Evergreenhealth Monroe - Evergreenhealth Has a Problem with Retention and Recruitment Due to Non-Competitive Wages

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Your voices have been heard and your bargaining team has been working diligently bringing your most important issues to the table.

We have worked countless days to convince Management of your worth.

Management let us know early on that they were struggling and that wage increases may be low.

They also said the employer cost of health insurance has gone up so significantly that we will probably have to change plans after 2023.

Management’s first wage proposal was less than 6% spread out over two years. We proposed a three year contract with wages totaling more than 20% over three years.

Management has now come back to the table with a better proposal on wages. But we’re not there yet.

Support your contract! Let Management know they need to pay a fair and competitive wage!

If you have questions, please reach out to your bargaining team members or Union Representative Sharra Oakley

soakley@ufcw3000.org

“I feel they do not value us for the service we provide to keep the hospital open.”

— Patty Romero, Bargaining Team Member

“We want to be able to give the kind of care that EHM advertises for the Recovery Center. We build better communities one patient at a time.”

— Rosemary Holm Mitchell, Bargaining Team Member

MultiCare Covington Medical Center - Respect us, Protect us and Pay us!

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After months of being at a standstill with bargaining, we had a great, productive day. We proposed all our non-economic proposals, sent over our first wage proposals and received Management’s first counter. We are hopeful that Management will do the right thing and respect us, protect us and pay us!

“We have achieved and come to agreements on many of our non-economic language proposals. While not in agreement on everything, we have made a lot of progress!” -Ken Farrell, Charge RN PCU

“We hope Management realizes adequate staffing saves lives!” -Lolita Edge, CS Tech

“Every job class is important and essential to patient care and the function of the hospital. We all deserve to have good benefits and wages!” -Luz Martinez, Patient Care Tech

“It’s time for Management to realize that competitive wages, benefits and a safe working environment are vital to recruitment and retention.” -Faith Soriano-Miller, Charge Rn PCU

Kronos Outage Update —Last year there was a Kronos outage and Management overpaid many of us and then took money out of our paychecks. Our union in partnership with the other unions sued Multicare and won the lawsuit. However, now MultiCare has rejected the courts ruling and is in the process of appealing the Judges decision. We have demanded dates to bargain with Management and continue to work to find a resolution.

Staffing —While we are fighting for strong staffing language at the bargaining table, we also recognize staffing is a huge issue everywhere. We need to continue to elevate the pressure by submitting official complaints to state agencies and fight to pass legislation on staffing. Go to these links and Fill out these staffing forms when you are short staffed.

Collaborative Staffing Intervention (CSI) Report unsafe staffing and/or missed breaks and lunches.

DOSH Complaint —Report safety issues and/or hazardous working conditions directly to the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).

DOH Complaint —Report unsafe staffing directly to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). We encourage members who file a DOH complaint to also follow-up with a CSI report, ensuring the hospital as a record of the issue.

File CSI & DOSH ▸ufcw3000.org/csi

Cascade Valley Hospital - New Contract Ratified!

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On January 17, 2023 YOUR new contract with 100% YES votes, was ratified!

Thank you for coming out, voting on YOUR contract, and ensuring YOUR voice is heard. Your new wage increases will go into effect two pay periods after the Skagit Regional Health Board Ratifies the contract!

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Union Representative, Celia Ponce-Sanchez at CPoncesanchez@ufcw3000.org or by phone at: (360) 419-4678

Covington Medical Center - United and ready to fight

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Covington Medical Center
UNITED AND READY TO FIGHT

Bargaining

We are at a standstill with bargaining. We have proposed all of our noneconomic proposals and sent over our first economic/wage proposals but heard nothing back from Management. It has been over a month since we have seen any substantial proposals or progress from Management, and they have cancelled the last two weeks of bargaining that we scheduled. It is time for Management to get serious, listen to us the workers and come to the table with substantial proposals that will address our issues.

We come to work, day in and day out and work extremely hard to take care of our patients and community. It is time for Management to respect us and take care of us. Please keep an eye out for more information about our next steps. We need to take action and let them know that we are united and ready fight for what we deserve!

Kronos Outage

Last year there was a Kronos outage and Management overpaid many of us and then took money out of our paychecks. Our union in partnership with the other unions sued Multicare and won the lawsuit. However, now MultiCare has rejected the courts ruling and is in the process of appealing the Judges decision. The Three Unions have demanded dates to bargain with Management and continue to work to find a resolution.

Staffing

While we are fighting for strong staffing language at the bargaining table, we also recognize staffing is a huge issue everywhere. Whatever language we win in our new contract will not solve the chronic staffing issues and mismanagement that continues to plague Covington Medical Center, no amount of money could fix that. We need to continue to elevate the pressure by submitting official complaints to state agencies and fight to pass legislation on staffing. Fill out the staffing forms below when you are short-staffed.

  • DOSH Complaint

Report safety issues and/or hazardous working conditions directly to the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I):
https://www.lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/workplace-complaints/safety-complaints

  • DOH Complaint

Report unsafe staffing directly to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). We encourage members who file a DOH complaint to also follow-up with a CSI report, ensuring the hospital as a record of the issue:
https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/ComplaintIntakeForm.aspx  

  • Collaborative Staffing Intervention (CSI)

Report unsafe staffing and/or missed breaks and lunches:
https://www.ufcw21.org/csi  

St. Michael Medical Center (ProTech) - Bargaining Begins

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St. Michael Medical Center (Pro-Tech)
Bargaining Begins

We met with Management for the first time and proposed our first set of non-economic proposals. We the Bargaining Team are ready to fight for a strong contract that addresses the many needs we have in our departments and that gives equitable and competitive wages!

“Looking forward to the employer’s response” - Kain McLeod, Pharmacy Tech

“We are united in the fight to address the staffing crisis here at St. Michael’s.” - Connie Baker, RT

“Optimistic and ready to work to meet our goals.” - Angela Roberson, Heart and Vascular

If you have any questions about bargaining please reach out to any of our bargaining team members or our Union Rep Aimee Oien @ 360-662-1981.

Our St. Michael Medical Center ProTech Bargaining Team: Paul Harris - ER Tech, Chris Young - Transport, Don Szabo - Lead Medical Imaging, Rob Shauger - CNA 8th floor, Angela Roberson - Heart and Vascular, Connie Baker - RT, Kain McLeod - Pharmacy Tech

LOURDES MEDICAL CENTER/ LIFEPOINT - Technical Unit Bargaining Update

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LOURDES MEDICAL CENTER/ LIFEPOINT
Technical Unit Bargaining Update

Our next bargaining dates will be on January 18 and 19.

Our Bargaining Team met with the Employer for two days of bargaining this week. While we were very close to reaching a Tentative Agreement we caught some mistakes in documents that the Employer provided to us and we were unable to continue until those were investigated and taken care of. We are still confident that our hard work at the table will help win a contract that address economic justice and strengthen our Union within the workplace.

Please reach out to one of your Bargaining Team members or Representative Juanita Quezada at (509)340-7407 with any questions, concerns, or comments.

Your Bargaining Team, Left to Right:
Malinda Mcbee, Pharmacy Tech; Monica Cacioppo, Pharmacy Tech; Juanita Quezada, Union Representative; Francisco Roman-Montoya, Rehab Aide; David Coomes, Surgical Tech; Shahna Airoldi, Ultrasound; Robert Roy, Respiratory Therapist; Not pictured: George Rodriguez, Surgical Tech

“It is better to be safe than sorry.” - Malinda Mcbee, Pharmacy Tech

“The team wants to make sure we have accurate information to get the best possible contract.” - Shahna Airoldi, Ultrasound

“We are making sure that we are crossing our T’s and dotting our I’s.” - George Rodriguez, Surgical Tech

“Adversity eventually leads to a better win.” - David Coomes, Surgical Tech

St. Michael Medical Center - Bargaining Begins

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St. Michael Medical Center
Bargaining Begins

We met with Management for the first time and proposed our first set of non-economic proposals. We the Bargaining Team are ready to fight for a strong contract that addresses the many needs we have in our departments and that gives equitable and competitive wages!

If you have any questions about bargaining please reach out to any of our Bargaining Team members or our Union Rep Ryan Degouveia @ 360-662-1989.

“We will not give up without a fight!” - Pamela Reese, EVS Discharge

“I am excited and optimist about the new contract!” - Vanessa Rosadino, Dietary Caterer

“I feel like we had a productive first day and all of our concerns were heard.” - Susan Mayer, Dietary Cook

“We are ready to fight for a strong contract and get what we need to get done!” - Christy Sammons, EVS Relief

Our St. Michael Medical Center Bargaining Team: Susan Mayer- Dietary Cook, Vanessa Rosadino- Dietary Caterer, Pamela Reese- EVS Discharge, Christy Sammons- EVS Relief

ACME Farms - Bargaining Continues

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ACME Farms
Bargaining Continues

  • After last week’s snow and ice storms, and the ensuing chaos about working on December 23, 26, and 27, we met with ACME Farms to talk about the pace of negotiations, emergencies like last week, and the upcoming busy season. We clarified that:

  • We wanted to pick up the pace of negotiations (while acknowledging scheduling issues on our side of the table) and now have bargaining scheduled on January 9 and 27, and February 3 and 17.

  • We wanted good faith negotiations that would bring us a fair contract to vote on, rather than a series of small agreements on issues that were Management’s priority.

  • We wanted clear communication about emergency situations as they evolve and other things that are important to us (like our pay).

Management talked about the need for more help during the upcoming business season and to deal with incentives for unscheduled shifts. After our meeting with Management, we talked about how to secure incentive pay for us and to make sure that Management didn’t replace union workers with temporary hires.

We are expecting a full set of counter-proposals when we meet again on Monday, January 9. We will have a full report on negotiations and what our next actions will be at our next Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting that same day.

Contract Action Team (CAT) Meeting
Monday, January 9
6pm

Round Table Pizza
1145 E Sunset Dr #135, Bellingham, WA 98226

RSVP: Contact Union Rep Aisha Womack @ 360-419-4681

Lourdes Medical Center/ LifePoint - Technical Bargaining Continues

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Our Bargaining Team met with the Employer for two days of bargaining this week and are confident that our hard work at the table will help win a contract that will address economic justice and strengthen our Union within the workplace. 

Our next bargaining dates: Wednesday, January 4 and Thursday, January 5

For questions, concerns, or comments, please reach out to a Bargaining Team Member or Union Rep Juanita Quezada @ 509-340-7407.

“Positive thinking will let you do everything over negative thinking.” 

- Malinda Mcbee, Pharmacy Tech

 “Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much.”

- Monica Cacioppo, Pharmacy Tech

 “Everything is looking good.  We are moving in the right direction.”

- Francisco Roman-Montoya, Rehab Aide

“The battle is long but the reward is great.” 

- David Coomes, Surgical Tech

“Your Bargaining Team is working hard for you, have no fear.”

- Shahna Airoldi, Ultrasound

Our Lourdes Medical Center Bargaining Team (L-R): Malinda Mcbee - Pharmacy Tech, Monica Cacioppo - Pharmacy Tech, Juanita Quezada - Union Rep, Francisco Roman-Montoya - Rehab Aide, David Coomes - Surgical Tech, Shahna Airoldi - Ultrasound, Robert Roy, Respiratory Therapist; Not pictured: George Rodriguez - Surgical Tech

Lourdes Medical Center/LifePoint (Technical) Bargaining Begins

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Lourdes Medical Center/LifePoint (Technical)

Bargaining Begins

Our next bargaining dates will be December 19 and December 20. We are hopeful that we can get closer to a recommended offer before the Holidays.

"Our Bargaining Team met with the Employer last week. We are striving to get a great contract with our focus being on wages, membership and cleaning up other language in our contract. Everyone is working hard for a contract we can all be happy with.”

- Shahna Airoldi, Ultrasound Tech, Steward, Bargaining Team member

For questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to a Bargaining Team member or Union Rep Juanita Quezada @ (509) 340-7407.

Our Bargaining Team (L - R): Juanita Quezada - Union Representative, Shahna Airoldi - Ultrasound, Malinda Mcbee - Pharmacy Tech, Francisco Roman-Montoya - Rehab Aide, George Rodriguez - Surgical Tech, Robert Roy - Respiratory Therapist
Not Pictured: Monica Cacioppo - Pharmacy Tech, David Coomes - Surgical Tech

Cascade Valley Hospital - Bargaining Continues

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Cascade Valley Hospital
Bargaining Continues

“Being a part of the Bargaining Team has been a wonderful experience. Not only have I felt a sense of unity with my Union members, but I have felt an overwhelming amount of support with my Union representatives” -Elizabeth Smith, Patient Register II

On December 5 and 9, we met with Skagit Regional Health to bargain our contract at Cascade Valley Hospital. We are extremely optimistic that in our next session we may have a tentative agreement to bring forth to membership for a vote! We have tentatively agreed to language including:

  • Ensuring seniority when moving between departments

  • Non-discrimination language including ensuring equity and diversity trainings happen regularly

  • Having discipline removed from personnel files after 2 years

  • Requirements for more notice on

  • any layoffs

  • Language for members to have more time to respond to recall

  • Bereavement leave that now can be non-consecutive to grieve your loved one within a 12-month period

  • Other various language changes to ensure better access to Union rights

We are awaiting Skagit’s response on our per diem proposal, wages, holidays, PTO, convenience days and more. We are hopeful that on Monday, December 19, which is our next bargaining date, to be able to come up with a tentative agreement so that we may have your new CBA in time for the holiday season!

For questions, please reach out to Union Rep Celia Ponce-Sanchez @ (360) 419-4678.

Our Cascade Valley Bargaining Team: Elizabeth Smith – Patient Register II, Pammy Hammond – Unit Assistant, Robin Shults – Pharmacy Tech, Vicky LaPierre – Unit Assistant, Lidna Deeter – Surgical Tech, Jason Burbee – Surgical Tech

EvergreenHealth Monroe - Meet Your UFCW 3000 Bargaining Team

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Rosemary Mitchell is a substance use disorder family counselor and has been with Evergreen Health since 2018. This is her first time on the bargaining team.

She describes her job as serving up hope one patient at a time and saving families. “This is my dream job. I am helping build better families. I joined the bargaining team to be a voice for my coworkers. We have lost a lot of people since 2020 and none have been replaced. I love my job, we just need work-life balance which is hard when you working with a skeleton crew.”

Patty Romero is a certified surgical technologist. She’s been with the hospital for 23 years and has been at the table bargaining the last five contracts.

“I just wanted to be able make a difference on what was fair,” she says of why she joined the bargaining team.

“I am hoping for an equitable and fair contract, and that the hospital sees that we need to feel valued.  They need to acknowledge what we do and what it takes to be away our families. We were on the front lines during the worst of the pandemic while they were sitting at home on their computers when we didn’t have that choice.“

Be on the lookout for Patty and Rosemary to visit your department as they share updates on the latest bargaining developments.

Know someone who is not getting updates? Send them the link to update their contact information!

For additional information contact your Union Representative Sharra Oakley at 206-436-6614.

Harbor Regional Health - Contract Ratified

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Harbor Regional Health
Contract Ratified

Contracts for the Professional, Technical, Service and Maintenance, Business Office and Medical Records units have been overwhelmingly approved! Over several months of bargaining, workers and community members let Management know that wages and staffing conditions must improve.

Increases to wages are effective the first full pay period after ratification. Both the wage increases and ratification bonus will be included in the Friday, December 30 paycheck.

For further information contact a Bargaining Team member or Union Rep Brandan Zielinski @ (206) 436-6603.

Harbor Regional Health Bargaining Team (L-R): Debbie Sturm, Janet Byrd, Daniel James, Ricki Franklin, Bambi Shope

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health - Management ignores cease and desist and demand to bargain over overpayment demands

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In October 2022, the Employer overpaid wages to a large portion of members within St. Michael Medical Center, St. Joseph Medical Center, St. Anne Hospital, and Virtual Health bargaining units. They notified UFCW 3000 that they would be seeking recuperation of the excess wages, which they are legally entitled to do. When the Employer began deducting overpayment members realized that the deducted amounts were incorrect.

We sent the Employer a cease and desist letter asking them to stop the deductions and allow us to bargain over the overpayment recovery plan. Management has ignored our request, so we have filed a group grievance on behalf of all bargaining units regarding the overpayment recovery plan. Additionally, we have filed an unfair labor practice against the Employer for ignoring our request.

If you believe you have been deducted an incorrect amount, please email your paystubs and a brief description of how much money you believe is owed to you at: Virginiamasonwagegrievance@ufcw3000.org. We will continue sending out updates to all VMFH bargaining units.

We also encourage you to file a L&I complaint with the State: https://secure.lni.wa.gov/wagecomplaint/#/ and file a PAR with VMFH human resources.

Card Kingdom - Bargaining Continues

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On November 15, your bargaining team met with Card Kingdom to continue negotiations. Your bargaining team achieved 4 tentative agreements with Card Kingdom, including: 

  • An article that addresses anti-bias and de-escalation training

  • An article that creates a labor management committee to meet with your employer quarterly to address workplace issues

  • An article that shows how dues are paid and how Card Kingdom will share employee information with the union

  • An agreement that union members will be notified of new jobs and if they do not get the job will be able to get feedback on why

Tentative agreements mean that your bargaining team and Card Kingdom have agreed on proposed language and once they agree on an entire contract, Card Kingdom workers will review and vote on the tentative agreement to become a full contract/CBA.

We will be meeting with Card Kingdom again to continue negotiations. If you have any questions, please reach out to your bargaining team.

In Solidarity,

Cole (AM Production)

Raevyn Fletcher (ON Production)

Zach Whittle (ON Machine Ops)

Mark Ochsner (AM Warehouse Specialist)

Kosmo Parker (ON Shipping)

Jeff Dunn (PM Inventory)

Lee North (AM Grading)

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health - UFCW 3000 sends cease and desist over VMFH overpayment demands

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Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
UFCW 3000 sends cease and desist over VMFH overpayment demands

On November 10, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health sent notice to workers across several facilities that they intend to recover wage overpayments associated with the October 21 paycheck, which were as of a result of last month’s Kronos outage.

Healthcare workers have expressed concern over the Employer’s overpayment recovery plan, specifically, questions regarding the accuracy of the Employer’s math and hardships over the limited payment options.

In response, UFCW Local 3000 has sent Virginia Mason Franciscan Health a cease-and-desist letter to allow us time to bargain an agreement that addresses these concerns.

In the meantime, we recommend that members retain any documentation related to the October 2- October 15 payroll period. We will follow-up with additional information as this situation develops.

MultiCare Covington Medical Center - Management Needs to Bargain with Us!

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Your Bargaining Team: 

Faith Soriano-Miller, RN – PCU 

Erin Reynolds, HUC in ED 

Lolita Edge, CS Tech in Sterile Processing 

Luz Martinez, Monitor Tech 

Poonam Gill, RN – PACU 

Austin Smith, EVS 

Ken Farrell, Charge RN MedSurg

Management has moved very little at the bargaining table. Our Bargaining Team came to the table ready to fight for a strong and equitable contract for all of our coworkers. We came to the table with multiple proposals to better our working conditions, including low census and staffing. Unfortunately, Management rejected our current proposals and refuses to bargain on the issues that matters most to us. 

“Management needs to respect our FTEs; just like Management has financial obligations, we too have financial obligations for ourselves and our families.” 

— Lolita Edge, CS Tech in Sterile Processing 

“We need to have better working conditions so that we can recruit and retain qualified staff.” 

— Ken Farrell, Charge RN MedSurg 

“A good contract is a reflection of how much Management cares and respects their employees.” 

— Faith Soriano-Miller, RN – PCU 

Please join our petition for a fair and strong contract. We call on Management to bargain a contract that respects us, pays us and protects us. 

Sign the Petition Online!

If you want more information about what’s going on with bargaining, there are three meetings coming up to meet your Bargaining Team and get more information!

  • Online Contract Action Meeting
    Thursday, November 17 • 7:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/join

  • Lunch with Bargaining Team
    Tuesday, November 22 • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

  • Online Contract Action Meeting
    Tuesday, November 22 • 5:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/join

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


Providence Holy Family Hospital - New three-year contract Ratified 6 months before expiration

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Providence Holy Family Hospital
New three-year contract Ratified 6 months before expiration

“I have just witnessed a one day negotiation with a approval rating of 99% from our members. I have been in management for just over 18 years and have been with this great union UFCW 3000 for around 10 years. I have also been employed with Holy Family Hospital for over 21 years. In my eyes this fast track negotiation is a blessing. Corporate management has realized that we are all in a desperate mode to keep us staffed properly and the reason we haven’t been able to is money. We have great language in our contract that I feel will keep this process going. Thank you all for participating and God bless.” -David James Coleck, NAC, Union Steward and Bargaining Team

On Thursday, November 3, UFCW 3000 represented Service and Maintenance members at Providence Holy Family Hospital ratified a new 3 year contract. We have set a foundation to build power within the workplace that will improve working conditions. Our new contract contains the highest wage increases that we have seen at Holy Family, increases to premiums, and tuition reimbursement by super-majority vote.

Thank you to all members who joined one of our vote meetings and participated in the ratification of this contract. Contact a Bargaining Team member or Union Rep Lenaya Wilhelm @ (509) 340-7369 for any questions or concerns.

Our Providence Holy Family Bargaining Team: Joseph Turner - SPD, Jackie Williams - UFCW Negotiator, Kendrick Jones - EVS, David James Coleck - NAC, Emily Hoover - Lab, Jodi Spurgin - Cook, Denise Hatch - Medical Support Staff, Lenaya Wilhelm - UFCW Union Rep, Not pictured: James Joyce - ER Tech, Alysha Cooper - CNA

Harbor Regional Health - HRH Management is Starting to Get it

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Your Bargaining Team: Janet Byrd, Ricki Franklin, Dan James, Bambi Shope, Debbie Sturm.

After months of being severely understaffed and unable to hire, HRH is starting to make the connection and come to the table with proposals recognizing the high cost of living and pay at surrounding hospitals. (The connection may also have something to do with the large group of energetic picketers marching in front of the hospital a few weeks ago!)

The Union Bargaining Committee met with management on October 24 and we traded proposals. 

We were scheduled to meet November 3 but management notified us at the last minute that they couldn’t meet. The Union Bargaining team made good use of the time to review management’s current proposals and plan for our next session November 15. We are hopeful that management will come back to the table prepared to get this done!

For more information or to get involved, reach out to Union Representative Brandan Zielinski at bzielinski@ufcw3000.org or (206) 436-6603.

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