Our Team feels that the tone of negotiations so far seems much more productive than our 2022 bargain! It has been a bit slow as both our team and Management’s take each proposal into careful consideration, but this is not a bad thing.
Read MoreOn Monday, March 17 our union bargaining team for the RNs at St. Peter Hospital met with Providence to kick-off 2025 negotiations. To start our day, we focused primarily on the “non-economic” sections of our contract, encompassing Articles which don’t directly relate to wages, premiums, or benefits, and presented management with our initial proposals on items like
Read MoreOur Union Negotiating Committee held its first bargaining session with St. Michael Medical Center management on March 6. In preparation, our team spent several days analyzing bargaining surveys, reviewing regional union contracts, and thoroughly assessing our current contract for areas needing improvement.
Read MoreFollowing highly attended vote meetings throughout Tuesday, February 18, our Mary Bridge RN union bargaining team are thrilled to announce that our 2024 – 2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement has been overwhelmingly ratified!
Read MoreTri-Cities Community Health has proposed a temporary memorandum of understanding to address the RN staffing challenges in Behavior Health.
Read MoreFollowing eleven bargaining dates over the course of nearly six months, our Case Manager RN bargaining team at Auburn Medical Center are overjoyed to announce that we have reached a fully recommended tentative agreement outlining our proposed entry into the RN union contract.
At our last scheduled session on January 22, we met MultiCare at the table, and proudly announced that we’d secured a supermajority of strike pledge card signatures in our unit. Pairing this with discussions around our continued priorities in these negotiations—MultiCare requested an emergency bargaining session on Monday, January 27 to get back to the table as soon as possible and continue working towards a deal.
Considering the many challenges we’ve faced throughout bargaining, our solidarity and resolve have led to what we strongly believe is a groundbreaking agreement for Case Manager RNs at Auburn Medical Center, including:
Experience credit towards placement on the RN wage scale
Access to premiums, differentials, daily overtime, and all of the union protections contained in the RN contract
Protections around Case Manager RNs floating into other clinical areas of the hospital
A specific wage differential for Senior Case Manager RNs
RATIFICATION BONUS!
To read the full agreement and cast your ballot, we encourage all newly-organized Case Manager RNs to drop-by our vote meetings!
Monday, February 10
MultiCare Auburn Medical Center
Cascade Training Room
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Your AMC Bargaining Team: Sarah Murry, RN; Amber Hamilton, Case Manager RN; Nicole Joseph, Case Manager RN; Cory Larsen, RN; Nick White, RN; Mary Lou Gustafson, RN.
Following our bargaining date on Wednesday, January 22, and our announcement to MultiCare that the RNs at Auburn Medical Center had reached a majority of Strike Pledge Card signatures in less than a week’s time—management requested that we meet again at the table as soon as possible to continue negotiations on our successor bargaining agreement.
Our team recognized that this was an extremely important moment in our ongoing fight for a strong contract—in the sense that nurses were standing up and ready to take action, and that we may finally have MultiCare’s full attention.
As a result of this momentum, our union bargaining team are proud to announce that we have secured a fully recommended tentative agreement on our new contract, which includes highlights such as:
An all-new wage scale that places AMC RNs pay above many of our top competitors at nearly all steps
Increased Continuing Education funds
Ratification bonus as well as bonuses for our coworkers at the top of the wage scale each year of the contract!
ALL NEW safe staffing language, including a premium for RNs who care for a higher number of patients than the state-submitted staffing plan outlines!
To read the full agreement and check-out all of the additional wins we secured, we encourage all AMC Nurses in good standing to drop-by our vote meetings and cast your ballot.
Tuesday, February 11
MultiCare Auburn Medical Center
MOB Classroom (1st Floor)
6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
“These negotiations have been incredibly challenging- but our bargaining team heard you all, and continued to listen throughout this process. The power that we’ve built together resulted in a contract that we’re confident will really start to fix the many issues RNs at AMC have faced, and keep AMC safe for patients and for nurses.”
—Cory Larsen, RN @ AMC
Your AMC bargaining team (L-R): Sarah Murry, RN; Amber Hamilton, Case Manager RN; Nicole Joseph, Case Manager RN; Cory Larsen, RN; Nick White, RN; Mary Lou Gustafson, RN.
On Wednesday, January 22, our Auburn Medical Center RN & Case Manager RN bargaining team met with MultiCare for our tenth bargaining session of this contract cycle.
During this session, we felt a significant shift in the balance of power. The energy and solidarity from our well-attended Informational Picket just days prior were still palpable. When we met with MultiCare in the afternoon to present our counter proposals- we also shared that in just six days' time more than 180 nurses had signed our strike pledge...
52%!
This turnout is nothing short of extraordinary, and even at the time this update is being written, that number continues to grow.
Sharing this with MultiCare sent a powerful message: Auburn Medical Center nurses are fed up, and ready to take action. For far too long, our concerns have been ignored, dismissed, or brushed aside- and paired with five months of rejected proposals aimed at addressing the severe staffing shortages and improving recruitment and retention- we are demanding the respect and attention we deserve.
In response to our renewed strength and resolve, management responded with urgency, and requested that we schedule additional bargaining sessions as soon as available. Our bargaining team agree that this next session will determine our path forward. We are hopeful that MultiCare show up ready to work, and ready to bargain in good faith to get RNs and RN Case Managers at AMC the fair contract we deserve.
STRIKE PLEDGE CARD
If you have not yet signed our strike pledge, please do so through here! >>
Update Your Information >>
After two sessions of bargaining and countless hours of hard work and dedication put in by our bargaining team, we were able to recommend and ratify our new contract which included competitive wages, increases to many premiums with additional premiums for those that go above the minimum requirements which we believe will help recruit and retain qualified Nurses.
We look forward to building on the foundation that we have strengthened and unified during these negotiations. We are calling on all nurses to get involved and share the responsibility in building a strong union within our facilities and show Samaritan Health that we will not be divided in our fight for a fair contract that recognizes and respects all of our hard work and dedication.
Please contact your bargaining team or Union Rep Amy Radcliff at (509) 340-7370 with any questions or concerns.
Your Bargaining Team:
Babette Donnelly, RN ER
Kina Treiber, RN Mother Baby
Ruth Cammack, RN Mother Baby
Teresa Erickson, RN ICU
Russell Roden, RN Clinic
Following negotiations with MultiCare at our previous bargaining session on December 15, our Mary Bridge RN Bargaining Team was looking forward to getting back to the table on January 7 to continue our work on achieving a 2025 successor union contract. Unfortunately, Tuesday session was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Read MoreOur bargaining team for Auburn Medical Center RNs and RN Case Managers met with MultiCare on Thursday, January 2, marking the eighth day of negotiations this cycle.
Following our previous session with management on December 11, and a highly attended Contract Action Team meeting on December 16, our team was empowered and eager to continue pushing for a strong contract that reflects the hard work and dedication of Auburn Medical Center nurses.
After much anticipation spent awaiting management’s responses, our team was presented with an economic offer from MultiCare that we feel continues to undervalue our nurses by raising their previous proposal by a mere half of one percent—bringing the new total to 7.50%.
Even more concerning, MultiCare’s proposals for across-the-board wage increases in Years 2 and 3 of our contract (3.00% and 2.75%, respectively) are not only well below current market standards but could further widen the gap between the wages of Auburn Medical Center nurses and those at competing King County hospitals.
Another major point of frustration is MultiCare’s continued rejection of our proposal for a Staffing Premium—contract language that mirrors agreements in place at two other MultiCare hospitals. Despite extensive discussion, MultiCare claims they are “unsure how to implement and track” the premium at Auburn Medical Center... puzzling, considering they have successfully implemented similar provisions at their other worksites.
Overall, we feel MultiCare is not acknowledging the realities of the nursing wage market in King County. As a result, we spent the rest of the day on January 2 planning the next steps to stand together and demand change, including holding an Informational Picket at the Medical Center.
If MultiCare doesn’t see our value, then we will make sure they see OUR SOLIDARITY!
MultiCare Auburn Medical Center
Thursday, January 16, 2025
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
RSVP Here >>
& Join our Picket-Making-Party on January 13 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM:
UFCW 3000 Office
23040 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines, WA 98198
Join us for a 30-minute drop-in meeting before each day of negotiations from 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Click Here to Join >>
Update your contact information now to stay up to date!
Update Your Information >>
Your Bargaining Team:
Nick White, RN
Nicole Joseph, Case Manager RN
Sandy Hegg, Case Manager RN
Cory Larsen, RN
Sarah Murry, RN
On December 30, a majority of RN/LPN voters approved the new contract! This agreement includes meaningful improvements:
7.5% or $3/hour wage increase the first full pay period following ratification
Elimination of the $1.722 per compensable hour health insurance contributions
Bonus shift pay
Increased premiums
Other changes aimed at retaining and recruiting staff
Over the next few weeks, we'll be drafting and formatting the final version of the contract. Once it's signed, we'll post it on the UFCW 3000 website and distribute copies to all bargaining unit members. In the meantime, you can review the redline contract and updated wage scale here: View Contract >>
We've filed a grievance regarding missed bonus pay for nurses who signed up for bonus shifts and were later canceled. Under the previous contract, these nurses should still have received bonus pay, but the Hospital claims otherwise.
We strongly disagree and are fighting for backpay. If you've been affected, please gather any documentation of bonus shifts you picked up but were canceled. Your records are important for determining the liability.
If you receive discipline or are called into an investigatory meeting, notice changes to your workplace conditions, or have other contract questions, please contact your Union Rep Kimberly Starkweather (206) 436-6515.
Ashley House Admin has notified us that they are not in a position to provide immediate wage increases. They have also said that their intent is to provide sustainable wage increases in 2025 and beyond.
Read MoreAfter several bargaining sessions, our bargaining team is proud to announce that we have a tentative agreement.
Read MoreOur Bargaining Team is excited to announce we have reached a tentative agreement with Samaritan Health Hospital that recognizes our hard work and dedication. The employer heard our team’s requests regarding wages and equity and made significant changes that the bargaining team believes will improve retention and recruitment while boosting satisfaction. We still have work to do and will continue the work through the next three years so that we can build on what we have worked so hard for. We look forward to sharing all the details at our vote.
Drop-In Vote Meeting!
Monday January 6, 2025
Room 404
6:00 AM — 10:00 AM
2:00 PM — 5:00 PM
Please join the bargaining team in voting YES! Complete documents will be available for review at the vote. You must be a member in good standing to vote. Please reach out to your Union Representative at (509) 340-7369 or any member of the bargaining team with questions.
“We stood in unity and achieved a fair and equitable contract for Samaritan RNs!”
We are happy to announce that our RN contract was ratified on Monday December 16, 2024.
Read MoreOn Monday, December 16, our Mary Bridge Registered Nurses (RNs) again joined forces with the Diabetes Educator nurses to continue negotiations with MultiCare over our 2024 Collective Bargaining Agree
Read MoreOn December 10 and 11, Our RN Union Bargaining Team met with Hospital Management to continue negotiations. Both sides exchanged comprehensive proposals addressing economic and workplace conditions. Throughout the discussions, we emphasized the urgent need to offer wages and benefits that keep us competitive with nearby facilities like St. Michael Medical Center and Olympic Medical Center.
Read MoreOn Monday December 2, we informed the hospital management team that we were sticking with our original proposal for strong wage increases, emphasizing that it is essential for Jefferson to provide wages that are both competitive and sustainable to meet the high cost of living. Our other proposals included increased Shift Differential, On-Call/Low Census Standby Pay, Weekend Differential, Charge Pay, Preceptor Pay as well as changes to Resource RN parameters and pay, PTO Maximum Accruals (specifically when PTO is denied and the nurse is close to reaching the maximum), and changes to PTO Cash out and Deferral options. We also responded on language regarding Holidays and Low Census Rotation.
We had an extensive discussion about scheduling. Although both teams have an interest in some self-scheduling practices, Management's initial proposal for scheduling was restrictive and unsustainable, particularly around weekend work. We expressed in great detail our concerns over this proposal. Management agreed to review their proposal and make revisions. We are currently working on a response to their revised proposal as well as our proposals for Healthcare and Pension and the Addendum for Surgical Services RNs.
Our previous proposals included adding per diems in the bargaining unit and we are continuing to talk to per diems about this to ensure we are representing their interests. Please seek out and encourage your per diem colleagues to fill out the Union Showing of Interest cards.
Our next bargaining session is scheduled for Tuesday December 10.
For additional information contact Bargaining Team Members: Robin Bridge, Emily Bishop, Chris Beatty, Michelle Grimmer, or Union Representative Kimberly Starkweather (206) 436-6515.
Update Your Information >>
On Wednesday, November 13 our Auburn Medical Center RN and Case Manager RN bargaining team met with MultiCare to continue negotiations on our contracts at our fifth session with management.
After three sessions without a response to our initial proposal to welcome the Case Manager RNs into our union, we were excited to see that at our previous session management came prepared with a proposal on their placement on a wage scale & how years of nursing experience would factor into their union rates of pay.
However, management's proposal introduced some new challenges—for instance, the proposed Case Manager wage scales they presented differed from the wage scale in the main union contract; and although the wage scale for Case Managers appeared higher than that in the nursing contract, management later clarified that this is because Case Manager RN's years of clinical nursing experience are not counted one-for-one when figuring out where we would be placed on the wage scale. Additionally, MultiCare proposed a new set of premiums specific to Case Managers, such as shift differentials and a weekend premium, but at rates lower than those in the nursing contract. We ultimately felt that these differing wage rates, premiums, and experience calculations were designed to create a division between Case Managers and the rest of the RN unit. In response, we presented counterproposals in the afternoon that would align Case Manager compensation with the main nursing contract—ensuring that experience is recognized consistently, that wages are aligned more with the RN wage scale, and also rejected the proposed lower premium rates.
"Despite what we feel are efforts to divide us, we feel more united than ever before!"
—Nicole Geff; Case Manager RN
Meanwhile for the RN contract, we also began our morning reviewing the latest set of proposals from management at our previous session. We are glad that in some areas of the contract we are making progress on getting to a final agreement with the employer, however many our highest priorities remain on the bargaining table as open issues for continued negotiation:
SAFETY:
Maintaining free on-site parking, and working to secure language around transportation safety for nurses who have vehicles broken-into or damaged in the on-site garage.
STAFFING:
Updating our contract language to reflect the new hospital staffing law in Washington State, and pushing for additional compensation for nurses who care for additional patients above what the hospital staffing plan permits.
WAGES:
After receiving management's initial wage proposal at our last session—we were disappointed to see that their offer only provided a three percent (3%) increase in the first year of our 2024 contract—which doesn't even compete with the wages that nurses are earning in a number of Pierce County MultiCare hospitals.
We know that it would take more than twice that percentage—around 7.00%—to get us up to market with many other MultiCare nurses—so we hope management come to our next bargaining date on November 21 with a serious proposal that pays nurses at Auburn Medical Center for the lifesaving care we provide every day.
"Hopefully MultiCare find the rest of the budget for their next wage proposal!"
—Cory Larsen; RN
To learn more about our ongoing negotiations, and to team up with our union siblings in the Service Unit with SEIU, join your bargaining team for a UNITY BREAK:
MultiCare Auburn Medical Center Cafeteria
Wednesday, December 11
7:30AM – 8:30AM
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