Whidbey Health Pro Tech LPN - Bargaining Update

We are fighting to keep Whidbey Health and our community sustainable. Management does not seem to fully grasp what other hospitals and clinics are paying. This is really challenging, but we keep pushing back and fighting for what is right.

Our Bargaining Team has done extensive research, and Whidbey Health has several open bargaining unit positions, particularly for MAs. We have carefully looked at recently ratified contracts, including Skagit, and see the wage differences.

On Thursday, August 27, Bargaining Team Members attended the Board of Commissioners meeting, both in person and virtually. Cassie Anderson, Pharmacist and Bargaining Team Member, reported on our bargaining status and noted that 17.6% of positions in this bargaining unit are unfilled, putting patient care at risk. She talked about the cost-of-living increases relative to wages and the difficulty filling evening, night, and weekend shifts, as well as the importance of growth and expansion in our community. Cassie concluded by addressing the need to stay competitive with other local hospitals and clinics.

Our goal is to retain and recruit workers.

We will continue to push back and tell management what is important to us.

To find out more, come to our virtual Contract Action Team meeting:

Virtual Contract Action Team Meeting

“I came in hopeful for a fair agreement, but this offer undervalues our work. We’re going to keep pushing back until we get the respect we deserve.”

— Caitlyn Korkoskie

“I went into this negotiation session feeling like we were getting close to an agreement. I came out feeling very frustrated, undervalued, and unheard.”

— Jennifer MacNeill

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Bargaining Team: Cassie Anderson, Jennifer MacNeill, Caitlyn Korkoskie.





Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Vascular Sonographers - Tentative Agreement Reached on a First Contract

On Thursday, we agreed to the terms for your first Collective Bargaining Agreement. Your committee fought a persistent Employer, and we were able to put together a contract that will include some of the following:

  • Structural Wage Increases

  • Scheduling Language

  • Preservation of current benefits

  • Premiums

  • Non-economic items that will provide additional protections

  • And more.

Contract Ratification Vote Scheduled!

Thursday, September 10

Federal Way (Room TBD)
9am to 10am
33501 1st Way S
Federal Way, WA 98003

Tacoma (Room TBD)
10:30am to 1:30pm
1717 S J St
Tacoma, WA 98405

If you have any questions, you can reach out to any Bargaining Committee members or your Union Rep at 1-866-210-3000, ext. 6518.

Bargaining Team: Karla Boxum, Michael Desmarteau, and Scot Johnson.

Union Rep: Charlie King

Negotiator: Cesar R Quiles-Borrero

St. Joseph Medical Center Tech Unit - Bargaining Update

August 27, 2026

We are fed up.

August 27 marked our ninth bargaining session with St. Joe’s management; however, calling it a “bargaining day” might be stretching that definition.

During our first meeting in the morning, the Employer returned two new tentative agreements from the package proposals our team gave them at our previous session: a rephrasing of the “Recognition for Past Experience” article, and another pertaining to the PTO request and approval process, which has been confusingly misapplied in just one department.

Outside of these sections, the Employer let us know that all other articles remained unchanged from their previous package proposal. Wages, premiums, takeaways to a few health insurance provisions, and language regarding travelers and agency staff—all held; and despite all evidence to the opposite, they followed this up by verbalizing that they were still open to working together on solutions to many of the other issues we’ve raised.

We told the Employer point-blank that while the sentiment is nice, they have not shown up as an equal partner in working collaboratively and creatively on resolving issues.

Our Bargaining Team cannot stress enough that nothing will change unless we all stand together and take action.

Sign the strike pledge card NOW, and join our next Contract Action Team meeting to discuss strategies with our Bargaining Team and Union Rep on how we can apply the necessary pressure to win a strong contract for SJMC Techs:

Sign the Strike Pledge

Workers throughout the hospital have already signed the strike pledge card. If you haven’t yet, you can by following the link below:

Sign the Strike Pledge >>

Contract Action Team Meeting

Thursday, September 3
5:30pm–6:30pm
Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting >>

Meeting ID: 814 5444 0042
Passcode: 761579

Bargaining Team: Michelle Gilmore, Respiratory Therapist; Monica Dewitt, Pharmacy Tech; Sissy Allison, Surgical Technologist; Chad Michels, Cardiovascular Technologist; Leslie Ball, Surgical Technologist; Vanessa Giles, Surgical Technologist.

Macy’s — Fully Recommended Tentative Agreement Reached!

Bargaining Team: Emily Hunter, Alderwood; Daniel Landon, Alderwood; Preston Mcinnis, Southcenter; Curtisy Bryant, Southcenter; Samantha Wilson, Bellingham.

After six months of negotiations, CAT meetings, leaflets, and educating our customers and coworkers at our informational picket, our member-led Bargaining Team is excited to announce that we have reached a fully recommended tentative agreement with Macy’s management. Our Bargaining Team unanimously recommends a yes vote to ratify.

  • Won! Higher increases to the GWI than last contract.

  • Won! Retro pay to June 1, 2026.

  • Won! Ratification bonus.

  • Won! Contract language ensuring workers’ rights to representation during disciplinary meetings.

  • Defended against the Employer’s proposal to have key days assigned to Flex Colleagues.

  • Defended against the Employer’s proposal that would give it sole and exclusive discretion to change or eliminate our health care.

  • Defended against the Employer’s attempt to extend the period of time a worker stays on a Final Warning.

  • And more...

“Macy’s has agreed to a bigger wage increase than our last contract, going out to even more of our coworkers. Showing up for your coworkers and making it clear to Macy’s that we are engaged pays off!”

— Daniel Landon, Alderwood

This is a tentative agreement and is not final until you vote to accept it. Details will come shortly regarding the ratification votes for the fully recommended agreement. We are working to get the voting documents ready for your review as quickly as possible. Members will have the opportunity to review the agreement and get any questions answered before voting.

Ferry County - Bargaining Begins: Making Progress at the Table

On August 21, our Bargaining Team met with the Employer to kick off our bargaining process. We are encouraged by the progress we made at the bargaining table and feel that the Employer is hearing and sharing our concerns.

We reached several tentative agreements and left the Employer with both our non-economic and economic proposals. We are hopeful that the Employer will provide a full response by our next bargaining session on September 2.

“Negotiations foster collaboration and cooperation between employers and workers, leading to a more harmonious and productive working environment.”

— Bargaining Team

Sticker Up Event - Tues, Sept 1

Please join our Bargaining Team for a Sticker Up event! Reach out to a Bargaining Team member to get your sticker or to assist with handing them out.

Next Bargaining Session - Wed, Sept 2

Our Bargaining Team will meet with the Employer for our next bargaining session. We will keep members informed as negotiations continue.

How You Can Help

Keep Your Information Up to Date: Update Your Information >>

Join Your Union: UFCW Join Application >>

Want to Become a Union Leader? Consider attending an upcoming online training:

Questions or Concerns?

If you have questions or concerns about the contract or bargaining process, please reach out to a member of the Bargaining Team or Becky Latzel, Union Rep, at (866) 210-3000.

Bargaining Team: Rebecca Thompson, UC and CNA; Michael Hughes, Cook; Chris Torres, Lab Tech Non-Certified.

St. Michael Medical Center Professional-Technical-Clinical Support - Long Day—Disappointing Ending

Tuesday, August 25

We came into bargaining on Tuesday, August 25, hopeful that we could make real progress toward a deal. The Employer had indicated that it was ready to get serious and work toward an agreement. Unfortunately, by the end of the day, we were disappointed by how little movement we saw on the issues that matter most to us.

Because we are currently in FMCS mediation, the discussions at the table are confidential since neither side passed a formal proposal. Instead, we exchanged “supposals”—nonbinding, hypothetical ideas used to test possible paths toward an agreement. Because of the confidentiality rules of mediation, we cannot share the specific details of those discussions.

What we can say is that the Employer’s wage position continues to fall short of what is needed. We did not see the movement we were hoping for on wages, premium pay, and important concerns around safety in the Family Birth Center. We entered the day expecting the Employer’s actions at the table to reflect its stated desire to reach a deal. Unfortunately, we ended the day still waiting to see that level of movement.

Our Bargaining Team continued working throughout the day, reviewing wage proposals classification by classification and reassessing our priorities to make sure we remain focused on the improvements that matter most to us.

We were also grateful to have one of our Union siblings from the St. Joseph Medical Center technical Bargaining Team join us at the table, share perspective from their own negotiations, and show management that we are united in our fight for a fair contract.

We started the day hopeful that we could make significant progress. We ended it disappointed, but still committed to doing everything we can to win the fair contract we deserve.

Sign the Strike Pledge Card Today! >>

We meet with management again next week on September 3, which we anticipate will be an important bargaining session as we work to determine whether the Employer is prepared to make the movement necessary to reach a fair agreement.

“Started with high hopes, ended totally disappointed.”

— Merry Brandt-MacFann, CT Technologist

Bargaining Team: Robel Haile, Clinical Pharmacist; Bryson Andrews, ED Tech; Olivia Almeida, Respiratory Therapist; Merry Brandt-MacFann, CT Technologist; Lara Williams-Graham, Certified Surgical Technologist; Angela Roberson, EP Technologist; Rob Shauger, CNA.

BDA, Inc. (Retail Workers at Climate Pledge Arena) - Meet Your Bargaining Team!

BDA, Inc. (Retail Workers at Climate Pledge Arena)
Meet Your Bargaining Team!

Bargaining Team: Thomas Tumbokon, Alejandra Garcia Martinez (not pictured), Kota Owens.

We are excited to represent our coworkers at Climate Pledge Arena as we negotiate a fair contract for us all. The Bargaining Team is made up of workplace leaders who have been selected to represent you during negotiations with BDA. The team is responsible for creating and responding to proposals, planning campaigns, and ultimately deciding when to recommend a contract or authorize escalating workplace actions.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to represent my coworkers at the table in our effort to make the contract better.”

— Thomas Tumbokon

“We deserve a say in our pay. We deserve more collective fruits from the labor we produce, and when we stand up together, we’ll build a better workplace for each other. Power to us workers!”

— Kota Owens

We will be holding member meetings virtually starting September 9. All members are welcome to get the latest updates and information about your contract and rights as Union workers.

We plan on meeting with the Employer soon and look forward to your input and participation. Please reach out to one of your Bargaining Team members or your Union Rep, Aaron Bailey, at 206-436-6631 if you have any questions about contract negotiations.

Get Involved!

Join our member meetings and stay informed about negotiations.

September 9, 2026
6pm
Virtual

Join Zoom Meeting >>

Haven’t filled out your Union Membership Application yet? Complete your online application below.

Complete Your Union Membership Application >>

We plan on meeting with the Employer soon and look forward to your input and participation. Please reach out to one of your Bargaining Team members or your Union Rep if you have any questions about contract negotiations.

Any questions? Call your Union Rep, Aaron Bailey, at 206-436-6631.

Cognition Escape Rooms - Pre-Bargaining Meeting Update

Bargaining Team: Ryan Sharbrough, Allyndreth Smyth, Makenna Page

The purpose of the introductory pre-bargaining meeting was to establish rapport, discuss the bargaining process and logistics, and schedule initial bargaining sessions.

The pre-bargaining introductory meeting was held between the Cognition Escape Rooms ownership and the Union bargaining unit. The parties introduced themselves, discussed bargaining expectations, reviewed the collective bargaining process, and outlined how proposals would be exchanged and negotiated.

The Union explained that negotiations would begin with non-economic proposals before moving to economic issues, such as wages and benefits. Both parties expressed a desire to maintain a respectful and productive working relationship and agreed that bargaining sessions would be conducted virtually.

Bargaining Process Overview

  • The initial focus will be on non-economic proposals, including recognition, Union security, definitions, and working conditions.

  • Economic items, including wages, increases, benefits, and other cost-related issues, will be addressed later, once substantial progress has been made on other non-economic language.

  • Proposals will be presented by section or article rather than as an entire contract at once.

  • The first contract is expected to be approximately 35 to 45 pages or more, with only portions reviewed during each bargaining session.

  • A federal mediator may be brought in, if needed, to help the Employer and Union resolve contract disputes, prevent work stoppages, and navigate collective bargaining negotiations. A mediator is typically brought in once negotiations are close to an overall tentative agreement.

Upcoming Bargaining Dates!

Subsequent bargaining sessions were scheduled for:

  • Wed, Sept 23 @ 3pm - 5pm

  • Fri, Sept 25 @ 12pm - 2pm

Confluence Professionals - Economics Incoming

Friday 14, we concluded our third bargaining session with management. Although we gave all our noneconomic proposals, management failed to give us a single reply at this session. Our focus in this session was largely on preparing our economic proposals.

Our goal is to ensure a benefits package that protects what everyone is already receiving while bridging the gap and inequities between different departments. Our team is working to ensure that we are building a contract that will improve the conditions of all departments! In order to achieve this, we need your input and your support.

Bargaining Team: Trevor Schultz, Trisha Self, Jessica Schell, Theresa Randolph and Clari Ramos.

Join Our First Contract Action Team Meeting!

Wednesday 26
6pm
330 S King St

This meeting is a great opportunity to get involved in your contract negotiations, where you can hear what is happening at the table and what you can do to help. A good contract isn’t won at the table—it is won in the field!

Puzzle Break and Cognition Escape Rooms - Building Our First Contract Together

Thank you to everyone who completed the bargaining survey and shared workplace concerns. Your feedback is helping identify the priorities that matter most as we prepare for negotiations.

Where Bargaining Stands

The bargaining process is moving forward. Initial requests to bargain were sent to both Employers on July 12, 2026, with a 14-day response timeline. Both Employers followed up recently, on August 6, 2026.

Bargaining has not started yet. However, Puzzle Break’s Employer has already committed an unfair labor practice (ULP) by shortening the shifts of workers who spoke out about workplace injustices.

Priorities Raised by Members

Your solidarity with one another and participation in the survey have brought forward several key concerns to address at the bargaining table, including:

  • Scheduling

  • Missed breaks

  • Low staffing

  • The threat of AI reducing job security

What Happens Next

You have chosen your Bargaining Team. Next, team members will be trained and briefed on the issues you raised so they can prepare for proposal exchange and negotiations.

Please continue sharing your concerns and workplace issues as the process moves forward. Bargaining updates will be shared periodically to keep the membership informed about what is happening at the table.

Also, watch for opportunities to participate in campaign actions. Information about any actions will be shared in advance.

Bargaining Team Nominees

The following members have been nominated to serve on the Bargaining Team: Ryan Sharbrough, Mason Walsh, Allyndreth Smyth, Dane Hendricks, Makenna Page, and Riley Murphy.

Stay Involved

Your voice matters. Continue sharing workplace concerns, ideas, and priorities with your Union Reps and Bargaining Team members. Together, we can build a strong contract that reflects the needs and priorities of all Puzzle Break and Cognition Escape Rooms workers.

MultiCare Allenmore - A Common Vision

We all want health care workers and patients to have the best possible support. Better recruitment and retention of quality staff, and improved experiences for caregivers and patients, are good for everyone. Allenmore members, joining with thousands of other UFCW 3000 members across MultiCare, can achieve this vision if we come together and stand united around what we agree is needed to improve our workplaces.

Two Steps Toward Progress

Two necessary steps for us to advance our contracts across the MultiCare system are growing our numbers and standing together. Even though bargaining does not begin at Allenmore until next year, the effort to move forward on these two paths is already underway.

Organizing More Workers Into Our Union

  • Newly organized members at Capital Medical Center ratified a first contract, and their contract expiration date aligns with the Tech contract.

  • Newly organized members at Women’s Clinic are accreting into the current Clinic Contract, and we are bargaining with MultiCare about how these workers will be placed on the wage scale.

  • Newly organized workers at Mary Bridge Therapies will begin bargaining for a first contract soon.

If you know of workers at MultiCare who are not yet Union members but are interested in joining UFCW 3000, please contact a UFCW 3000 Union Organizer by calling or texting 206-414-9601.

Building Unity Across All Locations and Contracts

We are in the midst of conducting a MultiCare-wide pre-bargaining survey to identify members’ concerns and hopes for the next round of bargaining in 2027. If you have not yet filled out your survey, now is the time. Your opinions matter.

Complete the survey >>

Solidarity Sticker Up on Tuesday, August 18!

MultiCare is not treating all the members at Women’s Clinic with respect. Disrespecting one is disrespecting all—that is part of what being in a Union is all about. Women’s Clinic workers held a successful sticker action in early August and need broader support.

We are holding a Solidarity Sticker Up at Allenmore on Tuesday, August 18, to show our support for the Women’s Clinic members. Stickers will be distributed that day by workplace leaders and Union Rep Ondrea Shallbetter.

MultiCare Tacoma Women’s Clinic and Urogynecology - Bargaining Update—Taking Action Together to Reject Wage Cuts

Our sticker action was a huge success on August 5!

We will make sure everyone has stickers for the next round on August 19.

In bargaining, management continues to take an anti-union position by proposing to cut the wages of some workers who were hired above scale as we bargain to accrete workers into the MultiCare Clinic contract. Their proposal to place workers on the wage scale based on years of experience is generally good, but we have made it clear that this would result in cuts for some workers, and we are pushing back.


Next Contract Action Meeting

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

6pm

Join Zoom Meeting >>

If you have questions or would like to get more involved, please contact Union Rep Ondrea Shallbetter at (206) 436-6525.

“Equality opens the door, equity makes sure everyone can walk through it.”

— Timeka Gist

Bargaining Team: Violet Barkley, Kristina Matushevskaya, Timeka Gist.


The Doctors Clinic - The Contract Is Ratified!

On August 10, members of The Doctors Clinic came together to review and vote on our new contract. We are excited to share that the contract vote resulted in an overwhelming yes vote and that the contract is now ratified!

Now comes the important work of getting the contract reviewed and signed, as well as enforcing our new collective bargaining agreement. While the fight for a fair contract is over for this cycle, we must now pick up the work of building power in our worksites so that we can continue to improve what happens day to day. This means holding management accountable, training more Stewards, and always looking ahead to the issues we continue to face and how we can resolve them.

What’s Next?

  • Wage increases and retro pay should be reflected in paychecks beginning with the first full pay period after ratification.

  • We will finalize the contract and get it ready for print.

  • We will schedule labor-management meetings with the Employer to make sure that issues are addressed as they come up.

If you are interested in getting involved, reach out to our Union Rep, Ryan DeGouveia, and let him know that you would like to learn how you can get more involved.