Grievance filed over KP pay issues — what you can do to support

We wanted to update all KP members about the problems many people are experiencing with their paychecks and KP’s recent demands for repayment of incorrect pay amounts.

Here’s what we’re doing right now: 

• We have sent a cease & desist letter to KP ordering them to immediately cease demanding any repayment of past wages they believe are incorrect, unless and until they offer all necessary information and can accurately document and verify the basis for their demands.

• We have filed a grievance over this issue and an extensive information request, including a request for a full audit to determine if members were under- or overpaid, a clear explanation of their basis for demanding repayments, and copies of all of their communication with staff over this issue.

• The National Alliance is involved in investigating and addressing this matter with KP at the national level.

• UFCW 21 is fully investigating this matter here in Washington with our Union Rep, UFCW 21 bargainer, and UFCW 21 legal team, and assessing our contractual and legal options to make sure everyone is protected from pay errors and any overreach on the part of KP.

Here’s what you can do right now to exercise your rights and support this grievance and each other: 

1. File a Workers’ Rights Complaint with the Washington State Dept. of Labor and Industries

1. Submit your experiences with any pay issues, including any documentation you have, to UFCW 21

We all deserve to be paid for our work, paid accurately and on time, and for any discrepancies to be well-documented and explained. This is unacceptable behavior from KP and we will be working together to make it right and hold them accountable if they continue to mistreat KP workers. 

Multicare Update - April 2, 2021

“Management shows how much they value our work. 1% won’t pay the rent!”

Your Bargaining Team: Alexis Dotts, Glen Steele, Gregg Barney, Heidi Strub, Jamie Fenton, Julianna Van Enk, Kelly Gusman, Kurtis Chaffin, Patricia Brown, Ryan Boyd, Sammy Bainivalu, Teri Kruse, Wanda Rodriguez-Ramos, Yvette Broeckel

Your Bargaining Team met with Management again on March 30 and finally received their economic counteroffer.

MultiCare’s counteroffer is downright insulting and fails to recognize both our current staffing crisis and the sacrifices healthcare workers have made throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Their proposed wage increases would not go into effect until after contract ratification while the Union’s proposal would retroactively apply when the contract was originally scheduled to expire. Management also made clear that they have no interest in paying hazard pay either, outright rejecting our proposal.

We are also frustrated by MultiCare’s continued to push for the removal of President’s Day as a paid holiday in our contracts. You may have received a message from Management labeling their proposed change as a way to build “greater inclusivity and belonging within our organization”, make no mistake—this is a cost cutting measure. 

Management just does not want to pay its employee’s holiday pay on President’s Day and likely plans to open facilities that are commonly closed on the holiday. Your Bargaining Team is fiercely committed to defending our paid holidays, if we lose President’s day then what is next?

Your Bargaining Team will meet again with Management to continue negotiations on April 6, 13, 20 and 27.

You’re invited! Please join our next Contract Action Team meeting on Wednesday, April 7 at 7:30AM or 6:30PM. Hear the latest updates and have your questions answered directly from your Bargaining Team. 

Wednesday, April 7
7:30AM or 6:30PM

Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.

Safeway Meat Warehouse - Some Early Progress in Bargaining

On Tuesday your Union bargaining committee met with Albertsons/Safeway management for the first time to bargain the new Union contract. We made early progress with getting tentative agreements to:

Add new language limiting the amount of time that the Employer has to discipline members (10 working days)

Changing Funeral Leave to Bereavement Leave, which allows people to mourn without having to go to the funeral. This is important when family members live far away, or there isn’t formal funeral services.

But we still have big issues, in fact the big issues, ahead of us. We need to stand together as we bargain over our wages, healthcare, and retirement program. 

“We made some early progress. But make no mistake, we all need to focus on the total economic package, especially our wages!” 

– Jimbo 

Make sure you and your coworkers stay updated, especially if we need to take action! Follow the link below to update any contact information to make sure you stay informed and ready.

Cascade Specialty Pharmacy - CONTRACT RATIFIED!

On Wednesday, March 31, union members at Cascade Specialty Pharmacy voted to ratify their new three-year contract! Our new contract includes a revamped wage scale and new 401k retirement plan with a 100% employer matching contribution of up to 6% of your total compensation.

The contract requires management to have the 401k plan set-up and ready to go no later than August 1, 2021. We highly encourage all members to participate in the new retirement plan when available.

Participation in the plan will not only ensure that you are maximizing your benefits package but will also be a huge investment in your future. Save for retirement today and thank yourself tomorrow!

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

PCC Update - PCC Misses the Mark on Economics

Yesterday our Bargaining Team received a response from PCC on wages and other economics. We believe PCC’s wage proposals are inadequate, not reflective of our work and unacceptable. 

“Though we are honored to serve as your Bargaining Team, this contract fight belongs to us ALL. Management does not appreciate what it’s like to work in the stores day in and day out. They do not understand that our struggle is about providing for ourselves, our families, and our community. That’s why we’re bringing our demands to the stores on April 14 - We hope you will add your voice.” 

– PCC Bargaining Team 

Atsuko Koseki, Edmonds Deli; Greg Brooks, Fremont Meat; Keith Allery, Greenlake Village Deli;
Quinn Ráo, Ballard Front End; Scott Shiflett, Redmond Meat; Yasab Pfister, Burien Front End

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Let PCC know we deserve better! Join us at an informational picket on April 14:

Kroger Bargaining Update

Yesterday the Bargaining Teams for UFCW 21 and Teamsters 38 met with Kroger to bargain over our working conditions and hazard pay throughout the pandemic.

We were able to agree to an extension of our original COVID LOU that included benefits like quarantine pay through the end of April. The extension includes new improvements of notification to our union of COVID cases with 24 hours and to members within 8 hours when possible, increases to mask and face shield availability, and increased training for workers assigned to work as a vaccine “observer”. Kroger committed to meeting again in late April.

“Today was an important first step but we know there is still a lot of work to do to win better pay for Essential Workers.” 
-Kroger Bargaining Team 

We are happy to win improvements to our current agreement but are still committed to fighting for:

• Reinstatement of $2 per hour Hazard Pay.

• Stronger enforcement of safety measures, including enforcement of masks and store capacity limits.

• Moving Clicklist and Fred Meyer Pharmacy Techs to the higher Grocery A scale.

• Adding hours to the store to address increased need for sanitation and to enforce social distancing.

• Extending the premium pay of an extra $1 per hour for Pharmacy workers beyond April 8.

Join the fight to demand that Kroger, Fred Meyer and QFC put our safety & communities before profits.

Sign the Strike pledge card today>>

OUR KROGER GROCERY STORE BARGAINING TEAM

Maggie Breshears, Greenwood Fred Meyer
Sam Dancy, Westwood Village QFC
Amy Dayley Angell, Ballard QFC
Irene Garcia, Auburn Fred Meyer
Christina Harris, Lake City Fred Meyer
Wil Peterson, Everett Fred Meyer
Jeff Smith, Snohomish Fred Meyer
Joanna Clapham, Benson Plaza Fred Meyer
Faye Guenther, President UFCW 21
Joe Mizrahi, Secretary Treasurer UFCW 21
Samantha Kantak, President Teamsters 38
Steven Chandler, Secretary Treasurer Teamsters 38
Tammi Bradey, Recording Secretary Teamsters 38
Jim McGuinness, Attorney

Summit Pacific Medical Center - Progress with Meditation but Major Issues Still on the Table

We had another productive mediation session on Wednesday where we were able to narrow down our economic package. However, management still has some proposals on the table that we don’t agree with:

» Denying longevity increase if you have received discipline in the last year

» Limiting the cases we can take to arbitration to only terminations

» Overreaching management rights clause

These topics are critical to a fair union contract. We are working to schedule our next mediation session to hear a response from management.

YOUR BARGAINING TEAM: Angi Swinhart, Barbara Ford, Jessee Bednarik, Michael Granstrom

PCC - PCC Still Silent on Economics

On Monday, we made progress in getting PCC to back off some of their bad proposals around our grievance procedure. We’re still waiting for PCC to respond to our proposals for wage and premium increases. Instead of an economic response, PCC proposed making us take home our own aprons to wash. 

“We want to bring home the bacon, not our dirty apron.” 

– PCC Bargaining Team 

Your PCC Bargaining Team:

Atsuko Koseki, Edmonds Deli;
Greg Brooks, Fremont Meat;
Keith Allery, Greenlake Village Deli;
Quinn Ráo, Ballard Front End;
Scott Shiflett, Redmond Meat;
Yasab Pfister, Burien Front End

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• Share your story on what increasing the staff discount means for you:

• RSVP to an info picket:

• Join us for a PCC only telephone town hall on March 30 @ 6:30 PM to hear the latest bargaining update:

Tuesday, March 30
6:30 PM
Call: 888-231-5462
Meeting ID: 5821

• Wear your button to support Donna and Laurae for the PCC Board of Trustees! Elections start April 8. 

Need a button? Contact your shop steward!

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Our next bargaining date is March 30.

Providence - Moving Towards an Info Picket!

On March 16 we met with Providence Centralia Hospital (PCH) and on March 19 we met with Providence St. Peter’s Hospital (PSPH) to continue bargaining for a first contract. Throughout the bargaining process, both bargaining committees have been making proposals that are very similar to one another. Both PCH and PSPH are facing the same workplace issues and are dealing with the same kind of pushback at the bargaining table. This is the reason why PSPH and PCH workers must stand UNITED! 

At the PCH table, we were able to obtain one tentative agreement on the “Labor Management Committee” article. The labor-management committee provides a space for workers and management to come together and try to solve workplace issues like job assignments and staffing. We also made our economic proposal, which included competitive wage increases, premium pay, a retirement plan, and health insurance coverage. We expect the Hospital will respond in the same manner as they did with PSPH Techs. They offered the PSPH Techs no guaranteed wage increases (only merit increases) and no longevity steps. In all our union contracts with Providence, we have annual wage increases plus longevity step increases which are dependent on your years of service. We believe that if Providence responds this way, we should take their proposal to a vote just like PSPH! This will show Providence that we stand UNITED against their lackluster economic proposal. 

At the PSPH table, we spent most of the time on two articles: leaves of absence and seniority. We have moved away from some of our previous positions to show Providence we are prioritizing other articles like compensation and PTO/EIB. We also presented our financial transparency petition at the table and Providence was outraged by our show of solidarity! The point of our petition is to demand transparency on how they spend their money to better understand the resources they are devoting to us and how much more they can spend on wages! Providence may say that they provided “extra shift bonuses” to us, but this was only available to respiratory therapists (RTs). Also, they provided “pandemic pay,” but this pay has been inaccessible for most workers and it was only offered for a short period of time. 

We need to take public action to bring light to Providence’s treatment of frontline workers and move Providence at the bargaining table! Our next step is to have an informational picket at Providence St. Peter’s, Centralia, and Everett. We will be holding this informational picket on May 5. We will be holding picket training meetings on April 7 and 28. Please attend one of these meetings to learn your rights! If you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative Erin McCoy (206) 436-6598.

Picket Training  

Wednesday, April 7 @ 6:30 PM
Wednesday, April 28 @ 6:30 PM

Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.

Draper Valley Farms - We have reached an agreement! We recommend a “YES” vote! / ¡Hemos llegado a un acuerdo! ¡Recomendamos un voto “SÍ”!

En diciembre de 2020, Draper Valley Farms pidió iniciar negociaciones y ofrecieron mayores aumentos en comparación con contratos pasados. Nosotros identificamos un par de temas en el contrato para corregir y propusimos mejores aumentos para trabajadores con varios años de servicio. La Compañía rechazó nuestra propuesta salarial de longevidad, pero estaban dispuestos a agregar más dinero a los aumentos salariales anuales. A pesar de estar decepcionados por la falta de interés de la Compañía por los pasos de longevidad, creemos que el trato que obtenemos es bueno. Conseguimos mejores incrementos salariales que el contrato pasado sin pelear ni negociar durante meses. 

Durante esta pandemia, hemos trabajado duro, y creemos que este acuerdo contractual refleja nuestro trabajo. El comité de negociación recomienda un voto “SÍ” el 30 de marzo. 

Comité de negociaciones:

Ralph Orozco, Kulwinder Kaur, Nicaury Brisman, Petra Cavazos

Horario de la votación: 

Martes 30 de Marzo 

8:45 AM - 1:45 PM
Processing Center
1000 Jason Ln,
Mt Vernon, WA 98273

4:00PM - 5:30 PM
Distribution Center
413 Jacks Ln,
Mt Vernon, WA 98273

Back in December 2020, Draper Valley Farms asked to begin bargaining and offered higher wage increases compared to past contracts. We identified a couple of issues with the contract and proposed longevity wage increases and additional premium pay. The Company rejected our longevity wage proposal but were willing to add more money to annual wage increases. Although we are disappointed by the Company’s lack of interest in longevity steps, we believe that the deal we obtain is good. We were able to get higher wage increases than the past contract without fighting or negotiating for months. 

During this pandemic, we have worked hard, and we believe that this contract agreement reflects that hard work. The bargaining committee is recommending a “YES” vote on March 30. 

Bargaining Committee:

Ralph Orozco, Kulwinder Kaur, Nicaury Brisman, Petra Cavazos

Vote Information: 

Tuesday, March 30

8:45 AM - 1:45 PM
Processing Center
1000 Jason Ln,
Mt Vernon, WA 98273

4:00PM - 5:30 PM
Distribution Center
413 Jacks Ln,
Mt Vernon, WA 98273

Lourdes Medical Center - Bargaining Continues

After 5 months of bargaining the Employer has finally agreed to a wage progression scale with guaranteed annual increases.  Although this is an achievement, we have a lot of work ahead on the rates of that scale.

The Union will be working on a response to the Employer’s wage proposal and will be prepared to exchange our counter at the next bargaining date April 13, 2021.

Please reach out to your Bargaining Team or Austen Louden Union Representative (509)340-7372 with any questions or concerns. 

Your Bargaining Team:

Isabella Amaro, NAC

Juanita Quezada, HUC/NAC

Aurora Lopez, ED Coordinator

Jordan Aviles, NAC

Maria Hinojosa, Central Processing

Sam Zoller, NAC

Cascade Specialty Pharmacy vote deadline extended

Due to the current health crisis, we decided to host a mail-in vote to ensure that members can safety vote on their proposed contract. We mailed out ballots on March 4, unfortunately, it has come to our attention that the postal service is experiencing delays and ballots are not arriving as quickly as anticipated. As a result, we are extending the deadline to return your ballots by one week to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to have their voice heard.

NEW VOTE DEADLINE:
WEDNESDAY MARCH 31, 2021 @12PM

NOTE: Ballots must be received, not postmarked, by the deadline.

Please reach out to Union Representative Aimee Oien at (360) 662-1981 with any questions.

Multicare Update - March 19, 2021

“After exhaustive market research, we have passed to management our comprehensive wage proposal, which includes fair wage increases for all members.”

Your Bargaining Team: Alexis Dotts, Glen Steele, Gregg Barney, Heidi Strub, Jamie Fenton, Julianna Van Enk, Kelly Gusman, Kurtis Chaffin, Patricia Brown, Ryan Boyd, Sammy Bainivalu, Teri Kruse, Wanda Rodriguez-Ramos, Yvette Broeckel

Your Bargaining Team met with Management again on March 16. At this session we gave Management a number of our economic proposals after weeks of little movement from MultiCare.

Our proposals included: 

• Wage Proposal: Significant wage increases for ALL members, which were proposed after your Bargaining Team conducted extensive research of industry wages throughout the Seattle/Tacoma region. 

• Hazard Pay: Healthcare workers have risked their own health and safety during this pandemic and deserve to be compensated for their risk. City Councils have started to recognize this risk for grocery workers, now it is time for MultiCare to recognize ours. 

• Workforce Development and Training: We brought in experts to craft a workforce development proposal that would ensure that our members have the support they need to access the many underutilized continuing education benefits at MultiCare.

We also made a proposal to address the divisive proposal that Management made earlier in negotiations regarding the clinics. As you may recall, we reluctantly agreed to MultiCare’s proposal to immediately raise the wages of some clinic Medical Assistants (MA) but not others, promising Management that we would make a future proposal to fix the problem. 

That proposal came today, proposing a historic wage increase for MAs that would ensure that everyone is being paid a fair and equitable wage, which still includes further raises for those who already received one. 

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You’re invited! Please join our next Contract Action Team meeting on Wednesday, April 7 at 7:30AM or 6:30PM. Hear the latest updates and have your questions answered directly from your Bargaining Team. 

Wednesday, August 19
6:00 PM

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Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.

Tell the Bargaining Team about the staffing issues in your department, please spend 5-10 minutes to complete the MultiCare Staffing Survey.

Join the UFCW 21 MultiCare Facebook Page for the latest updates! 

Bartell Drugs - Burien Bartell Members Take Action!

With hazard pay ordinances for grocery workers passing in cities across the country and right here in Western Washington, workers at the Burien Bartell Drugs took action and 100% signed a print version of our Drugstore Worker Hazard Pay Petition!  With their union representative Tae Abraham, they went to the store director today and presented the petition, asking that it be passed along to corporate Bartell/Rite Aid.  

Workers signing the petition are telling stories about the dangers of working during the pandemic and dealing with the increasingly dangerous problems of aggressive theft and threats in their stores due to income inequality.  Drugstore workers deserve hazard pay!

Follow the link below to sign the petition online to join the movement demand fair treatment from the national chain employers!

Kroger Bargaining update: We refuse to be intimated by bully tactics

Yesterday, our UFCW 21 bargaining team made cost-saving proposals to Kroger's QFC representatives that we believe would help keep the Capitol Hill and Wedgwood QFC stores stay open.

In a clear attempt to intimidate workers and city governments, Kroger announced it would close these stores at the end of April, the company blamed its decision on increased costs due to the Seattle City Council’s passage of a temporary $4 per hour hazard pay mandate for grocery store workers on the front lines of the pandemic.

“We met with Kroger's QFC representatives today and presented creative cost-saving proposals that we believe would help keep these stores open. We eagerly await Kroger's response and we remain committed to fighting for the pay that essential workers deserve. We refuse to be intimidated by Kroger’s bully tactics” -Our QFC Bargaining Team

Like other large grocery companies, Kroger has profited from the COVID pandemic as consumers shifted to at-home meal preparation. In 2020, Kroger’s profits increased 53% to $2.74 Billion, and the company funneled $1.9 Billion to investors through dividends and stock buybacks.

UFCW 21 members have been taking action to fight back against Kroger’s bullying by continuing to push Hazard Pay ordinances across the state, speaking out in the media, sitting down with the employer to bargain over the store closures and gearing up for the start of Grocery Store Bargaining in 2022.

Join hundreds of community members that are standing up to Kroger and QFC's bullying - Sign the Petition!>>

Or Text “NOBULLY” to 52886

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RSVP to upcoming Grocery Store CAT (Contract Action Team) meetings>>

OUR QFC BARGAINING TEAM
Sam Dancy, QFC Westwood Village
Amy Dayley Angell, QFC Ballard
Robin Hillistad, QFC Uptown
Jeff Alexander, QFC Wedgwood
Stefanie Cook, QFC Capitol Hill
Faye Guenther, President UFCW 21
Joe Mizrahi, Secretary Treasurer UFCW 21
Jim McGuinness, Attorney

Summit Pacific Medical Center - Progress with Mediation

We had our first mediation Friday with Management and a PERC mediator. We were able to have good discussions and come to agreement on some outstanding non-economic issues. We reached tentative agreements on:

• Feedback (Evaluations)

• Union Bulletin Boards

• Job Postings

• Introductory Employee (Probation Period)

• Department Orientation

There’s still a lot of hard work ahead. We have not yet discussed economics with the mediator, and we are still awaiting Management’s response to our last economic proposals. Our next mediation date is March 24.

“It’s good to see progress with the mediator. Now we can really focus in on our economic issues and win a fair contract.”

—Your Bargaining Team

Your Bargaining Team: Angi Swinhart, Barbara Ford, Jessee Bednarik, Michael Granstrom

Hear more about how mediation went at our Contract Action Meeting this Thursday @ 7PM!

Thursday, March 18
7:00 PM

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center - Contract Approved

Contract Approved

On Monday, March 15, members of the Technical Bargaining Unit voted to ratify a new 3-year contract with Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Our new contract won by supermajority vote and it includes:

• Wage increases that will begin first full pay period following ratification

• Enhanced Bereavement Leave

• NO takeaways to our EIB ad PTO

Our Bargaining Team stood UNITED. When we speak with one voice, we WIN.

Please contact Union Rep Maureen Hatton at 509-340-7370 with any questions or concerns.

OUR BARGAINING TEAM:
Lisa Aker, Surgical Tech; Angela Holmes, Surgical Tech; Teresa Bowden, Respiratory Therapist; Laurie Trudeau, Respiratory Therapist; Sam Zabala, Respiratory Therapist; Miriam Critelli, Pharmacy Tech; Kevin Lange, Mental Health Counselor; Shane Sullivan, Peds Sonagrapher; Aaron Bryant, IR Tech; Derek Roybal, CV Tech; Jason Van Curler, EP Tech

Samaritan Hospital - Settlement Reached on Extra Shift Pay During COVID-19

After months of bargaining with Management we have reached a Memorandum of Understanding regarding extra shift pay. Some of the highlights:

Eligibility:  Nurse must accept a designated eligible shift within 5 calendar days of its original designation. A Nurse must work full FTE during the week she/he accepts an incentive shift.

Low Census after an extra shift has begun will not affect the payment of incentive shift.

Retroactive to January 24, 2021

Ending April 30, 2021

Incentive Tiers

• 12 hour shift - $150

• 10 hour shift - $125

• 8 hour shift - $100

Please contact Maureen Hatton or one of your Union Stewards for more information.

Discovery Behavioral Health - Tentative Agreement Reached

Tentative Agreement Reached

OUR BARGAINING TEAM IS RECOMMENDING A YES VOTE

Our Bargaining Team reached a tentative agreement with Management recently and some of the highlights include:

• Wage increases each year

• Maintaining our healthcare costs

• Ratification bonus

Join our Bargaining Team to discuss the Tentative Agreement reached with Management. We will be conducting an online vote on March 25 @ 9 AM – 9 PM.

Please be on the lookout for an invitation. If you need to update your email, go to:
ufcw21.org/update-your-information

Join our online pre-vote meeting!
Wednesday, March 24
6:00 PM
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.

“We look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday evening so we can discuss what we accomplished at the Bargaining Table.”

-Discovery Behavioral Bargaining Team
Lenora Johnson, Walter Jordan

Providence Everett RNs // Providence St. Peter’s Techs - 99% Vote to Reject Providence’s latest proposal!

On March 11 and 12, the Nurses at Providence Everett and the Technical Workers at Providence St. Peter’s overwhelmingly voted to reject Providence’s latest proposal! While Providence Everett RNs are fighting for improvements to an existing contract, Providence St. Peter’s is fighting for a first contract for the Technical unit.

Providence is proposing to retire the EIB program, reduce PTO for more senior employees, and offering below market wage increases at both bargaining tables. We have notified Providence that both units are not interested in their latest proposal. Providence Centralia is also bargaining a first contract for the Service and Technical units and will be prepared to vote down if they receive the same proposals.

Back in 2019, the Providence units all stood together and fought to keep their EIB/PTO by taking workplace actions together and a strike authorization vote across the state. It is clear to our four bargaining teams that we need to take UNITED action once again!

We will be bargaining with Providence St. Peter’s on March 19 and April 6 and will be going to mediation with Providence Everett on April 12 and April 16.

Please join one of our meetings to find out more and hear about our next steps. Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep, Anthony Cantu (PRMCE) and Erin McCoy (PSPH), for call-in details. Details will also be emailed out.

PSPH Techs
Contract Action Team Meeting
March 22 @ 6:30 PM

Picket Captain Training
April 7 @ 6:30 PM

Picket Captain Training
April 28 @ 6:30 PM

PRMCE RNs
Picket Captain Training
April 6 and April 13 @ 8 PM