Trios Health Bargaining Update - Federal Mediator has been Contacted!

The Union continues to push for fair wages. We gave a counter compensation proposal to the employer and did not receive a favorable response.

“The Federal Mediator will be joining the bargaining table on October 22, 2021 and through the remainder of the bargaining process in hopes of bringing us closer to “Market Competitive Positions” within our community.”

- Casey Nitta, RN, Bargaining Team Member

UNITED WE WIN, DIVIDED WE BEG

Please contact your bargaining team or Union Rep Austen Louden @ 509-340-7372 with any questions or concerns.

Northwest Administrators - Tentative Agreement Reached—Vote Scheduled

Your Bargaining Team has reached a tentative agreement with Management on new collective bargaining agreements for both units at Northwest Administrators. Your Bargaining Team unanimously recommends a “YES” vote!

This agreement includes:

• Supplemental Wage Payment (Bonus) equivalent to 50 hours of pay after ratification,

• Higher wage increases compared to our last vote retroactively paid back to September 1, 2021,

• Significantly improved layoff and recall language ensuring that, when facing a layoff, employees shall be released by inverse seniority and then returned to work before hiring new employees. 

• Strong protection against potential increases to the cost of healthcare,

• And more

The full details of the offer will be made available during our online vote meeting on Thursday October 21.

Northwest Administrators Online Meeting

Thursday October 21 

6:00PM

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

It’s extremely important that members attend the zoom meeting to get a full understanding of the employer’s offer and have your questions answered. However, voting will not take place at this meeting.

We will be voting online via “SimplyVoting” on Friday, October 22 from 6:00AM to 8:00PM. You will be receiving an email from UFCW 21 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information. 

If you do not receive an email to vote on Friday October 22, then please reach out to Union Representative Rhonda Fisher-Ivie at (206) 436-6584 no later than 5PM on the day of the vote to provide an updated email address. 

Providence RadiantCare, we demand bargaining dates

It has been six months since we unionized, and we have not received bargaining dates from Providence! Typically, we head to the bargaining table about 3 - 6 months after unionizing and bargain for about 10 - 12 months for a first contract. Providence Centralia (Techs and Service units) and Providence St. Peter’s (Tech unit) bargained for about fifteen months in order to reach a first contract agreement.

We have formed a Bargaining Committee comprised of Kelly Covington (RN), Winter Everson (Radiation Therapist), Branden Raftery (Dosimetrist), and Paul Lofing (Radiation Therapist). The job of the Bargaining Committee is to be the voice of the entire bargaining unit at the negotiation table and represent the interests of all workers within the unit. The committee has presented each departments’ contract wish list and we have discussed contract priorities for the entire bargaining unit.

Part of preparing for negotiations involves requesting information from Providence. In August, we requested that Providence provide policies, procedures, an employee roster, all employee benefit plans, and other information pertinent to negotiations, but we have not received anything from them. This information is over a month late! If Providence continues to delay fulfilling the information request, we will be taking legal action.

This information is needed to create a proper first proposal. Currently we have created an initial non-economic proposal based on the bargaining committee’s knowledge and the feedback they have heard from their departments.

We will continue requesting bargaining dates from Providence and will be seeking legal action on this matter as well if they delay further!

If you have comments, workplace issues, or are facing disciplinary action, please contact your Union Rep Erin McCoy (206) 436-6598 (landline).

Providence Centralia Techs UNANIMOUSLY RATIFIY FIRST CONTRACT!

On October 7, the Providence Centralia Techs unanimously approved their first contract! About fifteen months after organizing, we were able to obtain a great first contract with competitive wage increases and job protections.

Our next step is for both parties to sign the contract, which usually takes one to two months. Then we will distribute paper copies of the contract and post it on our website at: ufcw21.org.

Your new wage increases will go into effect the first full pay period following October 7.

If you have any workplace or disciplinary issues, please reach out to your Union Rep Erin McCoy, 206-436-6598 (landline), or the Membership Resource Center, 206-436-6570.

You can find more information about your Union rights, Shop Steward training, free college, Union discounts, and how to sign a Union membership application at: ufcw21.org/new-members.

Welcome to UFCW 21, PCH Techs, and congratulations on winning your first contract!

Bargaining Team: Jennifer Frunz, Kathy Spencer, Jennifer Mullins

Central Washington Hospital Contract Ratified with Super Majority YES Vote!

Thanks to the many members that turned out for the contract vote, asked questions, and made your voice heard.

There is power in numbers- we’ll need to stay active as union members over the next few years to keep making improvements to staffing at Central Washington Hospital. All wage increases and ratification bonus will be paid the first full pay period after ratification.

REMINDER- All members have a right to an Equity Review within 30 days of ratification. If you feel that your wage step is incorrect, please contact Human Resources and request a review.

Questions? Please reach out to your Bargaining Team with any concerns or contact your Union Rep Maureen Hatton, 509-340-7370.

COMPLETE YOUR UNION MEMBERSHIP ONLINE!
https://bit.ly/centralWAhospital

Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital RN - CONTRACT RATIFIED!

We’re excited to announce that nurses at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital voted overwhelmingly to ratify their new contract on Tuesday!

If you have any questions about our next contract, please reach out to a Bargaining Team member or call Union Representative Kent Tse at (206) 436-6512.

Auburn Medical Center RNs Bargaining Update

We’ve been negotiating with MultiCare for a few months and, while significant progress has been made, we remain apart on many items. 

The major problem we’re facing is that MultiCare is trying to copy and paste the agreements we’ve recently won at their Pierce County facilities, unwilling to agree to anything different. Auburn Medical Center is a unique facility with different issues, and most importantly, in a different labor market. 

Please sign our petition demanding that Management recognizes that Auburn Medical Center nurses deserve more than a copy and paste agreement! Demanding that Management offer an economic package that will attract and retain nurses in King County not only today, but for the entire duration of our contract. 

Survey Link: bit.ly/MC-Staffing21
  
You’re Invited! Please join us for our next Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting to hear the latest from your bargaining team.

MHS Auburn Medical Center CAT Meeting
Wednesday, October 6 @ 6:30 PM

Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for Zoom details

Bargaining Team: Cory Larsen, Kathleen Vukelich, Caroline Bellinger

CHI Virtual Health Services CONTRACT RATIFIED!

We excited to announce that members at CHI Virtual Health Services voted to ratify their new contract on Friday October 1! This historic contract includes a new wage scale that is competitive with neighboring employers, including MultiCare, which will help attract and retain staff.

We’ve informed the Employer of this news and they’ve said the new wages should go into effect no later than two pay periods after ratification. If you have any questions about your contract, please contact Union Representative Kent Tse at (206) 436-6512.

Macy's refuses to increase wage

Macy’s Refuses to Increase Wages

On Thursday, September 30, our Bargaining Team met with Macy’s and ended the day frustrated with:

-No increase to their wage proposal,
-Their refusal to retain MLK Day as a PTO,
-Their continued insistence on taking away our attendance credits and pay scales,
-No progress on dealing with the problems that the pandemic store closures created for our vacation and holiday pay.

Macy’s was clear that they expected us to accept their take-aways and low wages, and that you all would vote yes on it.  It is clear to us is that Macy’s corporate “People Leaders” are out of touch with what their people are going through in the stores!  

While they are offer bonuses for working on the weekends, sticking around through the Holidays, and referring friends and family to apply at Macy’s, they refuse to pay us a basic living wage. They talk about “reliability” when it comes to our attendance but refuse to see how unreliable they are if we can’t make the rent. Instead of investing in their business through our work, they expect us to bear the burden on our lives that their low-ball proposals create.

Who makes Macy’s business work? We do!

“With all the nothing that Macy’s gave us on Thursday, we need to get them with a lot of something! Come to the CAT Meeting as we prepare for our info picket day!”

—Candice Hemphill

---

Join us for our second Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting! We will be preparing for informational picketing and other actions as we take our fight to the public and our customers.

Friday, October 8 @ 5 PM
https://zoom.us/join 
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be emailed out.

Jefferson Healthcare RN - Contract Negotiations Begin!

Our team of RNs from Jefferson have met with Management and started trading proposals.

Nurses have worked hard this last several months, short staffed and constantly being redeployed. The recent Covid surge has been challenging as well as the recent restructure of ACU/ICU and FBC/ED. 

The first proposals exchanged have been mostly non-economic changes to language including Non-Discrimination, distribution of Contracts and Job Descriptions, Use of Per Diems, release for Jury/Witness Duty, Discipline and Discharge. We are working on other language changes to improve our contract. In the coming weeks we are scheduled to meet each week to negotiate over these and other, more pressing issues, including total compensation, scheduling and benefits.

Future Bargaining Dates:

• October 5

• October 12

• October 19

• October 26

Our Jefferson Healthcare RN Bargaining Team: Ben Schadler, RN ICU; Melanee Knudson, RN FBC; Jeannette Hundley, RN Surgical Services; Robin Bridge, RN ED; Ryan DeGouveia, UFCW 21; Cathy Macphail, UFCW 21

Jefferson Healthcare Pro Tech & Clinic - Bargaining Begins at Jefferson!

After a difficult year and a half of fighting Covid on the front lines, our Bargaining Team is now fighting for a fair contract. Everyone has been hard at work crafting proposals that will improve wages and working conditions.

The first few sessions, the team has been addressing non-economic contract language. Proposals have addressed Non-Discrimination, Employee Handbooks/Policies, Union Application and Contract distribution, Jury/Witness Duty, Discipline and Grievance Procedures. In the coming weeks we are meeting to address the issues that are most important to you. We have scheduled the following dates and will add to as needed.

Future Bargaining Dates:

• September 29

• October 6

• October 13

• October 27

Our Jefferson Healthcare RN Bargaining Team: Karen Starling, Clinic RN; Nell Allen, Pharmacy Tech Specialist; Natalie Irwin, Physical Therapist; Kim Vasenda, CNA; Monique Samos, Patient Accounts Rep; Miychell Vereeke, Dental Assistant; Robyn Wentz, Surgical Tech; Ryan De Gouveia, UFCW 21; Cathy Macphail, UFCW 21;

Macy's Update- Alderwood Workers Take Action

Your bargaining committee met with Macy’s Management twice last week, making little progress on any of the important issues on

the table.

Which is why on Wednesday, September 22, Union workers at the Alderwood Macy’s took action and marched to the store offices to present the results of our Is Macy’s Reliable? survey. 95% of Macy’s workers surveyed said that Macy’s was unreliable and needed to change their offer, and we wanted to make sure management heard that message loud

and clear.

At first store Management was unresponsive to our request to talk to them, but Union members were loud and clear and refused to leave till we were able to present them with the survey results.

Our community allies from Poverty Action Network, and The Children’s Alliance also joined us to tell Management’s spokesperson that the community (Macy’s customers) stood with the workers in their fight for a fair contract.

More Action Needed!

“Management is only going to listen to us if we take action. In 2018 we all formed info pickets at our stores and showed we were ready to fight. It is that time again!”

—Marvella Joseph

We will be letting people know what the next action is what happened at bargaining the day before when we meet on Zoom this Friday. The holidays are upon us, this is a critical time for Macy’s business, and workers are the ones that makes their business run. They literally can’t do it without us!

Join our Zoom Contract Action Meeting!

Friday, October 1
5 PM
https://zoom.us/join
Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will also be sent to your email.

Trios Health - Onward to Economics

Last week, our Bargaining Team presented all of our non-economic proposals. We are eager to begin Economic discussions next Wednesday, September 29 and Friday, October 1. The unity shown by wearing stickers sent a strong message to Trios Health that we are united for Staffing, Safety, Recruitment, and Retention. Please continue wearing them with pride all month—we are pushing not only for staffing improvements in our contract, but side by side with other healthcare unions statewide for Stronger Staffing Legislation in Olympia.  

If you have questions, please reach out to your Union Representative Austen Louden, 509-340-7372. 

“Keep your eye out for Union Car Signs to show your support for Trios Nurses and safe staffing. Our Bargaining Team and stewards will be distributing them this week. Share widely with family and friends!”

Our Trios Health Bargaining Team: Casey Nitta, Stephanie Weibel, Milari Olexa, Tami Ottenbreit, and Carol Goplen

Providence Centralia Hospital Support Service overwhelmingly approved their first contract

On September 15, the Providence Centralia Support Service overwhelmingly approved their first contract! About fourteen months after organizing, we were able to obtain a great first contract with competitive wage increases and job protections.

Our next step is for both parties to sign the contract and then we will distribute the contract, and post the contract on www.ufcw21.org. This process usually takes about one to two months. Your wage increases will go into effect the first full pay period following September 15, 2021, which starts on September 26.

If you have any workplace or disciplinary issues please reach out to Erin McCoy (Union rep) or the Membership Resource Center at 206-436-6570.

Find more information HERE about your union rights, shop steward training, free college, union discounts, and how to sign a union membership application!

Welcome to UFCW 21 PCH Support Service and congratulations on winning your first contract!

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital RN - Tentative Agreement Reached

Our Bargaining Team has reached a tentative agreement with Management on a new three-year collective bargaining agreement for Registered Nurses at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. We are excited to announce that this tentative agreement includes:

• Historic wage increases

• Elimination of all ghost steps on the wage scale (steps with no wage increases),

• $500 ratification bonus, prorated by FTE,

• Increases to a number of wage premiums including shift differential, standby pay, weekend premium, charge nurse pay, and preceptor pay,

• Improved charge nurse language allowing nurses to object to the assignment,

• No health care premium increases next year with caps in subsequent years,

• And so much more!

We also added the spot bonus incentive program into this agreement; however, we were not able to maintain our current Appendix G incentive plan. In exchange, we were able to add more money in other portions of the agreement. It would also conform our incentive program with other MultiCare RN contracts, including Tacoma General Hospital.

The full details of the offer will be made available during our online vote meeting on Monday, October 4.

It’s extremely important that members attend the zoom meeting to get a full understanding of the employer’s offer and have your questions answered. However, voting will not take place at this meeting.

We will be voting online via “SimplyVoting” on Tuesday, October 5. You will be receiving an email from UFCW 21 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information.

In order to vote, everyone needs to make sure their personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email, please update your information HERE

If you do not receive an email to vote on Monday, October 5, then please reach out to Union Representative Kent Tse at (206) 436-6512 to provide an updated email address.

Auburn Medical Center RNs Bargaining Update

We met with the Employer again on September 14, and it was one of the more productive days of negotiations thus far. After expressing our frustration with Management’s constant delays, we’re pleased to report that they were ready to accept the Union’s proposal first thing in the morning.

In our proposal, we continued to push the narrative that our new contract should include a wage scale that is not only competitive today but will remain so for the entire three-year duration of the agreement. Nurses are being worked to the point of burnout because of the staffing crisis and our wage proposal would make it easier for the Employer to hire and retain staff, providing much needed relief.

We’ve also held firm on our demand that members receive some form of compensation as a result of the delays caused by Management. Our contract was originally scheduled to expire last month, which is when we should have received our wage increases. Therefore, each day that passes without an agreement is more money the Employer is pocketing that should have been added to our wages.

Your Bargaining Team will meet with Management again on Wednesday, September 22.

Join the Bargaining Team at our next virtual Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting on Monday, October 6 @ 6:30 PM to hear the latest from negotiations, have your questions answered, and learn how you can help us win a fair contract! Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for Zoom details. The direct link to join will also be emailed. 

New Incentive Shift Pay for Forks RNs!

New Incentive Shift Pay for Forks RNs!

 After pressure from the Nurses, Management agreed to a new shift incentive, effective September 14, for designated shifts an RN picks up beyond their FTE. Per diem Nurses are also eligible for the incentive after picking up 5 shifts in a payroll period.

Incentives for designated shifts are as follows:

8 hour shift: $300
10 hour shift: $375
12 hour shift: $450

We are still pushing management to provide shift incentives for other job classifications. This incentive will run through January 1, 2022.

Macy’s needs to be a reliable employer!

We are Macy’s Union members who have worked through this pandemic serving our customers and communities. In a survey 95% of Union workers said Macy’s needs to be reliable and:

Improve our safety and working conditions. During the pandemic we have faced increased risk on the job, and need better protections on the job.

Pay fair wages for the work we do. We worked during the pandemic without hazard pay and we deserve a raise, and recognition for our years of service.

Ensure fairness at work. Macy’s wants to target part-time workers with an unfair and unreliable attendance system. We want to keep the credit for our good attendance, built over years of loyal service.

Thank you for shopping at a Union store and for your support!

Providence St. Peter Hospital Tech Wins First Contract!

On September 16, the Providence St. Peter’s Techs overwhelmingly approved their first contract! About seventeen months after organizing, we were able to obtain a great contract with competitive wage increases and job protections.

Our next step is for both parties to sign the contract, then we will distribute and post it on our website at: www.ufcw21.org. This process usually takes about one to two months. Your wage increases will go into effect the first full pay period following September 16, 2021. 

If you have any workplace or disciplinary issues please reach out to Union Rep Erin McCoy or the Membership Resource Center 206-436-6570. You can find more information about your Union rights, shop steward training, free college, Union discounts, and how to sign a Union membership application on https://www.ufcw21.org/new-members.

Welcome to UFCW 21, PSPH Techs, and congratulations on winning your first contract!

Bargaining Team: Josh Wood, Rae Lynn Korpi, Shapel Morgan, Colleen Castaneda

Trios Health - Sticker Up for Staffing

Our Bargaining Team proposed a Comprehensive Covid Vaccine Agreement that includes payout of PTO for employees who do not receive an exemption or the vaccine series and protections for all nurses. Through conversations with the Employer—we are pushing them to maintain the October 18 deadline to submit exemptions and proof of starting the vaccine series. We believe we will reach agreement before our next bargaining session on September 22 and will send out a copy to all nurses. 

Staffing, Safety, Recruitment, and Retention continue to be our leading issues—and all tied to the need for Trios to be market competitive with economics. We worked tirelessly to address issues with safety and floating and improve our current language and practices. 

Our first action to show widespread unity is a Staffing Sticker Action on September 21 and 22—the bargaining team stewards will be distributing stickers to each unit. Please wear stickers with pride both days in support of our next bargaining session on the 22. 

If you have questions about negotiations or vaccines, please reach out to your Union Representative Austen Louden, 509-340-7372. 

“The time for UNITY and SOLIDARITY is now—we will be taking action throughout September and October to send a strong message that Trios Nurses stand together for our patients and community. Join us in stepping up and speaking out.”

Our Trios Health Bargaining Team: Casey Nitta, Stephanie Weibel, Milari Olexa, Tami Ottenbreit, and Carol Goplen