Tentative Agreement Reached with UFCW 21 at Providence Sacred Heart, other Tables Continue Talks

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For Immediate Release: January 8, 2020 -   9:30 AM
Contact: Tom Geiger, UFCW 21 Cell: 206-604-3421

Tentative Agreement Reached with UFCW 21 at Providence Sacred Heart, other Tables Continue Talks

After months of contract negotiations, the service and maintenance workers at Sacred Heart reached a fully recommended Tentative Agreement in the early morning hours on January 8th. This win was a result of the strong unity between UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW and WSNA.

Negotiations between UFCW 21 Pro and Tech members at Everett Medical Center have been ongoing over the night and into this morning. Additionally, UFCW 21 will go into another round of negotiations with Service and Maintenance workers at Holy Family in Spokane later today, and then our RNs from Centralia and St Peter Hospitals are gathering for returning to negotiations later today as well. Our RNs at St Mary’s in Walla Walla are planned to be in negotiations tomorrow.

Unity of Unions Leads to Tentative Agreement for WSNA – coalition continues push for Agreements at all Providence Hospitals

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For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 7, 2020

SEIU Healthcare 1199NW
UFCW 21
WSNA

Unity of Unions Leads to Tentative Agreement for WSNA – coalition continues push for Agreements at all Providence Hospitals

This morning the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) announced the reaching of a Tentative Agreement in contract negotiations with Providence at Sacred Heart in Spokane. Over 13,000 nurses and health care workers of our three unions have been in contract negotiations with Providence for months to protect patient care and safety. SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW, UFCW 21, and WSNA stand united for patient care and safety and our unity has made us strong. This was the key to reaching the Tentative Agreement at Sacred Heart with WSNA. Now we will continue our hard work and unity to ensure that every worker at Providence gets a fair contract that helps protect patient care and safety and improves the working conditions at all these Providence hospitals across Washington.

Progress in Negotiations Results in Postponement of Strike Date

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(Jan. 3, 2020)

—After ongoing discussions, the three unions representing 13,000 health care workers at 13 Providence hospitals statewide have agreed to pause plans to announce a strike. The parties have made significant progress on key issues. The parties will go back to the table to continue bargaining their respective contracts. We are committed to working through outstanding shared interests regarding patient safety, workplace violence prevention, and recruitment and retention.

For many months, and in some cases more than a year, health care workers and nurses at Providence Hospitals across Washington have been in contract negotiations. Because of ongoing challenges and a lack of progress to protect patient care and safety, these workers passed strike authorization votes in October. Negotiations in November and December did not produce adequate progress. However, over the last 24 hours joint discussions with all three unions – UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW and WSNA – and Providence have resulted in the most significant progress to date. As a result of this progress, and the commitment to hold ongoing negotiations during the coming days, the unions have agreed to pause today’s filing of the 10-day notice of a strike.

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When we stand together, we win! Thank you!

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When we stand strong and stand together, we win. Over the last twelve months we built a successful campaign for a fair contract through our actions, our stories, and our unity. Back in November of 2018, a record number of members from stores all across the region participated in the bargaining survey which provided the focus, direction, and priorities for our member bargaining team. The next twelve months would see us come together for Contract Action Team meetings, community partner gatherings, leaflets, neighborhood canvasses, and then summer informational pickets. During it all we wore our buttons, united with other UFCW members up and down the West Coast, and shared 25,000 Better Jobs–Better Communities union grocery store bags with our customers and community allies.

Because of our shared strength and purpose we ratified the strongest grocery store contract in decades, with no takeaways. We did this together; every department, every store, every community. Together, we win.

A strong new contract means new language about our rights and wages to learn, be trained on, and enforce. Sign up for safety training, Steward training, member action teams, and more.

Here’s what UFCW 21 members are saying about our new contract:
(if you’re on your phone and don’t see the quotes, turn your phone sideways)

Puget Sound Grocery Store Workers are proud of a contract that includes:

  • Strongest journey wage increases in UFCW 21’s history.

  • Full back pay to expiration .

  • A long-term solution to our pension with projected improvements.

  • Health care benefits that are projected to be fully-funded, include benefit improvements and NO increases to premiums or deductibles.

  • First scheduling overhaul in decades, giving us more control over our schedules.

  • Strong safety language for the first time ever in our contract.

  • A plan for the future of technology and workforce training.

  • Protections for our wage scales, so as minimum wage goes up, so do our wage steps.

  • NOT ONE SINGLE CUT OR TAKEAWAY!

Members have been reporting that they are receiving their retro-pay checks and journey pay increases, be sure to check your check!

Retro-pay:

  • Journey persons under contracts that expired before contract ratification are entitled for retro-pay under the newly negotiated pay scale. Check with your Steward or call your Rep if you think you were eligible but have not received retro-pay.

New minimum wage:

  • On January 1st, the state’s minimum wage goes to $13.50 an hour, and all wages by contract are at least 10¢ above minimum and each step at least 10¢ above the last step. Our union was one of the leading forces that helped pass the law that requires the minimum wage to rise as the cost of living goes up.

Look closely at pay around the holidays:

  • For work after 6 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, you should be paid time and a half.

  • All hours worked on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and other holidays is paid at time and a half. In addition, if you qualify for Holiday Pay, make sure you receive it.

If you think you have a problem, read the contract and contact your steward, or call your Rep.

Providence Mt. Carmel - Bargaining Team Recommends "Vote No and Reject Management's Offer"

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Contract Vote Cancelled

After lengthy negotiations with our union collegues throughout Washington state, Providence has agreed to withdrawal their short-term disability plan. Consequently, the plan to vote on January 7 and January 8 is cancelled until further notice.

The bargaining team is encouraged by management's changes at the table will bring a fair settlement at Mt. Carmel.

For questions, please contact your Union Representative Maureen Hatton at (509)340-7370.

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Providence United Update - December 17, 2019

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Coming Together for a Stronger Voice

On Monday 12/16, UFCW 21 members from Sacred Heart and Holy family were joined by UFCW 21 bargaining team members from Everett, Centralia, and St. Peter’s as well as leadership of UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, and WSNA. This is one example of how we are working even more closely since signing our new Unity commitment last week and pledging to work more closely for patient care and safety.

When thousands of nurses and health care workers all come together across our three unions we can improve patient care and safety. That is what we have been working to accomplish since Day 1 of bargaining. When a corporation has $11 billion in reserves, they have more than enough money to take care of patients and those of us who care for the patients every day.

Unfair Labor Practice Charges Mount

UFCW 21 has increased our Unfair Labor Practice charges against Providence as a result of intimidation, surveillance, unlawful polling, threatening lockout if employees do not pledge to cross our picket lines, and their attempt to weaken our health plan without negotiating with us. All of this is illegal and we have filed our charges with the federal government. Similar unfair labor practice charges have been filed by WSNA and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW. 

Advancing Our Efforts

UFCW 21 members at Providence held a live Telephone Town Hall last week and were able to answer questions from members on the strike planning.

Strike hotline and website to update and inform workers and patients: 

Hotline:
1-800-732-1188, ext 6550.

Website:

ProvidenceCanDoBetter.com 

Next Bargaining 

Tuesday 12/17
We go to into negotiations at St Mary’s in Walla Walla.
 



Grocery Store Bargaining Update: Final Counties Vote to Ratify Contract

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Bellingham Vote

Final Counties Vote to Ratify Contract

Just over a year ago, leaders kicked off the 2019 Grocery Store contract campaign, and today we celebrate the final counties voting to ratify this historic contract. In total, nearly 30,000 grocery store workers throughout Puget Sound have won significant wage increases and new workplace protections, including:

  • Strongest journey wage increases in UFCW 21’s history

  • Full back pay to expiration

  • A long-term solution to our pension with projected improvements

  • Health care benefits that are projected to be fully-funded, include benefit improvements and NO increases to premiums or deductibles

  • First scheduling overhaul in decades, giving us more control over our schedules

  • Strong safety language for the first time ever in our contract

  • A plan for the future of technology and workforce training

  • Won protections for our wage scales, so as minimum wage goes up, so do our wage steps.

  • NOT ONE SINGLE CUT OR TAKEAWAY!

If you have any questions about your contract, please speak with your Shop Steward or Union Rep, or use the UFCW 21 App.

Want to get involved and get training?

Sign up for safety training, Steward training, member action teams, and more.

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Grocery Store Bargaining Update

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Let’s Get to Work

Grocery store contract votes that have already taken place have ratified, but our work is just beginning. The remaining counties will be voting in early December. See below.

In the coming months, we will implement and enforce the new language in this contract, lay the foundation to protect and improve on these wins in our next contract and continue to work together every day to build power in our stores. Next steps include:

  • Fully develop our safety program, including OSHA training for our members and increasing involvement in our safety committees

  • Update our Grocery Store Workers Bill of Rights for 2020

  • Pass a statewide scheduling bill, which is required to protect our new scheduling language

  • Continue to expand and develop our workforce development center, WeTrain

  • Prepare for new technology in our workplaces and escalate our ongoing work to improve the way technology affects our working conditions

  • Get trained on our new contract so we can fully enforce it

Want to get involved and get training? Sign up for safety training, Steward training, member action teams, and more at bit.ly/stepup21

REMAINING GROCERY STORE VOTES:

The final period of grocery votes is December 8 – 12. Vote times and locations below. Drop by any time during the voting time, review the Tentative Agreement, get your questions answered, and then vote. These votes are open to all active-member UFCW 21 grocery store workers in Clallam, Jefferson, Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties at the big chains and independent stores. Active members are eligible to vote at whichever location is most convenient, during any time when polling is open. RSVP for your vote at ufcw21.org/rsvp

Sunday, December 8, 2019—Mount Vernon — 8am-12pm & 4-8pm
UFCW 21 Mount Vernon Office, Conference Room 1510 N 18th Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Sunday, December 8, 2019—Oak Harbor — 8am-12pm & 4-8pm
Best Western Plus Oak Harbor, Oak Harbor Room 33175 SR 20, Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Monday, December 9, 2019—Bellingham — 8am-12pm & 4-8pm
Quality Inn Grand Suites Bellingham, Atlantis Room 100 E Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226

Wednesday, December 11, 2019—Port Angeles — 8am-12pm & 4-8pm
Olympic Lodge, Meeting Room 140 Del Guzzi Drive, Port Angeles, WA 98362

Thursday, December 12, 2019—Port Townsend— 8am-12pm & 4-8pm
Harborside Inn, Conference Room 330 Benedict Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is my raise going to show up on my paycheck?

We are working with each of the employers’ payroll departments to make sure the raises go into effect as soon as possible—but also that it’s done correctly. Remember that if your contract is expired and you have not yet received your raise, you will still be getting back pay for journey raises, going back to the expiration date of your contract.

When will those back pay/retro checks show up?

For contracts that have already expired and will be receiving back pay, we’re working with employers to get those checks out as quickly as possible.

When do the Select-a-Schedule scheduling improvements go into effect?

This new scheduling will be implemented 120 days from ratification or contract expiration, whichever is later. As a reminder, to keep this scheduling win we will have to pass a statewide scheduling law, get ready to help in the effort to pass that law and protect our scheduling win.

When can I get a copy of our new contract?

We are still working with the employers to update all of our contracts then we can move to print and publish full copies of our new contract and will distribute them online and on paper as soon as we can.

Have more questions? Use the UFCW 21 App or contact your Shop Steward or Union Rep.

Providence Bargaining Update

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Patients Before Profits

Workers United and Prepared to Strike for Patient Care and Safety - Community Standing With Us 

Providence Health Care workers from every part of the state, representing three different unions, UFCW 21, WSNA, and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, are united and have authorized a strike to stand up for our patients and for our communities.

While members of our union are standing up and voicing our concerns, Providence’s corporate management is trying to silence our voices and sent a letter that threatens to unilaterally change health care coverage. This is one of the reasons why when we call our strike it is planned to be an Unfair Labor Practices strike.

Members in the News

Check out a recent column in The Olympian from UFCW 21 member Jacob Kostecka, RN at St. Peter Hospital where he said: “When care providers at Providence Hospitals across the state vote to strike, there must be serious problems. That simple fact is undeniable — regardless of how Providence tries to spin it…”

Some other news stories from across the state about last month’s strike authorization votes.

Sacred Heart nurses, workers voting to strike over 'unfair labor practices' - Spokane TV

Sacred Heart nurses, health care workers head to polls for strike votes - Spokane Newspaper

Providence Centralia Nurses Move Closer to Strike - Centralia Newspaper

Providence workers authorize a strike over wages, sick leave - Everett Newspaper

Elected officials, faith and social justice organizations, firefighters, educators and many others joined us for Listening Lunches in our cafeterias to hear directly what is happening in our workplaces. We then attended City Council Meetings and put elected members on notice that a strike would be a healthcare crisis for our communities.

Taking Action Together