Covington Medical Center Service, Technical, and RN - Bargaining Update Session #11, February 26

As we are working to move some clinic workers into the hospital contract, we have had to expand our bargaining to include people who currently fall under the clinic contract. The reason for this move is that several departments are operating under the hospital license, and it was determined they should be under the applicable hospital contract. This is beneficial to all members because we can bargain some of the more favorable terms from the clinic contract into the hospital contracts. We are working diligently to make sure that the affected clinic workers do not lose any rights or benefits by moving contracts, while strengthening the hospital contracts at the same time.

Bargaining on Thursday, February 26 felt productive. We received the Employer's response at 9:35am and worked the rest of the day to come back with responses. As mentioned previously, the clinic contract differs from the hospital contract, and we made sure to capture the terms (including premiums) that we wanted to carry over. At the end of the day, we left everything in their court and are awaiting responses on our next bargaining day: March 13.

It's good to see buttons and stickers popping up everywhere around the hospital! If you don't have yours yet, please see a Bargaining Team member or your Union Rep.

Next Contract Action Team (CAT) Meeting

Thursday, March 19: Three Options

• 6am Zoom

• 11am - 2pm in-person: Conference Room 2 (third floor of the clinic side)

• 6pm Zoom

Come visit with your Rep, Penny, and get updates on how you can support your Bargaining Team and win a fair contract!

Skagit Regional Health and Cascade Valley Hospital - Bargaining Update: Continuing the Fight for a Fair Contract

Over the last six months, your Bargaining Teams have continued working hard to secure a comprehensive contract and dignified monetary compensation for all your work and commitment. They have faced numerous hurdles, including negativity from the Employer, which has led to back-to-back meetings to expedite the process. The Employer has been unwilling to find common ground on topics that your Bargaining Teams have identified as crucial for the well-being of every worker at Skagit Regional Health. An aggressive Employer wants to take away privileges and practices that have endured for years. An Employer who is short-sighted to workers' needs and continues making decisions that affect workers' personal life stability. Your Bargaining Teams are still standing strong and even more energized to escalate this fight.
 

Last week, we presented all the research we spent almost 100 hours on collectively to the Employer, as requested. The Employer assured us that the information we presented shed light on the need to consider and review their market proposal and that he would get back to us last week. Last Thursday, when we advised that we are still waiting for their response as changes were expected, the Employer's attorney said, "That is unlikely. We will review, but our proposal is not likely to change." The Employer promised to review and respond in good faith but threw that away.

One of your Bargaining Team members expressed the following:

"After the Employer's recent email and yesterday's bargaining session, negotiations remain ongoing, and nothing is final. The Employer indicated they are unlikely to include the market research we provided. We know many of our members are struggling, and we are bargaining with that reality front and center. We remain committed to securing a contract that delivers real economic stability. Our unity is our power."

While we are ready to return to the table on the 13th, 26th, and 27th (CVH), it is time for us to show SRH our collective power. As Ashley P. (Bargaining Team and UFCW 3000 executive member) stated:

"We stand firm in our economics because fair pay isn't a request—it's what we deserve."

Let's make some noise about what we deserve.

Graydon H. (Bargaining Team member) reminds us, with his words, that we are still hungry and eager:

"A strong contract isn't rushed—it is built with time, unity, and unwavering determination."

Skagit Regional Health Bargaining Team: Marilyn Faber, Union Rep; Celia Ponce-Sanchez, Union Rep; Kendra Valdez; Cindy Tjaden; Isabel Contreras; Kalisa Dolph; Britney Myers-Fuller; Ashley Price; Briana Hovsepian; Graydon Hingey; Michael Koenig; Annalise Pasillas; Elizabeth Major; Alina Delano; Micheal Schwartz; Daniel Booker, Hospice of the Northwest; Cesar R Quiles-Borrero, Negotiator

Cascade Valley Hospital Bargaining Team: Bruce Le, Union Rep; Tia Hafner; Carl Ramirez; Calley Woodworth; Rana Rennels; Cesar R Quiles-Borrero, Negotiator

If you have questions or would like to get more involved in organizing a fair contract, please reach out to your Skagit Regional Health Union Rep, Marilyn Faber, at 1-866-210-3000, EXT. 4678 or Cascade Valley Hospital Union Rep, Bruce Le, at 1-866-210-3000, EXT. 6614.

MultiCare Capital Medical Center Professionals - Bargaining Update Session #7

February 18

Bargaining felt flat. We waited until 10:30am for the Employer to show so we could get them the proposal we'd worked on at our previous session—only to learn that their finance team wouldn't be present, so we couldn't get a response on economics from them. This has been the second time in a row that the Employer could not be there for bargaining or did not have the appropriate mix of people to give full responses to our proposals. Additionally, the Employer left mid-afternoon (which has happened before) despite us working to provide a list of topics we wanted to focus on in the next round of proposals. We had these dates scheduled far in advance and would appreciate more notice as issues arise.

That being said, we presented our counterproposals in the morning and then spent the rest of the day comparing and contrasting our proposals, the Employer's proposals, and the existing Capital Medical Center union contracts to get a thorough analysis of how to move toward mutual agreement on our contract language.

At our last session, we started rolling out strike pledge cards and by the end of the day we had the majority of members signed up.

Our next bargaining dates are March 2 and March 30.

What Workers Are Saying

"Bargaining is adults and Professionals coming to the table to work it out together."

— Roger

"We need action, we are spinning our wheels waiting for the Employer to get to work."

— Tammy

"Remember the MultiCare values, particularly, kindness, respect and collaboration. Also, do not forget about joy."

— Kimberly

MultiCare has over time made us feel like second class citizens, we are forming a union so we can be equal to everyone else!

Contract Action Team Meeting

March 5 @ 7pm and every two weeks after!

Dreamclinic - Bargaining Update—Employer Pushes Back on Basic Contract Rights

Dreamclinic
Bargaining Update—Employer Pushes Back on Basic Contract Rights

"We're not trying to take away the good things we love about our clinics or make huge changes; we are trying to create a more successful Dreamclinic for all workers and our clients!" — Erin Burgan, LMT

"The employee handbook is not enforceable—the Employer may change anything at will. We are simply asking for a transparent and fair set of guidelines for everyone." — Ross Honaker, LMT

"The Employer says they want to collaborate with us but their actions say they don't want us to have a seat at the table where our voices can be heard. So many of our proposals will cost them nothing." — Marianne Brennan, LMT

On February 20, we finally met with the Employer for our first in-person and almost full day of bargaining since January 13. We continue to negotiate in good faith, offering thoughtful proposals, but the Employer is pushing back against the most basic worker contract rights and protections including:

• NO! Wage scale or annual wage step increases in the contract

• NO! Worker legal rights in the contract

• NO! Seniority

• NO! Safety and Labor Management Committees

• Refusing to provide all requested information to inquire in the Trust benefits including health insurance

What's Next

Join us to learn what's happening at the bargaining table and review the proposals. Bring your questions and your thoughts!

Bargaining Update Meeting

Monday, March 2 at 10am
Join Zoom Meeting >>
Meeting ID: 337 759 5508

Bargaining Update Meeting

Thursday, March 5 at 4:30pm
Join Zoom Meeting >>
Meeting ID: 337 759 5508

Our Bargaining Team meets with the Employer:
March 17 and 31 for half-day sessions

Happening Now

Update your information >>

Support our bargaining process by signing the petition >>

Bargaining Team: Erin Burgan, LMT; Ross Honaker, LMT; Marianne Brennan, LMT

Please reach out to your Union Rep, Christie Harris, with any questions or concerns: (206) 436-6523.

Grand Central Bakery - Meet Your Bargaining and Contract Action Team

Our Bargaining Team, L-R: Fianna Shae (Eastlake), Amelia Gunn (Burien), Oliver Stice (Wedgwood),
Not Pictured: Amanda McClean (Wallingford) (Not Pictured)

Our Bargaining Team at Grand Central Bakery is excited to represent their fellow bakers and baristas across all four Seattle cafes.

Our first days of negotiations will take place on Monday, February 23 and Tuesday, February 24.

Oliver Stice

Pastry Lead, Wedgwood Location, 5.5 years

"I have seen the Wedgwood Cafe struggle through changes in management and high turnover for years, and I've witnessed the toll that has taken on my coworkers. I feel that I have a responsibility to ensure that our current team — and our future ones as well — can feel supported and thrive, not just survive. I'm hopeful that GCB will recognize that our proposals are tools to create a welcoming, empowering, and productive workplace. I'm looking forward to making GCB a better place, together!"

— Oliver Anderson

Fianna Shae

Barista, Eastlake, 1 year 8 months

"Over the past couple of years, we've dealt with increasingly unaccountable management, unsafe environments, and erratic scheduling. I joined the Bargaining Team to create a workplace that respects our time, pays us well for doing the work that keeps this company running, and ensures that we feel secure when we are there. I'm so proud of my coworkers for standing strong and supporting each other through the intimidation and union-busting the company has put us through for the last many months. We're going to win a great first contract for each other!"

— Fianna Shae

Amanda McClean

Shift Lead, Wallingford, 1 year

"I'm excited to advocate for fair wages for team members, leads, and assistant managers, as well as for clear, consistent communication expectations and policy enforcement. I am proud of my community of colleagues who've worked tirelessly to organize our Seattle cafes to ensure that GCB is accountable to the needs of their workers and upholds their values of equity, sustainability, excellence, and fair compensation."

— Amanda McClean

Amelia Gunn

Pastry Lead, Burien

"We as a company do so much to make our customers happy; we strive to work with local farmers and suppliers to provide the best products. This is an opportunity for Grand Central Bakery to direct some of the intention, effort, and care that we show to our customers and partners inward. I want to be involved in bargaining so that the future of Grand Central is an equitable, inclusive, and fair one, making it more than just a place to work. I'm proud of our team for having the courage to fight for a better work community, creating a company that we can be proud to work with, allowing us to give more of our energy to creating for our customer community, knowing that as we take care of them we are being taken care of as well."

— Amelia Gunn

Our Contract Action Team: Emi Glaeser (Wedgwood), Luke Younger (Eastlake)

Our CAT Team will work with the Bargaining Team throughout negotiations to keep our coworkers informed as we fight for our first union contract. If you are interested in joining the CAT team, then please reach out to your Union Rep, Allison Hanley, at (206) 436-6586.

Emi Glaeser

Culinary Lead, Wedgwood, 2.5 Years

"I am so proud of my coworkers for always standing together in solidarity throughout this whole process and am so excited to begin bargaining. I'm looking forward to bargaining for consistent and fair schedules, a competitive wage scale with raises for tenure, and better protections for employees."

— Emi Glaeser

Luke Younger

Barista, Eastlake, 3 years

"I'm looking forward to developing a culture for GCB that brings the company back to its roots of equity and sustainability. In my three years here, I have witnessed the gradual decline in our company values in service of infinite profits, which has led to a rise in burnt-out employees and unsatisfactory customer service. Without this union, I firmly believe there is no future for GCB cafés in Seattle, and that would be a shame because our employees and our loyal customers are worth more than they are being treated."

— Luke Younger

Please reach out to our Bargaining Team or Union Rep Allison Hanley at (206) 436-6586 with any questions.

Children's Therapy Center - Bargaining Update: Session #7

On February 12, we met for our seventh bargaining session with management to continue negotiations on our first contract. We received a response to our proposals from January 23 from the Employer at 10:30am and have been making steady progress.

After our discussion regarding inclement weather, the Employer came back with a proposal that addressed the majority of the concerns of the team from their previous proposal on the subject. We agreed to a 5% minimum increase in pay for those who obtain certification or licensing within the same covered discipline throughout their employment at CTC. This means if a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Developmental Specialist, Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (or other positions) obtains their licensing while working at CTC, they will receive no less than a 5% increase. We also have had ongoing conversations surrounding the caseload calculator.

We presented management last time with our market analysis of wages, so they returned with publicly listed jobs that had information about wages and paid time off at other organizations. The Employer is insisting their "Total Compensation Package" (which includes paid time off and health care insurance amongst other benefits) is the reason why their competitors might pay more or less in wages than CTC. The way we see it is our health care costs are very high, we do not feel our wages are very competitive, and we are offered less in total time off than other employers. We have pointed out to CTC that the current compensation model has not attracted candidates to fill open positions, leaving CTC with more vacancies compared to similar employers. It is difficult to reconcile how all of these components factor into the "total compensation" offered by the Employer, and we are currently analyzing the information to inform our next response.

We spent the rest of the day working on a response, however, we were unable to finalize one before the end of the day. Our next meeting with the Employer is on February 27, and we will present our proposals in the morning.

Please join us for a Contract Action Team meeting on February 24 at 7pm to discuss our next steps in securing our first Union contract!

MultiCare Capital Medical Center Professionals - Bargaining Update Session #6—February 5

Our team was informed at 7:20am that the Employer negotiator was sick. However, the Employer provided us with a proposal early in the morning that allowed us to work throughout the day. We were able to compile a response that we will be ready to present to the Employer at our next session on February 18.

In the meantime, our team is working on preparing strike pledge cards for all of us to sign! While a strike pledge card is not binding (that would require a vote of the entire bargaining unit), it is a great sign to the Employer of our seriousness. It indicates that we are ready to escalate our fight to get a fair contract. The pledge cards will be sent out shortly, and we encourage all of you to sign and show our solidarity!

As this campaign is moving along, we feel like scheduling regular Contract Action Team meetings to keep everyone informed. The cadence of these meetings will be every two weeks, and the next one is scheduled for February 19 from 7pm to 8pm. Please join us!

Bargaining Team: Amy Myrtue Nelson, Kimberly Vetter, Sela Smith, Tammy Taylor, Callie Hills (not pictured)