St. Joseph Tech - Contract Vote Scheduled

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UPDATE 5/13/20

Saint Joseph’s Medical Center Technical Unit
Ratification Vote – By Mail
May 2020
Vote Document
BARGAINING TEAM IS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDING A YES VOTE!
This cycle the Union Negotiating Committee pushed to begin bargaining prior to expiration in order to come to a timely resolution.  After months of bargaining, the team received an offer they can recommend.
How to Cast Your Vote:

1. Review the offer, then mark your ballot "Yes" to accept the proposal, or "No" to reject the proposal.

2. Place your marked ballot in the Ballot Envelope. Do not put your name on the outside of the Ballot Envelope, or on the ballot itself. This ensures the secrecy of your ballot.

3. Place the Ballot Envelope inside the Return Envelope.

4. Sign the back of the Return Envelope, noting your name and work location. Your signature is how we verify each eligible voter can cast one and only one vote.

5. Note: The Ballot Envelopes will be separated from the Return Envelopes before any Ballot Envelopes are opened, so the secrecy of your ballot is preserved.

6. Ballots must be returned by Wednesday, May 27th in order to be counted.

HAVE BALLOT RETURNED TO:
UFCW Local 21 c/o David Barnes, Negotiator
5030 1st Ave South #200
Seattle, WA 98134

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We will be holding 3 different drop-in online Vote meetings on Friday, May 15 to answer any question about the tentative agreement. Details for joining will be mailed out with the vote instructions.

We will send out information soon with more details of the changes in your new contract and how the voting process works. To review a copy of the full legal document with all changes to the contract please visit the link provided in the body of the text below.

View the Document

JOIN OUR ONLINE VOTE MEETINGS:

Drop in at any of these times via Zoom on Friday, May 15:

8:30AM – 10:30AM
12:00PM – 2:00PM
4:00PM – 6:00PM 

Details for joining will be mailed out with the vote instructions.

BARGAINING TEAM: Michelle Gilmore, Sissy Allison, Vanessa Giles, Monica DeWitt, Kat Wood

PCC - Bargaining Continues

The Bargaining Committee continues to have discussions with the Employer. We are committed to fighting for a contract that ensures:

• COVID-19 pay for members who are exposed or diagnosed with COVID-19. 

• Keeping our sick leave 

• Keeping our parental leave

• Maintaining our healthcare

• Securing our pension

SIGN ON TO THE PETITION! 

Let’s tell PCC that workers deserve a safe work place! A safety petition was  launched and is circulating  to ensure PCC workers have the highest level of safety in their stores possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.

St. Joseph Tech - Tentative Agreement Reached

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UPDATE 5/13/20

Saint Joseph’s Medical Center Technical Unit
Ratification Vote – By Mail
May 2020
Vote Document
BARGAINING TEAM IS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDING A YES VOTE!
This cycle the Union Negotiating Committee pushed to begin bargaining prior to expiration in order to come to a timely resolution.  After months of bargaining, the team received an offer they can recommend.
How to Cast Your Vote:

1. Review the offer, then mark your ballot "Yes" to accept the proposal, or "No" to reject the proposal.

2. Place your marked ballot in the Ballot Envelope. Do not put your name on the outside of the Ballot Envelope, or on the ballot itself. This ensures the secrecy of your ballot.

3. Place the Ballot Envelope inside the Return Envelope.

4. Sign the back of the Return Envelope, noting your name and work location. Your signature is how we verify each eligible voter can cast one and only one vote.

5. Note: The Ballot Envelopes will be separated from the Return Envelopes before any Ballot Envelopes are opened, so the secrecy of your ballot is preserved.

6. Ballots must be returned by Wednesday, May 27th in order to be counted.

HAVE BALLOT RETURNED TO:
UFCW Local 21 c/o David Barnes, Negotiator
5030 1st Ave South #200
Seattle, WA 98134

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After several bargaining sessions, in person and via telecommunications, your Bargaining Team is pleased to announce a fully recommended tentative agreement that addresses the core issues brought forward by the membership around staffing and wages.

This agreement includes a commitment from Management to address staffing concerns from frontline workers, wage increases and no Management take-aways!

Voting will be by mail-in ballot! We will mail you the voting materials to the address we have on file. Ballots return deadline to be announced. In order to make sure your ballot makes it to the right place, please confirm your address in the body of the email below.

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Need to correct your information? Fill out this form

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We will send out information soon with more details of the changes in your new contract and how the voting process works. A copy of the full legal document with all changes to the contract will be provided.

We will be holding drop-in online Vote Meetings to answer any question about the tentative agreement. Details for joining will be mailed out with the vote instructions.

BARGAINING TEAM: Michelle Gilmore, Sissy Allison, Vanessa Giles, Monica DeWitt, Kat Wood

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative @ 800-732-1188

Macy’s workers are facing COVID-19 store shutdowns with little information and support from our employer.

Macy’s workers are facing COVID-19 store shutdowns with little information and support from our employer. But this community has our back. We’ve given years of service to this store and our communities, and it’s time for Macy’s to acknowledge that their profits came from the work that we put in.

We’re calling on Macy’s to provide paid leave for those of us whose stores are temporarily closed, help to those of us who have to file for unemployment benefits, and fair severance in case of permanent store closure.

Check out this video from Macy’s workers and allies and customers in the community, and then sign our petition for fair treatment during this crisis!

Conifer St. Elizabeth - Standing Together

After three days at the bargaining table we are happy to announce that many of our non-economic proposals have been resolved. Unfortunately, Management’s response to our economic proposal is severely lacking and we must continue to stand together to demand fair wages and a fair contract.

“We are holding fast and going strong. Management was reluctant to address our concerns, but we pushed back and overcame those challenges. We are on the last leg of this race.”

Margaret “Peggy” Laush, Bargaining Team Member

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Have you signed the petition with our demands?

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Join us at the online CAT meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 from 6:30PM - 7:30PM to hear from the St. Elizabeth bargaining team and make plans for St. Joe’s first day at the table!

RSVP at the link for the CAT meeting and we will follow-up with details on how to join.

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Next Bargaining Dates
More dates to be announced

St. Elizabeth - 5/19
St. Joseph - 5/20, 5/21

Harrison Medical Center - Bargaining Continues

PRO-TECH UPDATE

Your Bargaining Team met with Managament on April 23, 25, and 28. We are committed to fighting for a fair contract that maintains our Union healthcare and ensures our contract survives any future mergers or acquisitions.

We have also made proposals to address issues regarding scheduling time off, easier access to education and professional meetings, improved safety language, and market competitive wages that keep up with the rising cost of living. Our next bargaining date is May 5.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Rep Aimee Oien @ 360-662-1981.

“Although we met virtually, we are standing together for a fair contract.”

Harrison Medical Center Pro-Tech Bargaining Team
Judy Shoesmith, Kain Mcleod, Connie Baker, Rob Shauger, Don Szabo, Ona Burkett, Sonja Hammes

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SERVICE & DIETARY UPDATE

Your Bargaining Team met with Management on April 13, 20, and 27. We submitted our initial proposals that aim to strengthen language regarding scheduling, increased transparency of job postings, stronger safety committees, maintaining healthcare costs, and market competitive wages that keep up with the rising cost of living. Our next bargaining date is May 8.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Rep Ryan Degouveia @ 360-662-1989.

“Our first couple of bargaining dates were productive and we are looking forward to getting a contract that we can all be proud of!”

Harrison Medical Center Service & Dietary Bargaining Team
Bobby Harris, Susan Mayer, Bill A Lieseke

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Have you signed the Petition for our fight for a fair contract?

Conifer - Conifer St. Elizabeth and St. Joe’s Are United For a Fair Contract!

After months of pushing Conifer for bargaining dates for our St. Joseph members, we are happy to announce that dates have been secured! Your team at St. Elizabeth has been hard at work fighting for a fair contract that addresses our priorities and we are committed to joining together to support each other in this fight! 

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Check out our list of Demands and sign on here

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Please join us on Monday April 27th from 5:30PM - 6:30PM to hear from your Bargaining Team about what is going on at the table and how we can work together to win on the issues that matter the most to us all! 

RSVP

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Next Bargaining Dates:

St. Elizabeth- 4/29-5/1 & 5/19

St. Joseph- 5/20-5/21 & 5/27-5/29

Zenith - We’ve Waited Long Enough, #TheTimeIsNow

We have been pushing hard on Zenith to come back to the bargaining table since our last session in February. We were able to secure bargaining dates and we want to talk to you about how we can work together to ensure that Zenith meets our demands! 

We Demand:

• Training – We demand in depth and adequate training to advance and maintain our skills so we can perform our jobs confidently!

• Compensation – We demand fair, competitive compensation for the work that we do!

• Respect and Dignity – We demand a work environment where all workers are treated fairly with respect and dignity!

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Have you signed the Petition for our fight for a fair contract? 

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SAVE THE DATE
Contract Action Team Meeting on 5/11 @ 5PM

Next Bargaining Dates:
4/23, 5/5-5/7, 5/11-5/14

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Stay up to date with the most recent contract negotiations information. Update your contact info here.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Rep:
Ates Serifsoy @ (206) 436-6569

Conifer St. Elizabeth - United for a Fair Contract

Conifer St. Elizabeth members met with Management on April 1 and April 2 to continue negotiations via Video Conference to resolve on-going issues and send out our economic proposals.

“We have made forward progress on some issues but we are still very far apart on the issues that matter most to us. We are committed to standing strong during this home stretch but we need you all to stand with us now more than ever and show Conifer St. Elizabeth that we are serious and united in this fight for a fair contract!”

Margaret “Peggy” Laush, Bargaining Team Member

St. Joseph Tech Update - Bargaining Continues

Our Bargaining Team has had several bargaining sessions with Management. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the most recent was held via telecommunications.

We are working on core issues around staffing and wages. We need the employer to come to the table with a fair offer that meets the needs of our membership.

COVID-19 INFORMATION
Keep your family, workplace, and community safe. Find coronavirus updates and resources on our website.

PETITION ACTION

Check the UFCW21 website for future bargaining updates and please sign the petition demanding safe and fair working conditions!

Harrison Medical Protech - Bargaining Begins

Our Bargaining Team met with Management on March 26. We gave our first proposal, which includes stronger safety committee, promotion and new employee orientation language. Our next bargaining date is April 15. 

“Even though we met apart, we came together for a productive first day of bargaining!” 

- Harrison Protech Bargaining Team

BARGAINING TEAM: Judi Shoesmith; Kain Mcleod; Connie Baker; Rob Shauger; Don Szabo; Ona Burkett; Sonja Hammes

COVID-19 INFORMATION
Keep your family, workplace, and community safe. Find coronavirus updates and resources on our website.

UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION
Members of UFCW 21 can have their bargaining updates and other helpful information emailed to them. Help save paper and postage by keeping your address, personal phone, and email current!

KAISER UPDATE - April 3, 2020

Retro and Retiree Medical:

Newly voted wage increases for Pro-Tech and Optical units went into effect on 3/29/20 and will be on your 4/17/20 paycheck. Retro payment back to the first pay period following October 1, 2019, will be on your 6/26/20 paycheck. New Improvements to Retiree Medical are now in effect for any members who plan on retiring this year. 

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National Agreement:

The National Agreement for the Alliance of Health Care Unions is now accessible as a PDF on our website. It’s easy to access on computer or your phone! The National Agreement covers the Labor Management partnership, education benefits, retiree medical, and more. We will be receiving physical copies over the next few weeks and will work with workplace leaders to determine the best way to distribute them across worksites.

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COVID-19:

We are working with the local unions to improve PPE usage and remote work opportunities for union members at KP WA. The CDC provides recommendations for appropriate PPE and employers have the responsibility to source and stock personal protective equipment.

On March 20, 2020, KP sent out PPE/Mask Guidelines to all KP staff Make sure you are familiar with the guidelines. As more is learned about COVID-19 these guidelines may change.

In the past few weeks KP WA has created work at home options for high risk employees and now for other workers who have jobs conducive to remote work. Challenges to do with bandwidth and equipment have been addressed, which has made these opportunities available for many of our members.

Based on your concerns, temperature checks are being implemented at all worksites to screen for possible COVID-19. More information coming your way soon.

There are many COVID related safety challenges every day in every workplace. Although these are frustrating, we can work to resolve them. If there is a safety concern in your department or clinic, talk to your supervisor. If it is not resolved, contact your union steward or rep.

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Bargaining and Strong Voice at the National Level:

The Alliance of Health Care Unions is leading conversations nationally and we are engaging with local KP Washington Leadership on securing agreements regarding working in the new environment of Covid-19. We are standing together with union members across the country and pushing for standards including: 

• No layoffs, no cancellations

• Paid admin leave for employees quarantined

• Paid admin leave for employees sent home as a result of temperature checks/screenings, or grant employees additional special sick days

• Workers comp for employees’ sick with COVID, or grant employees additional special sick days 

• Hazard pay for all job classifications

• Flexibility with Attendance

• Accommodations for employees at higher risk

• Social distancing, proper PPE, and making sure workers voices are heard in safety decisions 

Management has proposed a short-term childcare grant of $250 per week for critical employees who are required to work at a KP facility. The program expires May 31, 2020. 

We will continue to keep you updated as agreements are reached for our region. You can stay up to date on UFCW 21 safety and Coronavirus updates.

Questions or to find out how you can become more involved as a workplace leader, please contact Union Representative Cathy MacPhail, 206-436-6584.
Spokane Pharmacists and Pharmacy Techs, please contact Union Representative Maureen Hatton, 509-340-7370.

Macy’s COVID-19 UPDATE

Before Macy’s announced the temporary closure of the stores due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UFCW 21 was bargaining with them over safety, extended paid leave for workers affected by the outbreak, help with scheduling and childcare due to school closures, and an on-line hiring hall for temporary work if hours were reduced or stores were closed.  In the middle of those talks Macy’s did close the stores until April 1st (which is now undoubtedly going to be for longer).  We immediately engaged Macy’s to bargain over this and to get the best deal possible for union workers.

Last Friday, March 20th, 2020 we believed we had a tentative agreement that had secured on-going partial replacement pay for full-time and part-time workers during the store closures and delivered extended paid leave to those required to self-quarantine by a doctor. 
 
Then Macy’s contacted the Union to do what they said was clarifying the agreement, but what we view as altering the agreement itself.  Mainly they said that the replacement pay would only cover two weeks and would not continue if the stores remained closed.  They also told us that if we didn’t agree to what we view as new and regressive terms, they would not even pay the 2 weeks’ partial replacement pay that they had already promised all Macy’s workers.  We believe that what they did violates the law that governs workers and unions, and that we could have chosen to take immediate legal action to enforce what we had bargained; but that fight could have taken a very long time.  Workers not getting any compensation while the stores were closed was an unacceptable burden for union members to bear, so we grudgingly agreed to their terms.
 
But this pandemic and its accompanying economic crisis isn’t over, and it is clear that we need to show Macy’s that their actions are unacceptable.  We are taking action together (as we all stay home separately) to fight the spread of the Coronavirus by signing and sharing the online petition demanding that Macy’s does the right thing and not abandon its workers during this global crisis.  Macy’s must do better, and they must bargain openly and honestly.

Please click on or copy and paste this link: http://chng.it/nHB2TkGX, into your web browser, sign the petition, and share it on your social media and with your friends and family.  It is time that we hold Macy’s accountable, and demand that they do their part to defeat COVID-19 by supporting their workers.  We will update you as soon as possible.
 
Resources and information for workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic can be found at https://www.ufcw21.org/safety-at-work.  If you have any questions or concerns that can’t be answered there, please contact your rep or call the Rep of the Day at 206-436-6578. 

Grays Harbor Hospital - Management Still Trying to Balance Their Budget on Our Backs

In the midst of a global healthcare crisis, Management is still proposing to take up to 40 hours from our sick leave. Our plan is to eliminate some of that loss by adding additional time off that could be used not only as sick leave but as vacation. 

“As we continue to work short and make sacrifices to help with the financial woes of the hospital, we call on Management to meet us with a solution that mitigates some of the losses that they have proposed and provides us with an economic acknowledgment of the time we’ve spent bargaining this contract.”

Grays Harbor Hospital Bargaining Team

Mid Valley Hospital: Our Collective Action Moves Management

PAR I and II’s Receive Retroactive Pay

After management refused to fix an equitable pay issue with PAR’s after ratification our Union Members showed Solidarity and signed a Petition demanding the Administration fix the issue.  Thanks to our Collective Action we moved management to do the right thing.  The effected PAR’s will receive a retro check the next pay period.   

“We showed management that we are a strong Union and I am proud of all us coming together to fix an important issue for our co-workers.” -Patty Spade, PAR II, Mid Valley Clinic

Swains General Store Bargaining Update

As you may have heard, our member bargaining team held its first negotiation session with the employer on March 9, 2020. The team presented management with our proposed changes to the Swain’s contract, which included an aggressive wage proposal and fixes to issues such as holiday pay and retirement. To justify the need for significant wage increases the bargaining team shared their personal stories to management. We shared stories about unaffordable housing, skyrocketing property taxes, and longtime employees being paid close to minimum wage. We all know that the employees at Swain’s General Store are the reason the company has gained the community’s respect and remained profitable against competition such as Walmart. Your bargaining team will return to the table soon and hope management listened and will respond with a counter proposal that respects the hard work and dedication of their employees.

Macy’s Downtown Closure Severance update

On February 20, we signed an agreement with Macy’s over severance for workers laid-off from the Downtown Seattle location. The agreement includes one week of pay for every full year of service with a cap at 26 weeks. Macy’s has begun sending severance paperwork to associates via mail and email that includes the full language of the agreement as well as general release language. In order to receive your severance check, you will need to sign and return this paperwork within 45 days of receiving it. We retain the ability through our union to challenge any miscalculations or issues with payment of severance.

We are also aware that there were schedule changes during the final weeks of February that resulted in a loss of hours for multiple associates. We have an active grievance to remedy the issue.

If you have any questions about the calculation or payment of your severance or vacation cash out, please contact your union representative, Regan McBride at 206-436-6579

Providence St. Joseph and Mt. Carmel Contract Vote

Tentative Agreement Reached Bargaining Team Unanimously Recommends a YES Vote

Mt. Carmel Bargaining Team: Lynette Bell, ER; Rebecca Landers, OB; Kathie Richart, CCU; Lane Thayer, CCU; Lynn Wathne, Surgical Services St. Joseph Bargaining Team: Linda Kline, RN; Maegan George, RN; Tamara Brown, RN

After many months of bargaining we have reached a tentative agreement that includes the following highlights: Wage Increases Each Year Shift Differential Improvements Improvement to Grievance Language Additional Time Off “We look forward to showing everyone the improvement we won in our contract. See you at the Vote meetings” Members in good standing are encouraged to vote.

Ratification Vote

Mt. Carmel Hospital
March 11, 2020 4pm – 8:30pm / St. Catherine Hall
March 12, 2020 10am-2pm / St. Catherine Hall

Providence St. Joseph
March 12, 2020 4:30pm-8:30pm / DEC D across the street from Hospital

Cascade Valley Hospital - Proposal Vote Scheduled

We will be going back to the bargaining table in early March! All members are encouraged to come and have your voice heard on your top priorities at the bargaining table.

Vote Times
Cascade Valley Hospital
330 S Stillaguamish Ave, Arlington, WA 98223

2/25
3pm to 8pm
Baker Room

2/26
6am to 11am
Whitehorse Training Room

Macy’s - Downtown Closure Bargaining Update 2/14/20

Today we met with the employer with our bargaining director in attendance. Macy’s has not moved from their original proposal and has given us their last, best, and final proposal that is less than the Northgate and Everett agreements:

• Cap on severance at 26 weeks—Northgate/Everett severance was capped at 52 weeks

• Macy’s is only willing to cover the employer portion of COBRA for 3 months—Macy’s paid 100% of COBRA for 3 months at Northgate/Everett

We’re meeting with our legal team to explore all options to secure a fair severance for the Downtown Macy’s workers.

If you have questions, please contact your union representative, Regan McBride, at 206-436-6579

In Solidarity, your Member Bargaining Team, Susan Hedman, Patrick Keating