Kaiser Permanente Pro Tech Optical - Bargaining Update

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

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!

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

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.

Grays Harbor Hospital - Bargaining Update

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

Kaiser Permanente Pro Tech Optical - Bargaining Update

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

Jefferson Healthcare Pro Tech Clinic - Contract Ratified!

On Thursday, February 6, 2025, Union members at Jefferson Healthcare ratified the tentative agreement reached between Management and Employees. We appreciate all of the work done by the Bargaining Team and anticipate that the Board of Commissioners will vote on the new contract on February 19.

Highlights of the contract include:

• Wage increases after ratification:

  • 3% plus market increases of between $0.75 to $4.00 per hour for many positions and

  • 5% for all other positions not receiving a market increase.

• 4% increase October 31, 2025

• 4% increase October 31, 2026

• Ratification bonus of $750-$1550

• Increased Night Shift Differential

• Additional Hours Pay of $50.00-$100.00 per shift

• HUCs added to the low census guarantee of hours

• $4.00 On-call pay with extra pay for Surgery Techs and others working excessive call.
   

Copies of the ratified agreement will be available on the UFCW 3000 website.
Contract Page >>

For additional information reach out to Union Representative Kimberly Starkweather at (206) 436-6515.
Update Your Information >>  

Bargaining Update Jefferson Pro Tech/Clinic

On Tuesday, December 31, we had a short bargaining session. We presented a full economic proposal to Management and received their response right before the end of the session.

Management had previously proposed a wage scale that included a percentage-based wage increase for all positions and an additional flat dollar increase for some positions. This created a wage scale where the total percentage increase varied depending on the step.

Our response to Management was a percentage-based wage increase for everyone, with an additional percentage increase for jobs currently below the local market. Management has been trying to compete with local hospitals, specifically Whidbey Health Medical Center, Olympic Medical Center, and St. Michael Medical Center.

The package proposal we presented to management also included proposals on Weekend and Shift Differentials, pay for work on an unscheduled day, Certification and BSN/MSN pay, Preceptor Pay, pay for additional hours, an updated Surgical Tech, Imaging Tech, RT/RCP agreements.

We are reviewing Management’s new proposal and preparing to respond when we meet next week. Our next bargaining session is scheduled for January 10th.

For additional Information reach out to a Bargaining Team Member or to Union Representative Kimberly Starkweather 206-436-6515.

Bargaining Team: Donita French, Casey Paredes, Leanne Potts and Kim Vasenda.

Update your contact information: https://ufcw3000.org/update-your-information

Not a member yet? Join here: https://join.ufcw.org/join/3000

Jefferson Healthcare Pro Tech/Clinic - Bargaining Update

We have met twice over the past week to bargain over wages and benefits. Management presented a complex proposal for wages, which included an across the board increase (a percentage increase for all positions) as well as market wage increases (wages to move us closer to the competition) for many positions. Jefferson has said they have reviewed wages at Whidbey, St. Michaels and Olympic Medical Center as competitors. Their current proposal does not raise wages enough to meet the competition.

We are working on a counter-proposal which takes into account the high cost of living in and around Port Townsend, as well as the competitive wages of local hospitals, focusing on some of the same hospitals management is referencing. We are carefully taking into consideration that current wages for some positions come close to St. Michael and Olympic already, but many do not and require significant increases.

Our team is setting higher standards for on-call and shift differentials, seeking better PTO cash-out and deferral, working on adding HUCs to the low census guarantee language, establishing minimum wage parameters, increasing certification and preceptor pay and proposing a new section which addresses extra pay for extra shifts.

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for December 31.

Bargaining Team: Donita French, Casey Paredes, LeAnne Potts, Kim Vasenda

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

Update Contact Information >>
Join the Union >>

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

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:

• Pro-Tech & Optical

• Pharmacy Contract & Rep

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

Kaiser Market wage increases ratified!

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!

Olympic Medical Center Pro Tech Vote to Change Eligibility Time to Use Vacation Accruals

Olympic Medical Center Pro Tech

Vote to Change Eligibility Time to Use Vacation Accruals

We have a tentative agreement with OMC to shorten the number of months worked before employees are eligible to use accrued vacation.

This is a change to the current Pro Tech Contract so will require a vote of Union Members. Contract change votes scheduled:

Port Angeles: Monday, March 11, 2024 3:00pm-7:00pm

Olympic Medical Center in the Fairshter Meeting Room, 939 Caroline Street. Port Angeles, WA 98362

Sequim: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 8:00am-9:30am

Medical Services Building (MSB) in the Conference Room, 840 N 5th Avenue. Sequim, WA 98382

You must be a member in good standing to be eligible to vote.

If you have questions please contact Union Representative Aimee Oien at 360-662-1981

Make sure your personal contact information is up to date >>

WhidbeyHealth Professional and Technical Contract Ratified!

On Wednesday, December 13, the WhidbeyHealth collective bargaining agreement for professional and technical workers was ratified, with 98% of those voting “Yes” to approve the tentative agreement!

Our Bargaining Team wishes to congratulate everyone on their contract and thank them for their patience throughout 2023 as we negotiated this agreement.

Ratification bonuses of $1,200 pro-rated by FTE (for instance, a .5 FTE will receive $600) will be on our pay checks this December 22, less standard deductions.

“We are happy to have been able to help facilitate settling this contract. Getting paid for our ‘real’ experience is huge! We’re always looking for co-workers to get involved in this process to help continue to support one another.”- Jennifer MacNeill, Medical Technical Lead

Bargaining Team: Jennifer MacNeill, Medical Technical Lead; Rosalie Nguyen, Pharmacy.

Olympic Medical Center (ProTech) - Contract Ratified

Olympic Medical Center (ProTech)
Contract Ratified

On November 30 and December 1, workers overwhelmingly voted YES to ratify a new Union Contract.

Highlights of the contract include:

• 7% wage increase paid the first full pay period following ratification

• Market increases for many jobs

• 2024: 6% wage increase, first full pay period following March 31, 2024

• 2025: 6% wage increase, first full pay period following March 31, 2025

• $1000 bonus prorated based on FTE in each of 2024 and 2025

• New Step 13 added in 2024 for all positions at 2% higher than Step 12

• Shift differential: $3.00 Evening/$5.00 Nights

• $4.00 standby

• Callback/call-in on day off at two times the normal rate of pay

• $3.25 lead pay

• $4.50 weekend premium

• LOU for hazardous drug mixing

• $2.00 certification premium

For more information, contact Union Rep Aimee Oien @ 360-662-1981.

WhidbeyHealth Pro-Tech Contract Votes Scheduled

On November 28 and November 30 our Bargaining Team met again with the Employer to negotiate. While continuing to try to come to an agreement over economic issues, and in particular the wage scale, we were somewhat surprised that the Employer presented us with a Last, Best, and Final offer on all outstanding issues. This means that a vote on what that offer is will be forthcoming on Wednesday, December 13. While we had not expected to have to make this decision quite yet, we are recommending a “Yes” vote to ratify the offer.

Some of the highlights include:

• Wage parity as of April 1, 2024: We secured agreement that WhidbeyHealth would recognize past experience for represented workers at 100%. Many of our more senior employees who may be in the middle of the wage scale would move up the scale if they have more years of experience in their job classification than the step they are on actually represents. This will happen in the coming year if we approve the contract.

• Market adjustments of wage scales: When the mid-cycle wage bargain happened in 2022 the result was that many people further up the scale received increases that put them ahead of what workers earn at competing hospitals. This also resulted in workers on the earlier steps of the wage scale earning less than what workers earn at competing hospitals. Thus, management concentrated on increases at the lower steps in this bargaining cycle.

• Ratification bonuses: If we ratify the contract with a “Yes” vote on Wednesday, December 13, we will receive $1,200 ratification bonuses pro-rated by FTE. For example if you are a .5, you will receive $600.

Contract Votes: Wednesday, December 13

Main Hospital Coupeville HEC Room C: 5:00am—8:00am, 12pm—2:00pm, 5:00pm—8:00

Clinic 1: Oak Harbor-Cabot Break Room: 3:30pm—4:30pm

Clinic 2: Oak Harbor -Goldie Conference Room: 2:30pm—3:00pm

Clinic: Freeland Break Room: 10:00am—10:30am

Clinic: Clinton Break Room: 9:00am—9:30am

We look forward to seeing you at the following times to discuss the offer and vote on it. Members in good standing are eligible to vote.

Our Union Bargaining Team: Jennifer MacNeill, Medical Technical Lead; Rosalie Nguyen, Pharmacy