On Wednesday, November 5, our union bargaining committee representing the Pharmacists at St. Joseph Medical Center met with Management for our third session of contract negotiations.
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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!
KAISER—FOLLOW THE VALUE COMPASS. BE THE BEST PLACE TO WORK
For additional information contact a Bargaining Team member or:
Aisha Womack Union Rep 206-436-6584
JJ Benson Contract Specialist 425-306-1357
Lenaya Wilhelm Union Rep Spokane 509-340-7369
If someone you know isn't getting updates: Update Your Information >>
Bargaining Team: Cesar Galloso, Jason Lindquist, Kay Halverson, JJ Benson, Krystal Krotzer, Mark Stewart
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.
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
On Friday, October 10 and Thursday, October 16 or union Bargaining Team representing the Pharmacists at St. Joseph Medical Center joined Management at the table for our first two sessions of contract negotiations.
Read MoreThe 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.
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.
We have been bargaining for five months and have several tentative agreements, mostly for non-economic contract language. We continue to argue with Kaiser about competitive wages. Kaiser seems unconcerned that wages are not aligned with other local healthcare employers. They seem only interested in the positions that are hard to fill.
The Pro Tech Optical and the National Alliance agreements both expired last week. Management has continued to push back on our proposal to align all contract expiration dates across the country. Our local Pharmacy contract expires July 31, 2026.
This is a priority for all contracts and we will continue to fight!
Nationally, Kaiser has made no substantial movement and there are a number of outstanding issues that need to be resolved.
Some other bargaining units that fall under the Alliance National Agreement have taken strike authorization votes and have notified Kaiser that they are planning to strike on or around October 13. Since the local Pharmacy contract has not expired, we cannot strike at this time but there are things we can do.
We can voice our concerns to management in solidarity with our Alliance National partners whose contracts have expired.
We can work together and push back against Kaiser's refusal to acknowledge that wages need to be sustainable and staffing needs to be safe.
We can support our local contract fight by filling out the card being circulated. If you need a card contact your steward or Contract Specialist JJ Benson 425-306-1357.
It's time to turn up the volume on our message and our collective power.
We are negotiating with management for both a new National Agreement and a Local Contract for Pharmacy workers. Our bargaining team has met multiple 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 continuing to push for equitable market adjustments for all Pharmacy workers at KPWA in addition to the national wage increases. We are trying to raise wages so that we are competitive to other employers in Washington.
We are also fighting for:
Effective staffing conditions. We have created a new staffing concern form that can be submitted to address staffing issues.
Fair mileage and paid travel time when floating.
Wage equity for Eastern Washington Pharmacy Technicians.
Parameters for internal transfers for employees changing locations.
Infusion Tech designation.
We are bargaining for both the National Agreement and our Pharmacy Contract this week and will keep you posted on our progress.
For additional information, contact a bargaining team member.
Bargaining Team: Cesar Galloso, Jason Lindquist, Kay Halverson, JJ Benson, Krystal Krotzer, Mark Stewart
I believe everyone has a voice and being on the bargaining team allows me to advocate for them and ensure their voices are heard.
In my spare time, I run a Facebook group to create and send greeting cards to people who live in assisted living facilities for every holiday and birthday. We send cards to over 800 people. Fun fact: in 2011, I auditioned for the X Factor and made it to the second round.
Certain contract language is being used against us and this should not happen. We want a fair contract and I am dedicated to making sure all staff and our department are protected from these becoming "new" precedents.
I love spending time with family — taking my son to Seattle Thunderbirds hockey games and going to outdoor concerts. Foo Fighters at the Gorge with the sunset behind and seeing Carlos Santana with my parents at the White River Amphitheatre are memories I’ll never forget.
I joined the bargaining team to ensure we get the best possible contract we can.
I'm a single mom of a beautiful daughter and for many years I worked with a nonprofit organization. I love to travel and one of my favorite places in the world is my grandparents' farm in Saskatchewan.
I am on the bargaining team to fight for better wages, better staffing, and a better working environment.
I like getting together with friends to play board games. Our current favorites are all world-building: Orleans, Viticulture, and Grand Austria Hotel. As a kid, my favorite game was Uncle Wiggily.
I care deeply about supporting my coworkers and making sure our voices are heard. I believe in standing up for fair working conditions, mutual respect, employees’ well-being and I’m committed to helping create a workplace where everyone feels valued.
I’ve been a pharmacist for 30 years, I have four children and three grandchildren…and goats, chickens, cats, and dogs. My favorite book is Les Miserables and when I’m not skydiving in Snohomish, I love tubing on rivers.
I am on the bargaining team to fight for fairness within our local contract — regardless of a member's location. I've worked at KPWA/Group Health for the past 31 years and this is my fourth time being on the bargaining team. My ultimate goal is to maintain our current benefits and ideally win at least, if not more, than what other KP regions have.
Outside of work (pun intended), I love to hunt elk and fish. Fun fact about me: I live a couple of miles from the house I grew up in.
For additional information reach out to a Bargaining Team Member.
Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants at Rosauers grocery stores in Spokane Washington ratified their new contract this past Monday, December 23, 2024. They achieved significant pay increases, added security to their pension, and increased their vacation benefits. Congratulations.
Monday, December 23, 2024 @ 7:30pm
UFCW 3000 2805 N. Market St. Spokane WA 99207
Significant pay increases
Retirement security
Krystal Krotzer is a Pharmacy Tech at Kaiser Permanente in Veradale, WA. Krystal has been at Tech for over 20 years where she began her career at Walgreens and moved on to Kaiser formerly Group Health in 2015.
Read MoreKaiser 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:
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!
On Wednesday, December 7, after multiple long days of bargaining we were able to come to a tentative agreement. Because of our unity and actions, we were able to get some great wins including:
A three-year contract with competitive wage increases that overall average 10.35% in year one for staff pharmacists
New wage scale that eliminates ghost steps
$2000 ratification bonus prorated by FTE for all pharmacists
Preceptor pay of $1.00/hour starting the first pay period 120 days after ratification
Health and safety language
And other great wins!
The vote will be in-person and members will have the opportunity to speak to Bargaining Team members before casting their ballot. Please arrive during the posted vote times as we cannot allow members to enter the vote room outside of the advertised times:
"After much input from our bargaining unit survey, we had meaningful conversations with Management that made headway on our collective concerns."
-Beau Chiba, SJMC Pharmacy
We met with St. Joseph Medical Center Management for our second bargaining session on August 24. While still early in this process, we were able to discuss improvements to language in your contract around discipline, grievances, workloads, and more. We look forward to future bargaining sessions, transitioning towards our economic discussions, and will meet next on Wednesday, August 31.
Join us via ZOOM for the Contract Action Team (CAT) meetings!
Thursday, September 1
7pm
Friday, September 2
1pm
Contact a Bargaining Team member or your Union Rep for meeting details. Details will also be emailed to you.
Kaiser Pharmacy Spokane update on new contract language & premiums
Our Negotiation Team has been working with Kaiser both locally and nationally to ensure that our contract agreements are implemented fairly and paid out accurately.
Because Kaiser’s payroll system is run nationally, we are working with the National Alliance of Health Care Unions to help ensure that all changes to payroll codes are implemented as soon as possible.
We are in discussion with Kaiser Washington to push them towards a manual fix - Kaiser’s payment codes are not yet programmed into the payroll system. Management needs to manually keep track of what you are owed to ensure members are compensated quickly and accurately! This is a work-in-progress and we will keep you updated as we push Kaiser toward a solution.
Don’t miss out on important updates! Make sure you and your coworkers’ information is correct and up-to-date!
ufcw21.org/update-your-information
For further information about our contract or to get involved, please contact our Union Representative Lenaya Wilhelm @ 509-340-7369
Our Bargaining Team has reached a tentative agreement with Kaiser on a new local collective bargaining agreement for Pharmacy 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 Access for Education with escalation of benefits
Secured Sound Retirement Pension and increased funding
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 recieve 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.
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 Spokane Pharmacy Techs
After months of bargaining, we were not able to reach final agreement locally on a wage scale and retirement for Spokane Pharmacy Techs. UFCW21 and all Unions within the Alliance of Health Care Unions are UNITED that there should be ONE wage scale for each Region at Kaiser. In Washington- this has always been true- OPEIU 8 and SEIU1199 members in Spokane are on the same wage scale as their coworkers in Western Washington. Spokane Pharmacy Techs deserve the same respect and equity- especially when so many of us have given our careers to Group Health and Kaiser. National Benefits has not yet agreed to let us maintain our current Retirement plan. Both issues have been pushed to the National Table and the Alliance, with 55,000 members, has said there is no National Deal until Spokane issues are settled.
All UFCW 21 contracts are now at the National Table- Pro Tech Optical, Pharmacy, and Spokane Pharmacy Techs- pushing together for benefit improvements to make us comparable to other Regions.
We are united for:
Improved Medical Costs like the Northwest Region
Increase Retiree Medical for years of service (WA $350/yr of service, other Regions up to $2500/yr of service)
Local Market Adjustments
Education Benefits
One Wage Scale for Region
Kaiser is pushing everywhere in the country for a Two Tiered Wage Scale and has proposed 1% Across the Board Increases. With little progress- we are moving forward with Action for September and October. We’re ready to fight for our patients and all health care workers.
TAKE ACTION TO WIN A GREAT NATIONAL AND SPOKANE CONTRACT
UNION SOLIDARITY TUESDAYS
Every Tuesday, Union members are wearing union colors until we win a fair contract. In Spokane- our stewards have made Yellow and Blue ribbons for all Techs. They will take them to all Clinics- please wear them every Tuesday in Solidarity! Take a photo wearing them together and post it on social media with the hashtag #BestJobsBestCare. Remember to tag KP @KPThrive and @UFCW21
SIGN THE PETITION
Tell KP to invest in patient care and health care workers. Sign and share the petition. Share it co-workers and friends on social media. tinyurl.com/kaiser-petition
LOCAL ACTIONS
Join the Contract Action Team meeting Wednesday, September 22 at 6:00pm via zoom! Zoom links available in the email update or contact your Rep!
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.
