Increases in Upcoming Paychecks

Kaiser UFCW 3000 membership ratified historic mid-contract wage increases for all members on April 19. Management gave word that those increases have been processed in HRConnect and we anticipate your new wage to be in your next paycheck coming on 6/21/2024.

Please note: The retroactive pay will not be on this same paycheck. The retroactive pay for all hours worked (from the effective date until now) will be coming in either of the the next two pay periods: 7/5/24 or 7/19/24.

The wage increases ranged from 5% to 9% depending on job classification. To understand your new wage, multiply your current wage by 1.05, 1.06, or 1.09:

e.g. $30.00 x 1.05 = $31.50
       $25.60 x 1.09 = $27.90

Please reach out to your Union Representative or Contract Specialist with any questions or concerns!

Contract and rep information:

Know someone who is not getting updates?
Send them to update the contact information we have on file here.

Kaiser Market wage increases ratified!

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MARKET WAGE INCREASES RATIFIED!

KP ProTech/Optical and Pharmacy union members turned out yesterday in record numbers to say YES to increased wages!

After several months of union members pushing back against wage disparities through petitions, a demand letter, hundreds of postcards and using our collective voice, KP agreed to increase wages for UFCW Members.

Wage increases will be effective the beginning of the next full pay period.

Implementation of the wage increases will be in 90-120 days.

KP ProTech/Optical and Pharmacy members should see retro pay within two pay periods following the implementation date.

Congratulations!

Kaiser Pro-Tech & Optical - Online Vote on NEW CONTRACT EXPIRATION DATE!

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Kaiser Pro-Tech & Optical - Online Vote on NEW CONTRACT EXPIRATION DATE!

After lengthy negotiations, UFCW and Kaiser have agreed to change the contract expiry date from April 30, 2025 to October 1, 2025. This new expire date lines up with the National Alliance Agreement! This change is fully recommended by members of the Bargaining Team!

The full proposal language will be made available during the online vote on August 30, 2022 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 receive a secure ballot to vote on this contract expiration date change, make sure your personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email please visit ufcw21.org/update-your-information to update or scan the QR code with your phone camera ▸

If you do not receive an email to vote on August 30, 2022, please reach out our Union Representative Rhonda Fisher-Ivie at 206-436-6584 to provide an updated email address.

PRE-VOTE INFORMATION MEETING August 29!

Drop in between 9–10am or 7–8pm on August 29. It is important that members attend the Zoom Meeting to review the proposed expiry date change and have your questions answered.

Kaiser Pro Tech Optical Tentative Agreement Reached on local & national bargains

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Kaiser Pro Tech Optical

Tentative Agreement Reached on local & national bargains!

Our Bargaining Team has reached a tentative agreement with Kaiser on a new four-year local collective bargaining agreement for Pro Tech Optical and a National Agreement through the Alliance of Health Care Unions. We are very excited to tell you that these agreements include the following:

  • COMPETITIVE WAGE INCREASES each year of the agreement and continued bonuses through the Performance Sharing Program 3% 2021; 3% 2022; 2% + 2% bonus 2023; 2% + 2% bonus 2024

  • INCLUDES FULL RETRO PAY BACK TO October 1, 2021

  • Increase Retiree Medical from $350 per year of service to

  • $1,000 per year of service

  • Improvements to Certification Pay and access to Education Funds

  • And so much more!

Full details of the contract offers will be available during online vote on Wednesday, December 8 from 6AM to 8PM. You will receive an email from UFCW 21 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information.

to vote online Make sure your information is up to date!

In order to vote on both proposals, everyone needs to make sure their personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email, please visit ufcw21.org/update-your-information and update your information. If you do not receive an email to vote on December 8, please reach out to Union Representative Rhonda Fisher-Ivie at rfisherivie@ufcw21.org or 206-436-6584 no later than 5PM on the day of the vote to provide an updated email address.

UFCW21 Kaiser Update - TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED!

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After months of local and national bargaining, Informational Picketing and Leaflets, and negotiating last week through the night - UFCW21 and all Union Members in the Alliance of Health Care Unions reached a Tentative Agreement on all contracts!

In Local negotiations for both Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy, our Bargaining Team won additional improvements in premiums and staffing and contractual language, with NO TAKEAWAYS. We secured improvements for Optical and Pharmacy’s Sound Health Retirement Pension- with a guarantee to increase contribution rates to a percentage of salary during the life of the contract. Other highlights include increasing Retiree Medical for all KPWA UFCW21 members from $350 to $1000 for every year of service and Strong Across the Board Wage increases and bonuses each year of the contract. We will continue partnering with SEIU and OPEIU to advocate for improvements to our healthcare in KPWA.

Additionally, the newly organized Spokane Pharmacy Techs won a historic contract including the Western Washington wage scale, maintaining their current retirement, new premiums and benefits, and an accretion allowing them to unite in strength and solidarity with hundreds of UFCW21 Pharmacy members in Western Washington.

In the next couple of days, UFCW21 will send out a vote notice to all members with dates and times of votes in December.

Please update your contact information- so that you receive all notices and can participate in meetings and the Online Vote in Western Washington. Spokane Pharmacy Techs will have an in-person Vote Meeting in Spokane. Go to: ufcw21.org/update-your-information

Read the full bargaining update from Alliance at: ufcw21.org/s/alliance-update-we-did-it.pdf

Kaiser Permanente Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy - Enough is Enough! Strike Authorization Votes Set for December 8

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On Wednesday KP Professional, Technical and Optical workers along with community allies marched in informational pickets at clinics in Bellevue, Capitol Hill and Tacoma. In Silverdale, union members handed out leaflets to patients and community members. The weather was clear and all participants had fun with chants, waving signs and enjoying the opportunity to come out on a lunch break and tell KP enough is ENOUGH!

The morning began as our coworkers from SEIU 1199 and OPEIU 8 wore stickers in solidarity in all three picket locations. At 11:30 when the marching and chanting began, KP was prepared with a strong presence of both security and management. One member commented that she had rarely seen security until this day and had never seen the director prowling around the doorways.

The media were present to capture all the noise and excitement. Union members were happy at Capitol Hill when a local business brought cups of hot chocolate to warm them up!

In the News!

Health Care Workers to Picket at 3 Kaiser Permanente Hospitals

https://www.q13fox.com/news/health-care-workers-to-picket-at-3-kaiser-permanente-hospitals

Kaiser Permanente Workers Picket in Preparation for Possible Strike

https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2021/11/04/62541228/kaiser-permanente-workers-picket-in-preparation-for-possible-strike

In Washington, we return back to local and national bargaining this week. UFCW 21 is preparing next steps which include a Strike Authorization Vote on

December 8 for members in the Pro-Tech Optical and Spokane units—and training for all leaders on common questions regarding strikes. More information to come!

Remember—it is a violation of Labor Law to intimidate workers engaged in protected concerted union activity, so workers should not experience any retaliation for their actions picketing or leafleting. Please notify UFCW 21 immediately if you have reason to believe you are being retaliated against in any way.

National Bargaining Update

National Bargaining continues. KP is still ignoring the worker shortage and the dedication all employees have shown throughout the pandemic by offering low increases and a two-tier wage system, meaning future employees will earn less.

Last week, three of the Alliance’s largest unions—UNAC/UHCP (SCAL Bargaining Units), USW Local 7600, and OFNHP—have announced that they will strike starting November 15 unless negotiations improve. Collectively, the three unions represent 32,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in CA, OR, and WA. An additional 8,000 Alliance members have taken strike votes and may issue a strike notice shortly. Nationally, conversations continue this week to try and reach an agreement before the November 15 deadline.

See the full update with recent economic proposals here:

https://qrco.de/nov4update

Questions? Please contact Union Representative Rhonda Fisher-Ivie, 206-436-6584 or Contract Specialist Christina Delgado, 425-306-1357.