North Valley Hospital - Wound Care Tech Vote Ratification!

On August 11, we are excited to announce that members unanimously ratified the addition of two new job descriptions, wage scales, and certification pay for Wound Care Tech I & II!

For questions about our contract or concerns, please reach out to Becky Latzel, Union Representative, (509) 34-7370.

"Unity is strength…when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved."

Providence Centralia Hospital RN - CONTRACT RATIFIED! Say Goodbye to Ghost Steps!

On Tuesday, August 12, following highly attended vote meetings at Providence Centralia Hospital, our RN bargaining team is proud to announce that we have overwhelmingly ratified our new union contract!

What's Next?

  • Finalizing the Contract: Our union and Providence will now work to finalize and sign the new agreement. Once complete, printed copies will be distributed throughout the hospital.

    • Access in the Meantime: Redlined versions of the full agreement—including updated contract language and new wages—will be uploaded to our union's website so everyone can review and enforce our new contract right away.

  • Wage Increases: Our new wages will go into effect on the first full payroll period following ratification (August 12!)

  • LPN Experience Audit: Now that our CBA is officially in place, look out for a notification from Providence (this will come to your work email!) that the LPN experience form is published—this will be within 45 days from yesterday (at the latest, September 26). You will have 30 days once it's published to fill it out and submit to receive 2:1 credit on the new wage scale.

If you have any questions about our new union contract, please reach out to our Union Rep Collin Greer at 360-662-1982, or contact a member of our bargaining team!

Bargaining Team: Alicia Howard, ED RN; Jeannette Wrzesinski, PCU RN; Amanda Coleman, Outpatient Surgery RN; Angela Lamb, L&D RN

Providence at Home with Compassus Tentative Agreement Reached Contract Vote Scheduled!

Providence at Home with Compassus Tentative Agreement Reached Contract Vote Scheduled!

After a first negotiation with Providence at Home with Compassus, our bargaining team worked hard and has reached a tentative agreement. On August 18, we will have a ratification vote. Please join the bargaining team at the vote and have any questions you may have answered.

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Capital Medical Center RN - Bargaining Update – August 6 Session

On August 6, we met with Capital Medical Center management to exchange proposals on retirement plans, wages, meal periods, and health insurance.

Health Insurance

Over the past few years, health insurance premiums have risen sharply—especially for part-time nurses, who can pay more than $300 a month for coverage. We believe nurses should not bear these costly increases. Our proposal ensures:

  • No premium costs for full-time and part-time nurses for "employee-only" coverage.

  • No increases in premiums for the life of the contract.

Retirement Security

We also proposed locking in contribution levels for both the 401(k) and a defined pension plan. Under the pension plan, Capital would contribute a percentage of gross wages each month to a pension trust, providing vested participants with a guaranteed monthly benefit for life. Vesting requires five years of service with a participating employer. Kaiser Permanente, St. Joseph Pharmacy Techs, and Jefferson Healthcare RNs already benefit from this program. We believe retiring with dignity is essential—and a pension plan helps retain experienced nurses and attract new ones.

Wages

The employer has not yet responded to our retirement or health care proposals but is expected to do so at our next session on September 10. This past session, management proposed a 24-step wage scale similar to the scales at CMC Techs, Auburn RNs, and Mary Bridge RNs. Our bargaining team countered with a 30-step wage scale that eliminates "ghost" steps and shortens the progression. While we do not agree with their proposed annual increases, shortening the scale offers potential benefits for nurses' wage growth.

Looking Ahead

We are closely watching our union siblings' negotiations at Providence St. Peter, and our goal is to secure a contract that keeps us competitive with St. Peter and other Multicare hospitals in the South Puget Sound region.

Stay United

Until our next bargaining session, it's critical we show our unity and determination to win a competitive contract that improves staffing. Join us to pick up union swag:

Union Swag Pickup

August 12 (Tomorrow!)
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

August 29
6:30 AM - 7:30 AM & 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

For questions, reach out to your bargaining team or Union Rep, Kimberely Starkweather at 206-436-6515.

Lourdes Counseling Center - Contract RATIFIED!

On August 8 we're excited to announce that members ratified our contract that includes historic wage increases for all job classifications! We came together to address recruitment and retention. Our bargaining team is proud of the work we've done and committed to continuing the work throughout the next three years.

What's next:

  • Finalizing the Contract: Our union and Lourdes Counseling Center will now work to finalize and sign the new Agreement. Once completed, printed copies will be distributed and available online.

  • Wage Increases: Our new wages are in effect as of August 10! (First full pay period after ratification)

Please reach out to your bargaining team or your Union Representative, Juanita Quezada (509) 340-7407, if you have any questions or concerns.

Providence St. Peter RNs Making Strides, But Challenges Remain

Providence St. Peter RNs Making Strides, But Challenges Remain

The session began with management presenting a comprehensive counter-offer covering all outstanding proposals, finally giving us a full view of where they stand. While their offer lacked meaningful movement, it did create space for productive dialogue throughout the day. 

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Kaiser Permanente Pharmacy Meet the Bargaining Team

JJ Benson, Pharmacy Tech

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.

Cesar Galloso, Infusion Pharmacy Tech

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.

Krystal Krotzer, Pharmacy Tech Spokane

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.

Jason Lindquist, Pharmacist

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. 

Kay Halverson, Pharmacist

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.

Mark Stewart, Clinical Pharmacist

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.

Make sure your contact information is up-to-date! >>

Card Kingdom Roundtables: A Win from Our Labor Management Committee (LMC)!

For weeks, our LMC members collected survey responses about how poor communication and unclear expectations lead to stress and poor morale at Card Kingdom. On June 20, our Card Kingdom LMC met with management to discuss an agenda of workplace issues we compiled from your survey responses. At the end of the meeting, our committee delivered a compilation of powerful statements with a request attached: Card Kingdom management needs to host consistent roundtables with us to discuss issues, questions, concerns, and to repair morale and respect. The committee thoughtfully presented this letter of your statements and asked to meet again to hear their response.

As a result, Card Kingdom management met our demands by agreeing to host twice weekly roundtables with union members, management, and VP representatives!

This is a win we all can celebrate! We need to continue organizing together to use our powerful worker-led union at Card Kingdom where all of our voices can be heard. Roundtables are our space to organize, communicate openly, and give feedback with actionable results.

"Card Kingdom is at its best when everyone is able to come to work and do our best to both help each other out and help meet customer commitments with the trust that we know what's expected, why, and how to get there.... We also, crucially, want to be considered part of the community around the campfire, not just fuel to be burned."

— Labor Management Committee Letter excerpt

If you have any questions about upcoming roundtable meetings, please reach out to your stewards for support or call your representative Allison Hanley at (206) 436-6586.

Do you want to become a workplace leader, get involved in our Labor Management Committee, or become a shop steward? Reach out to one of your committee members or Allison Hanley to get involved!

Your Labor Management Committee: John Proudfoot, Aaron Sargent, Natalie Roggenbuck, and August Jones

Providence Centralia Hospital RN Contract Vote Scheduled

Providence Centralia Hospital RN Contract Vote Scheduled

Our union bargaining committee, representing the registered nurses at Providence Centralia Hospital is proud to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement on our new contract! Vote meetings have been scheduled, and all PCH RNs are encouraged to attend!

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North Valley Hospital & Extended Care (Non-RNs) Tentative Agreement Reached! Contract Vote Scheduled!

Our bargaining team is recommending a YES vote on a proposed change to our contract language. The proposal includes important updates that would:

  • Increase access to certification premiums

  • Introduce two new job classifications with associated wage scales

Bargaining Team: Michelle Beattie, Tonya Smith

In-Person Vote

August 11, 2025
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Boardroom, North Valley Hospital

All relevant vote documents will be available at the vote.

Eligibility:

UFCW 3000 members in good standing are encouraged to drop in the vote meeting, ask questions, read the proposal, and cast their vote.

Not a member yet? No problem! You can:

Have Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your bargaining team or Union Representative, Becky Latzel (509) 340-7370.

Dockside Cannabis - Contract Negotiations Continue – We're Making Progress!

On July 30, we met again with Dockside Cannabis management to continue negotiations toward your first union contract.

We responded to nearly all of the company's outstanding proposals and had productive discussions at the table. The management said they need time to review our responses, and we're currently working together to schedule our next bargaining dates.

After feedback about the current health insurance, we presented the company with union health plan options that offer better benefits at equal or lower cost for both employees and the employer.

Here's an example comparing one of the union plan options to the company's current base plan (for employee only):

Plan Details Current Company Plan Union Plan Option
Deductible $3,000 individual / $9,000 family $250 individual / $500 family
Primary Care Visit $40 copay $10 copay
Specialist Visit $40 copay $25 copay


These plans would provide significantly better access to care and much lower out-of-pocket costs. We've asked the company for more information so we can present exact rates for different coverage levels.

Where We're Getting Closer

We're narrowing in on agreement in some key areas:

  • Seniority rights

  • Union Representation that includes access to worksite breakroom, bulletin boards, and clear shop steward rights

  • Discipline and Discharge like Just Cause language, which means you can't be fired or disciplined without a fair reason and a fair process

  • Grievance Procedure that includes a structured process for addressing workplace issues or contract violations


Open Session: Review Proposals & Health Plan Options Q&A

August 13
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

August 13
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Bring your questions, ideas, or just come to listen!

Questions? Contact Aaron Bailey (360) 409-0551 or Chris Arellano 360-409-0241

Lourdes Counseling Center - Tentative Agreement Reached – Your Voice Matters! Our Bargaining Team is Recommending a YES vote!

On July 30 and 31, our rank-and-file bargaining team met with management and successfully reached a tentative agreement! We voiced our concerns regarding economic issues. The employer heard us, after 12 hours on the 31st, and we're excited to share how these historically significant wage increases will improve recruitment, retention, and safe staffing!

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

— Helen Keller

Now, it's time for us to come together and make our voices heard!

What's Next:

Say goodbye to a five-year contract and hello to a better future! We're taking action to ensure a brighter future for all workers.

In-Person Vote

August 8, 2025
6:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lourdes Counseling Center, Cafeteria Room

  • All vote documents will be available at the vote

Eligibility:

  • UFCW 3000 members in good standing are encouraged to drop-in the vote meeting, ask questions, read the proposal, and cast their vote.

  • Not a member yet? No problem! You can:

Have Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to your bargaining team or Union Representative, Juanita Quezada (509) 340-7407.

Bargaining Team: Marilyn Pritchard, Shanelle Cox, Joe Goodman, and Nichole Arnzen

Have a Heart - Contract Ratified!

On July 30, following vote meetings at all five stores, we're excited to announce that members voted overwhelmingly to ratify our Have a Heart union contract! Our bargaining team fought hard to uplift and protect our members, and we're ready to keep that momentum going as we look to the future.

What's Next?

Our union and Have a Heart will work together to finalize and sign the CBA. Once completed, print copies will be handed out to every store. In the meantime, the redline version of our contract will be available online on our website. Find your contract >>

The new wage structure will go into effect immediately, and anyone whose 2025 anniversary date has already passed will begin receiving their applicable raise. Check the redline or vote summary to determine your increase.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Union Rep, a member of our bargaining team, or your steward!

Union Rep Aaron Bailey abailey@ufcw300.org or call (no text) 206-436-6631 for any questions.