Negotiations this week between Conifer and union members at St. Elizabeth was short. No major changes or agreements were made today. We have additional dates planned to resume negotiations.
Your Bargaining Team is still working hard to secure a fair contract that includes:
Fair Wages
Maintains PTO accruals
Fair process to request time off
We must continue to stand and act together to win on these issues that matter most!
“Significant progress was made today, however, Management is still trying to divide us on healthcare and wages.”
OUR PRO-TECH BARGAINING TEAM: Judy Shoesmith, Kain Mcleod, Connie Baker, Rob Shauger, Don Szabo, Ona Burkett, Sonja Hammes
Your Bargaining Team met with Management again on July 28 and significant progress was made towards a new contract. At this session we were able to win an improvement on annual leave accruals, received movement from the Employer on pandemic safety language, are closer to an agreement on wages, and fended off management’s attempt to create a new probationary period when moving to a new position.
However, significant issues remain before we can reach an agreement. While the Bargaining Team is agreeable to some of the proposed wage increases, Management continues to propose an unacceptable “lump-sum” bonus for some members in leu of hard wage increases. We strongly believe that ALL members deserve a fair wage increase and will continue to fight until we get an equitable economic offer from the employer that benefits everyone.
The other major issue is the employer’s new healthcare proposal that would enable management to coerce new hires to sign up for the CHI Healthcare Plan instead of our current Sound Health & Wellness plan. We are concerned about this proposal because (1) Management tried to sell the plan to the Bargaining Team by leaving out key information, which they would undoubtably do to mislead new hires and, (2) this proposal would significantly weaken our ability to keep our affordable healthcare in future negotiations.
Management understands they cannot win the healthcare fight this round so, as an alternative, they are strategically working to create weakness in our unit to be exploited in future negotiations.
We will take to the streets and unmask the employer’s behavior to a community that has always stood in solidarity with workers under attack. Please bring your friends and family to our “CHI Unmasked Banner Action,” where we will have banners and signs that ask the community to support our fight for a fair contract. This will be a joint action with our fellow members at The Doctors Clinic who are dealing with similar issues in their own contract negotiations.
The action will be held on Thursday August 6 at three roadside locations:
12:00PM – 1:30PM: HWY 305 NE & 7th Ave NE (Poulsbo)
(Near Poulsbo Central Market)
2:00PM – 3:30PM: Greaves Way & NE Waaga Way (Silverdale)
(Near “The Trails at Silverdale”)
4:00PM – 6:00PM: South End of Warren Ave Bridge (Bremerton)
(Near Lower Roto Vista Park)
Filson Management and your Union Bargaining Committee met yesterday. We made our final proposals around building a bigger stronger union at Filson, and making sure that if Filson is sold to another company our union contract remains in place. We also reviewed the areas where we have tentative agreements.
Filson responded to our proposals by letting us know that 2020 is a bad year for them, and that they are expecting to have a bottom line in the red. The Bargaining Committee understands that these are trying times, but they are trying times for everyone, and so we are requesting more information from Filson about their financial situation. After we have that information, we will be able to better respond to the issues that they have raised.
“If Filson is saying that they can’t afford our proposals, as a union we have the right to verify that, and will base our responses off of those facts.”
—Jared Othieno
TO ALL CONIFER MEMBERS:
The Union does not condone any behavior that can be construed as intimidating or threatening from either side. We expect both sides to be respectful throughout this bargaining process.
The best way to win a fair contract is to stand together by
• Attending CAT meetings
• Talking to your bargaining team members about other ways you can participate
Thank you in advance for your cooperation,
Amirah Ziada Mirziteh
Negotiator
“We met with Management and presented our first proposal. We’re encouraged to hear back from them next week, and we look forward to reaching a fair and equitable contact that benefits ourselves, our families, and our community.”
— Our Bargaining Team: Angi Swinhart—RN (Below Left), Clinic; Kristen Frazer—Registration Specialist (Below Right); Barbara Ford—ED HUC (Below Center); Jeff Redmond—ED Tech; Revell McClanahan—LPN, Clinic; Alicia Wood—RN, ED
It’s going to take all of us to win fair wages, benefits, and treatment at work. Please join our private Facebook group or follow us on Instagram!
Instagram: @ufcw21ofspmc
Private Facebook Group:
UFCW 21 - Summit Pacific Medical Center
The next bargaining session will be Friday, July 31.
The Contract Action Team will meet the following week, on August 5 at 7PM. Please join us on 8/5 to learn more and offer input!
Your Bargaining Team met again with Management on July 22. We made progress during this session as the Employer finally provided a reasonable counter to our COVID-19 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). While we are still working on the details, the Employer has shown willingness to accept our at-risk leave of absence, language regarding at-work exposure, pay for Employer mandated quarantines, and proper notification to employees when they have been exposed to COVID-19.
We also presented our initial economic proposal, which included significant wages increases. After researching wage standards in the area, it became clear that we needed an aggressive proposal to account for the extreme disparity in wages at the Doctor’s Clinic compared to market standards.
However, the Employer responded to our economic offer by proposing an outrageously insulting 1% across the board wage increase for each year of the contract. Management’s proposal would worsen the already poor market competitiveness of the clinic’s wages, cripple recruitment and retention, and fail to keep up with inflation and cost of living.
Furthermore, as Essential Workers who are risking our health & safety everyday at work, at the very least the Employer should recognize these hazards with a respectable wage increase.
The Bargaining Team finds this proposal unacceptable and we will fight for the fair contract that we deserve. We would like to invite you to our virtual Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting this Friday, July 24 at 6PM, where we will discuss next steps in our fight for a fair contract. We return to bargaining on July 29.
“We are NOT the 1%, we are Essential Workers and deserve to be treated with respect.”
— BARGAINING TEAM: Danilo Dantes, Monique Pyles, Katy Turek
The Doctor's Clinic CAT Meeting
Friday, July 24 • 6:00 PM via Zoom
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.
St. Joseph Pharmacy Contract was ratified on July 22 by an overwhelming “YES” vote! The new 3-year contract includes fair wage increases, improved grievance language, a new Variable Annuity Plan, and a Labor Management Committee to discuss and resolve issues in the workplace.
The Bargaining Team met with Conifer this week to continue negotiations. Conifer is still proposing cuts to PTO accrual, Holiday pay and their wage proposal was disrespectful to our coworkers who have dedicated their entire career to the company! We know that Conifer can and should do better!
“In order to get the contract we deserve it is critical that we ACT together in unity.”
— Josie Talavera-Berg
To learn more details and find out what we have planned, join our Online CAT Meeting Via ZOOM
Wednesday, July 29
6:00 PM
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.
Forks Community Hospital Tech-Service Contract was ratified on July 21. We were able to win significant market adjustments for a number of positions and overall COLAs over the 3 year agreement that bring us up to industry and area standards. We added new and increased premiums while maintaining our benefits.
“We achieved our goal of making improvements to our contract that make our facilities more comparable with and even competitive to surrounding hospitals and facilities.” — Our Bargaining Team
On Friday, July 17 members at Conifer St. Joseph voted on the employer’s most recent contract offer. Conifer members said:
NO to 0% Wage increases in year 1
NO to PTO accrual takeaways
NO to Holiday Pay reduction
CONIFER CAN DO BETTER!! Your Bargaining Team will continue to fight for fair wages, maintaining PTO accruals and Holiday Pay!
Join our Online CAT Meeting Via ZOOM
Wednesday, July 29
6:00 PM
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.
Your Bargaining Team met with Management again on July 15. Thanks to the overwhelming support from the Kitsap Community at last week’s action, we were able to make significant progress at the bargaining table.
During this session the Employer WITHDREW their proposal to force everyone off the Sound Health & Wellness Trust and transition to the unaffordable CHI Healthcare Plans. Under their original proposal some members would pay a premium that was five times higher, upwards of $200 every paycheck! The community made clear that such an attack on healthcare workers, particularly during a pandemic, was indefensible and would not be tolerated.
However, the fight over healthcare continues as the Employer’s new proposal would give Managament the authority to have new hires sign-up for the CHI Healthcare Plan. This proposal would significant weaken our ability to maintain our affordable healthcare in subsequent bargains.
The Employer knows they cannot win the healthcare fight now, so they are trying to establish weaknesses in our unit to be exploited in the future. Your Bargaining Team will continue to fight against these attacks and ensure we shall ALWAYS have affordable healthcare.
We return to the table on July 28 as we continue to push for equitable wage increases, a safer workplace, and fight against cuts to the Per Diem premium.
Please join our upcoming Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting to get the latest updates and learn how we can win a fair contact. These meetings will be held virtually through Zoom.
Tuesday, July 28 • zoom.us/join
8AM • 6PM
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details.
Your Bargaining Team met again with Managament on July 17 and little progress was made. While the Employer made movement on some issues, such as job postings, they categorically rejected most of our proposals.
The Doctor’s Clinic has said NO to:
Leave of absences for employees who, according to the CDC, are most at-risk for COVID-19
Hazard Pay: Employer claims that the hazards we face during the pandemic “are the nature of our work”
New Emergency Preparedness and Response Team: A committee that will ensure we are better prepared for future emergencies
Easier access to our Long-Term Illness Bank
1-to-1 credit for past experience, applied to new hires to aid with recruitment
We are disappointed by Management’s unwillingness to thoughtfully consider these proposals that were designed to create a safer working environment at The Doctor’s Clinic. We will continue to push Managament on these issues while, at the same time, working on our initial economic package.
Please join your Bargaining Team at our virtual Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting this Friday July 24 @ 6PM! We will provide the latest updates and discuss how we can win a fair contract.
We have begun bargaining our first contract!
Your Technical Unit Bargaining Committee,
Shapel Morgan (X-ray), Josh Wood (CT), Colleen Castenada (CATH Lab), and Rae Lynn Korpi (RT)
We have had two bargaining sessions with Providence. We have proposed language that establishes our general working conditions. Providence countered with their own definitions which don’t reflect what we currently have in-place. This made it very clear to your bargaining team that Providence does not take us seriously. They have shown us they are willing to take whatever steps needed to prevent us from having a strong and effective contract.
We have decided that we need to take collective action. This action will show Providence that we are NOT afraid, we are NOT weak, and we will NOT be bullied.
Our landslide vote was just the beginning. We need to continue with this momentum.
Our next bargaining session is on July 28, 2020. As we move onto crucial proposals such as wages, PTO/EIB, and retirement we need to build our strength! Your bargaining team has decided, given with the current times, to show our solidarity by wearing face masks with the UFCW 21 logo. By wearing the face mask, we will show Providence that the Techs stand united and are willing to fight for our futures!
We will be passing out the masks prior to our Stand Up to Providence Action on August 4th & 5th, 2020. We have chosen those days because we will be bargaining with Providence on August 6, 2020. This action is crucial as it will influence how Providence responds to our proposals. Please remind your co-workers of the upcoming dates and to wear their masks! We will also be asking the RNs to stand in solidarity with us and wear UFCW 21 masks. The RNs are a large and powerful group and their support will show Providence that we are not alone!
In addition, Providence is currently regrouping from the contract fight last year. UFCW 21 represented nine nursing, professional, technical, and service bargaining units and authorized a strike in coalition with SEIU and WSNA against Providence. Because of this, they were able to win a strong contract! Recently Providence Centralia’s Technical and Service units have voted for UFCW 21 to represent them and will be in negotiations at the same time as us. This is good for us and Centralia. Also, Providence Everett RN contract will expire this year and they will be bargaining at the same time as us. We will have strength in numbers, strength in the desire to prevail, and strength in timing.
Please know that your bargaining team is working for you, but we can’t do this alone. Encourage your fellow coworkers! Anyone you see wearing the UFCW 21 face mask or UFCW 21 apparel, give them a nod or wave. Spread the word by posting on both the RN and Tech FB page, thank a nurse or anyone you see supporting us because this is truly just the beginning.
Sincerely, your Technical Unit Bargaining Committee,
Shapel Morgan (X-ray), Josh Wood (CT), Colleen Castenada (CATH Lab), and Rae Lynn Korpi (RT)
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact your bargaining team or Union Rep, Erin McCoy, 206-436-6598
Your Bargaining Team met with Chera & Geo again yesterday, July 16, to receive their counter to our initial proposals. While many issues remain, we were happy with the progress made and, most importantly, the Employer’s willingness to show movement in their proposal.
We were appreciative of the fact that the Employer responded to nearly all our proposals and, for those issues they did not, we had very productive conversations on how to move forward. However, we will need to respond with some edits from their proposals and, honestly, we haven’t started with the more contentious economic issues.
The Bargaining Team did not have time to submit counter proposals and would love to hear from you about how we should respond! We’d like to invite you to our virtual Contract Action Team meeting next Tuesday, July 21 @ 5pm to discuss negotiations and next steps!
Hood Famous CAT Meeting
Tuesday, July 21
5:00 PM via Zoom
We continued to bargain with Management last week and were not able to reach a settlement. Management’s relentless pursuit to take away our sick leave hours during a pandemic is their short sighted plan to reduce costs off of our working backs. Our Bargaining Team remains adamant that taking away our sick leave is not the answer to the hospital’s financial problems. We encouraged Management to look at other cost saving ideas, i.e. better billing practices and streamlining paperwork.
“We understand Shared Sacrifice and we want the hospital to succeed but having Management balance the budget off our backs is not acceptable. Join us at our Zoom Contract Action Team meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss our next steps in getting a fair contract.”
Grays Harbor Hospital Bargaining Team
Tuesday, July 21
6:00 PM - 7:30PM
https://zoom.us/join
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.
Your bargaining committee started to bargain with Dynacare LabCorp on June 29 via Zoom, given COVID-19. We proposed non-economic contract language, surrounding floating, changing schedules, and other staffing language. Next we will propose wage increases and other economic language.
At this point, LabCorp has not responded to our proposals. We have several bargaining dates through the end of August, and we have a contract extension for 60 days from the expiration of the contract.
We hope LabCorp will respond with realistic proposals and we will need to stand unites to win a good contract! We will be having a contract action team meeting via Zoom in early August. The link will be sent out via email.
Next Bargaining Date
July 28, 2020
On Friday July 10 members at Conifer St. Elizabeth voted on the employers most recent contract offer.
100% of Members voted NO to REJECT the offer!
This outcome shows Management that their current offer is not good enough and we know that they can and should do better! We will be back at the bargaining table soon and look forward to continuing to stand together to get a Fair Contract!
CAT MEETING
Wednesday, July 15
5:30PM
Join our CAT meeting via Zoom to learn where we go from here! Details will be texted out.
We are the Union. The members of UFCW 3000 are over 50,000 members working in grocery, retail, health care, meat packing, cannabis, & other industries across Washington state, north-east Oregon, and northern Idaho. UFCW 3000 is a chartered member of UFCW International with over 1.4 million workers in North America.
To build a powerful Union that fights for economic, political and social justice in our workplaces and in our communities.
