Lourdes Medical Center Service and Maintenance Contract Ratified!

Contract extended!

On March 15, 2024, Members of the Service and Maintenance Unit ratified a 2-year extension to their current contract that will now expire July 23, 2027. The contract extension will provide wage increases the first full pay period in April to all represented employees and place

Lourdes at a far better position to recruit and retain staff. Represented staff will start accruing PTO at a higher rate and the max cap on the PTO bank will increase.

Please contact a bargaining team member or Union Representative Juanita Quezada with any questions or concerns.

LabCorp - Federal Mediation Begins

Last week, our union Bargaining Team met with LabCorp management and for the first time this contract cycle, a Mediator from the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Services (FMCS) joined us to help facilitate negotiations.

First, the good: We’re making movement on most of the outstanding non-economic proposals, which means we’re locking down needed changes and narrowing the scope of our negotiations to crucial wage and benefits improvements. We’re securing parking for Seattle Couriers, a stipend for members who work from home, and stronger Union Stewards and Membership language.

We also received LabCorp’s economic and benefits counter. We’re excited to announce that LabCorp has agreed to new employees being eligible for health insurance at the beginning of the next month following their hire date (instead of needing to wait 60 days) and to extending coverage on our Blue Cross Blue Shield plans for MDLive (Telehealth). We’re also excited to share that LabCorp is working with the restructured wage scale that we carefully crafted in February, which eliminates all ghost steps, has the same number of maximum steps for all positions, and gets everyone to the top of the scale faster.

Now, the bad: LabCorp still isn’t offering fair or competitive compensation. Their new proposal maintains:

• 0% - 5% wage increases over the rates members are making right now
• only a 2% annual COLA increase for Year 2 and Year 3
• no consistent percentage increases between steps
• no increases to differentials, premium rates, or holidays
• higher employee monthly healthcare premiums ($198.98 for employee-only plans)
• increased out of pocket maximums ($6,000/$12,000)
• higher copays ($30 primary care, $70 specialist, $200 emergency room, $10/$20 RX)
• no tuition reimbursement, 401k improvements, or other optional benefits coverage

LabCorp cannot solve their recruitment and retention issues with this proposal. We want to be fully staffed so that we can provide the quality service that our community deserves, and we’re willing to fight for it.

“If you’re really serious about winning better wages and healthcare, the time to show up is now. It’s not enough to talk. You need to walk the walk with us.”

Deborah Gibby, Senior Lab Assistant

UPCOMING ACTION: INFORMATIONAL PICKET!

Friday, April 12 12pm – 2pm

@ Swedish Hospital – First Hill Campus

We’ll be holding an informational picket and community rally with our patients, providers, union partners, family, and friends to show LabCorp we stand together for a fair contract. We need everyone! Find more information & RSVP at: >> RSVP HERE

UPCOMING: DROP-IN CONTRACT ACTION MEETINGS

Tuesday, March 19 7:30am – 9:30am

Wednesday, March 20 & Thursday, March 21 9:00am – 9:30am

@ James Tower Cafeteria, Swedish Cherry Hill

Come down and talk with your bargaining team about negotiations updates and upcoming actions!

Bargaining Team: Kyle Chrisman, Deborah Gibby, Lisa Magee, Sam McVay, Matt Noll, Nancy Pyanowski, Shelby Tyner

Please reach out to a member of your bargaining team, or to your Union Reps Christie Harris at 206-436-6606 and Charlie King at 206-436-6518 if you have questions or want to get more involved.

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett - Next Steps for Inpatient Rehab

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett
Next Steps for Inpatient Rehab

On March 12 we met with Providence Everett (PRMCE) Management about the future of Inpatient Rehabilitation at the Pacific Campus. PRMCE told us they plan on moving Inpatient Rehabilitation to an offsite location near South Everett/Lynnwood which will be managed by LifePoint. The new site will have 40 beds and is expected to open sometime in the late summer.

PRMCE plans on closing inpatient rehab at the Pacific Campus once the new site can take patients but does not know the exact date of when this will occur.

Under our contracts and federal law, RN, Tech, and Professional caregivers have the right to bargain over the effects of a unit closure. Additionally, PRMCE must provide caregivers with a 14 to 30-day notice of layoffs and current employees can bump existing employees (please refer to the seniority article 7.1).

While we do not have a set date for when the closure will occur, we will be setting a bargaining date to negotiate over the impact of the closure.

Join the closure discussion and work on proposals!

Tuesday, March 19 @ 6pm
Contact your Union Rep for Zoom details

Questions? Please contact Union Rep Jack Crow (Pro and Tech) @ 206-436-6614 or Union Rep Anthony Cantu (RN) @ 206-436-6566.

MultiCare Auburn Medical Center Professionals - Show me the money!

MultiCare Auburn Medical Center Professionals
Show me the money!

BARGAINING TEAM: Brent Kirshenbaum, Pharmacy; Ramona Strassburg, Psychiatry Adult; Marci Pindi, Social Work

Our Bargaining Team met with MultiCare on March 7 to continue negotiations on our first Union contract.

While we did get responses back from MultiCare on some outstanding articles regarding our working conditions - like scheduling and FTE concerns, required health exams, and where members of our union can address staffing concerns, we received a similar response to MultiCare on our insurance benefits to what appears to be MultiCare’s current approach to insurance benefits - in short - rejecting the proposal almost in its entirety.

Furthermore, we are still awaiting a formal response to many of our other economic proposals: i.e; our wages!

We’re eager to see what MultiCare comes to the table with at our next bargaining session, which is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20.

“So many of my coworkers came to me with frustrations on our benefits… and MultiCare came back and just dismissed all of them.” —Brent Kirshenbaum, Pharmacy, Bargaining Team member

MultiCare Health Systems If these dozen voices aren’t heard —then our two thousand will be!

“MultiCare is holding hostage your present stability for the sake of future uncertainties”—Brian Dansereau, Pharmacy Technician 

Our union bargaining team met with MultiCare on Wednesday, March 6 to continue negotiations on our nine contracts. 
While responding to our proposals on topics such as concerns with our insurance benefits, or a guarantee that parking will remain free- Management’s unwillingness to agree to these proposals was chalked up to an uncertainty over what MultiCare might decide in the future, or sentiments that the insurance benefits are “system wide”- so we’re left to suspect that means it’s too difficult for them to amend? 

We feel it is too difficult to navigate the constant changes in health insurance for ourselves, our families, and our children; we feel it is too difficult to wait longer and longer to see our physicians; and we feel it’s too difficult to get the prescriptions those physicians have prescribed us when we have to navigate MultiCare’s narrowing in-network eligibility! 

If MultiCare can’t hear the demands of our bargaining team —they WILL hear the voices of over 2,000 MultiCare employees represented in these nine contracts: we’re here to bargain for our benefits and our working conditions! 

Sign the Unity Petition and stay up to date on all-things MultiCare bargaining ▸

Take action checklist:

• Sign and share the petition, We Stand United for a Fair Contract at MultiCare

• Join the Facebook Group, MultiCare Workers United for a Fair Contract

REI Union Workers from Across the US March on Company Headquarters, Demand to Bargain in Good Faith

REI workers from around the country joined together yesterday to show our power and unwavering solidarity to fight for a fair first contract, marching on REI headquarters to invite CEO Eric Artz to sit down with representatives from the worker bargaining team—in person, right in the parking lot. REI management was a no-show, so the group of green vests delivered a letter to the Employer's locked front door, surrounded by cheering friends and allies there in solidarity!

REI has unilaterally changed their longstanding past practice and took away merit raises and 2024 Summit Pay at union REIs. Our union has joined other REI union locals around the country to file an Unfair Labor Practice against REI for breaking labor law.

Hear directly from our coworker Sue about why yesterday was so important:

“REI has a list of values and one of them is the ‘co-op way’. One of them is that we start from a place of respect. We acknowledge and resolve our differences of opinion because it helps us tackle problems, learn faster, do better, and go further.”

Has REI lived up to the co-op way? Union workers yesterday went to HQ to say NO! and to demand REI stop union-busting and negotiate with union workers in good faith. The way we win a fair contract is by being engaged and being ready to exercise our right to fight for it! Reach out to anyone on your bargaining team to get more involved in negotiations and upcoming actions.

Feel free to reach out to your union rep Dominick Ojeda at (206) 436-6586.

You can find more about the national campaign here: ourrei.com
View more from the action yesterday at the REI Union Twitter

Ashley House We have reached a tentative agreement on a new Union Contract

This contract is fully recommended by the Bargaining Team. Our Union Bargaining Team: (L-R) Cindy Jones LPN Browns Point, Emily Guffin RN Spokane, Donna Iverson CNA Olympia

Highlights include:

• 3% Wage Increase

• Effective January 2024

• Maintenance of Health Benefits

• Expiration Date of August 1, 2024

Contract Votes Scheduled!

Monday, March 18 from 4:30pm-7:00pm

Olympia: 1240 Smith Street SE. Olympia WA 98501

Shoreline: 18904 Burke Ave N. Shoreline WA 98133

Tuesday, March 19 from 4:30pm-7:00pm

Brown’s Point: 4411 Browns Point Blvd. NE. Tacoma WA 98422

Kent: 25120 43 Avenue S. Kent WA 98032

Wednesday March 20, 2024 from 4:30pm-7:00pm

Edgewood: 11306 8th Street E. Edgewood WA 98372

Auburn: 30313 118th Avenue SE. Auburn WA 98092

Spokane: 4118 S. Cook Street. Spokane WA 99223

UFCW 3000 members in good standing are encouraged to attend a meeting, ask questions, and vote. For additional information contact our Union Representative or a Bargaining Team member.

Swain’s General Store - Tentative Agreement Reached!

On Tuesday, March 6, our Union Bargaining Team met with management for our fourth and final bargaining session. We have reached a Tentative Agreement with the Employer that:

• Significantly reduces the number of hours required to attain Journey status.

• Increases wages.

• Includes retroactive pay to January 1 of this year.

• Maintains our quality healthcare through the Sound Health and Wellness Trust without passing hourly cost increases on the employees.

A notice of the specifics of when we will hold the ratification vote will be forthcoming. We appreciate everyone’s patience through this process and look forward to discussing the Tentative Agreement with you at the vote meeting.

Our Union Negotiations Team (left to right): Mike Nichols, Floor Clerk (Shoes); Robert Sommers, Receiving Clerk; Richard Drake, Receiving Clerk/Warehouse Contact; Shawn Price, Cashier/Person In Charge (not pictured)

Mason Health Diagnostic Imaging - Rad Tech Aide Position Changes Vote

Mason Health Diagnostic Imaging
Rad Tech Aide Position Changes Vote

Currently the Mason Health Diagnostic Imaging department utilizes the position of Rad Tech Aide to assist patients and technicians during appointments, as well as the scheduling of all imaging appointments.

Mason Health has proposed creating two different positions:

• D.I. Scheduling Specialist

• Radiology Assistant

A vote on this change to the contract will be held for effected employees

Friday March 15, 2024 @ 9am-10am
Mason Health—Pershing Room, 901 Mountain View Dr., Shelton WA 98584

For additional Information, contact Union Rep Naomi Oligario @ 360-662-1989.

Stay in the loop! Update you contact information to get the latest news at: ufcw3000.org/update-your-information

Providence Sacred Heart (Technical) - CONTRACT REJECTED, STRIKE AUTHORIZED

Providence Sacred Heart - Technical
CONTRACT REJECTED, STRIKE AUTHORIZED

On March 1, Providence Sacred Heart Technical UFCW 3000 union members voted unanimously to reject the Employer’s last contract proposal and authorize a ULP strike.

After many long bargaining sessions with Providence Sacred Heart, the Bargaining Team felt that it was time to take a stand and let Management know that we are all standing together for a fair contract that has no takeaways to our benefits and addresses the sub-par wage scale that prevents us from recruiting and retaining quality staff and gives us the ability to provide adequate patient care to our community.

A Federal Mediator will be joining our next bargaining session on March 18, and we are hoping that we can get Providence to acknowledge the importance of recognizing that we are the HEART at Sacred Heart.

It is an unfair labor practice for Management to coerce members, to interfere in Union activities or change any working conditions. Please continue to advise our Bargaining Team or Union Rep if you believe your Manager has engaged in any type of this behavior.

A vote to authorize a strike is a collective stand for our rights and the well-being of our coworkers and communities. The prospect of a strike may be a last resort, but it is a powerful tool that can motivate change. It forces the Employer to reconsider their stance at the bargaining table and acknowledge our hard work and our commitment to our patients. Withholding our labor is one of the ultimate actions we can take to demonstrate our power in the workplace, show the Employer we are UNITED, and achieve our goal of a FAIR CONTRACT when no other methods have worked.

“I voted to strike simply because I feel disrespected by Providence. Costs have risen much faster than pay and the proposed cost-of-living adjustment will not cover half of the monthly increases that I have seen over the past couple of years. I cannot continue to fall behind because Providence will not offer a reasonable increase. Sacred Heart offers services that no one else in the region offers, yet Providence does not seem to care about the skill set needed to provide those services. I have observed several coworkers leave for more money in the same or lower priced areas of the county and have indicated that they have a better work life balance. Providence does not seem to care about these things. Without these adjustments, recruiting to fill vacancies is difficult if not impossible.” —Mark Kehoe, Pediatric Sonographer

Join us at the Spokane St. Patrick’s Day parade!

We will be marching in the Spokane to show our presence and hand out leaflets to members of our community. Bring your family, friends, and wear UFCW yellow.

Saturday, March 16 @ 11am
Flour Mill, 621 W Mallon Ave, Spokane, WA 99201

Please reach out to a Bargaining Team member or Union Rep Juanita Quezada @ 509- 340-7407 if you have questions or would like to get more involved in the fight for a fair contract.

MultiCare Health System Will MultiCare address our health insurance plan concerns?

“They basically showed us that our priorities are not their concern. We feel that we put a lot of thoughtful proposals on the table, and they were just unceremoniously rejected.” —Gregg Barney, Press Operator

Our Union Bargaining Team met with MultiCare on Friday, March 1 to continue negotiations with management on the nine contracts we’re represented in.

When it was the Employer’s time to respond to our evaluations and proposals over necessary changes to our health insurance benefits, it became clear that they had something else in mind entirely —rejecting all initial proposals made on the plan.

Our Bargaining Team has heard on countless occasions, from our union Bargaining Surveys and stories told by our coworkers, that our insurance benefits are not only one of our highest priorities in this round of negotiations —but one of the most consistently challenging aspects of being a MultiCare employee.

We work tirelessly every day to provide health care to our patients, why should we have to work even harder to seek health care for ourselves? Especially while being employed at one of the largest health care systems in Washington State.

While we feel disappointed that this is the response from the Employer, we know that one of the only ways forward is to stick together, and fight for what we deserve out of this process!

Sign the Unity Petition and stay up to date on all-things MultiCare bargaining ▸

Take action checklist:

• Sign up for a Contract Action Team meeting on March 5 & April 8

• Sign and share the petition, We Stand United for a Fair Contract at MultiCare

• Join the Facebook Group, MultiCare Workers United for a Fair Contract

Kaiser Permanente - PSP Victory!

Kaiser Permanente
PSP Victory!

As an Alliance, we pushed Kaiser to give higher PSPs and when we fight, we win.

For the Washington region, a full-time employee (having worked 1,800 hours) will receive $2,000 in your Performance Sharing Plan (PSP) bonus this year!

In 2023, we crushed the Affordability and Safety goals, yet didn’t meet the Quality and Service goals. With these PSP results and our region not meeting the financial gate, KP was only contractually obligated to pay each full-time member ~$750.

Yet we all know the region’s finances are not the fault of UFCW3000 members. With our below market wages, putting more money into PSP bonuses is the least KP can do. And because of our Wage Up! Staff Up! Partner Up! Campaign alongside our Affordability savings, KP said they’d pay $1,500 in our PSP bonus.

We responded to their $1,500 and said that’s not enough, and because we stood united and were quick to mobilize, we won more.

Washington, Colorado, and Mid-Atlantic regions—all regions that did not meet the financial gate—will be receiving $2,000.00 per member* which is over $5 million moved from Kaiser’s pockets and into those of its workers!

*If not a full-time, employee this amount with be pro-rated based on the number of hours worked last year

What to expect:

• March 15 paycheck: $1500 check (minus taxes)

• March 29 paycheck: $500 check (minus taxes)

For now, we celebrate our work to hold Kaiser accountable in doing the right thing, yet we know this doesn’t do what is needed: fix understaffing or raise wages.

Take action! Follow the links in the text below to:

>> Push Management for wage increases by signing our demand letter. >>

>> Organize our workplaces by attending steward training. >>

QUESTIONS? Reach out to Union Rep Lauren VanWormer @ 206-436-6584.

MultiCare Auburn Medical Center - Next chapter of bargaining

MultiCare Auburn Medical Center
Next Chapter of Bargaining

Our Bargaining Team: Pharmacist Brent Kirshenbaum, Social Worker Marci Pindi (standing in), and Mental Health Technician Ramona Strassburg

"We are excited to enter the next chapter of bargaining, as we have proposed all contact articles to MultiCare Management.” —Brent Kirshenbaum, Pharmacy

Our Bargaining Team has proposed all articles of contract language to the Employer, with the most recent including:

• Improved healthcare benefits

• Maintaining salaried positions for Social Workers

We ended our last bargaining session in February early in the day, as we continue to wait for MultiCare’s response to our wage proposal.

Our Bargaining Team is working diligently on your behalf and will continue to focus on securing the best contact possible including economics. Other bargaining dates that have been confirmed include March 7, 20, April 4 and 20; we will be requesting additional future bargaining dates from the Employer if necessary.

Throughout this negotiation process, we are committed to keeping you informed and engaged. We will schedule regular bargaining update meetings.

Join our next meeting to fight for a strong contract!

Thursday, March 21 @ 11am—1pm
Cascade Training Room

Engagement and involvement in this process are vital. Stay informed and stand together as a union demonstrates our collective strength. Our unified efforts and voices have the power to shape the future of MultiCare Auburn Medical Center.

Questions? Contact Union Rep Ian Jacobson @ 360-409-0587.

Providence Meal Waiver and Shift Length Changes

In December 2023, Providence issued a meal waiver to all members of the UFCW 3000 bargaining unit. As union members, we have the collective right to negotiate over the terms of this waiver. Earlier this year, we engaged in negotiations with Providence regarding the meal waiver language. Despite our reasonable proposal, Providence rejected our language. Furthermore, we informed Providence that, based on past practices and contractual agreements, they were not permitted to alter shift lengths.

However, in February 2024, Providence began informing members of their intention to implement changes to shift lengths. We believe Providence is sidestepping the bargaining process by unilaterally implementing these changes and acting in bad faith. Consequently, we are initiating unfair labor practice proceedings against Providence. We have issued a cease-and-desist letter to Providence and are demanding to return to the bargaining table to resolve this matter.

Given Providence's decision to proceed with extending shift lengths, we advise 10-hour and 12-hour shift workers to carefully consider their options. You may choose to accept an extended shift with two meal periods or opt to waive the second meal period and retain your current shift length. If you opt to waive the second meal period, you retain the right to revoke this decision at any time through your core leader.

However, we strongly advise against waiving the timing of your meal period, as you are entitled to 30 minutes of pay for late meal periods.

Question 1: I am voluntarily requesting to waive my second unpaid meal period if I am entitled to one.

Recommendation:
ACCEPT means your shift length will remain the same.
OR
DECLINE means your shift will be extended and you will receive two meal periods as a 10 hour and 12-hour shift worker.

Question 2: I am voluntarily requesting to take my unpaid meal periods at a time that may not be within hours two through five-hour block of work.

Recommendation:
DECLINE means if your meal period is not within the two-to-five-hour block then you should receive 30 minutes of pay. You can file a complaint with L&I if you are not paid accordingly.

Track your late meal periods here >>

Olympic Medical Home Health - Vote on Memorandum of Agreement

Olympic Medical Home Health
Vote on Memorandum of Agreement

Our Bargaining Team: Joseph Bridge, Danielle Green, Susan Montana, Sandra Villam

We have reached a tentative agreement with Olympic Home Health on a memorandum of agreement (MOA) which memorializes current law regarding union membership.

This addition constitutes a change to the current contract so will require a vote of Union Members. To vote, you must be an active Union Member in good standing.

Vote Details

Sequim
Monday, March 11 @ 8am-9:30am
777 N. 5th Ave, Suite 102, Sequim WA 93832

Port Angeles
Monday, March 11 @ 11:30am-1pm
Conference Room - 801 Front St, Suite D, Port Angeles WA 98362

Questions? Contact a Bargaining Team member or Union Rep Aimee Oien @ 360-662-1981.

Update Your Contact Info
ufcw3000.org/update-your-information

Olympic Medical Center Pro Tech Vote to Change Eligibility Time to Use Vacation Accruals

Olympic Medical Center Pro Tech

Vote to Change Eligibility Time to Use Vacation Accruals

We have a tentative agreement with OMC to shorten the number of months worked before employees are eligible to use accrued vacation.

This is a change to the current Pro Tech Contract so will require a vote of Union Members. Contract change votes scheduled:

Port Angeles: Monday, March 11, 2024 3:00pm-7:00pm

Olympic Medical Center in the Fairshter Meeting Room, 939 Caroline Street. Port Angeles, WA 98362

Sequim: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 8:00am-9:30am

Medical Services Building (MSB) in the Conference Room, 840 N 5th Avenue. Sequim, WA 98382

You must be a member in good standing to be eligible to vote.

If you have questions please contact Union Representative Aimee Oien at 360-662-1981

Make sure your personal contact information is up to date >>

Downtown Dog Lounge - Another negotiation session and petition delivery!

Downtown Dog Lounge
Another negotiation session and petition delivery!

Our Downtown Dog Lounge worker union Team met with Elise and her legal counsel on February 28 for another session. More back and forth on core issues such as application of seniority, protection from unjust layoffs to name a few.

Our Team also delivered our petition with super majority support, demanding quicker movement at the bargaining table. We look forward to meeting with Management again in March now that they’ve been reminded that we expect a fair contract!

As always the best place for information on the bargaining processes, contract information or anything union in general is our union Bargaining Team.

Harbors Home Health & Hospice - Things are heating up!

Harbors Home Health & Hospice
Things are heating up!

“When it comes to our hardworking staff at Harbors Home Health- it’s quality over quantity. We should be focused on keeping people here. Recruiting new employees is really only a band-aid if you can’t incentivize them to stay!” —Michal Bishop, LPN

We met with the Employer on February 26 and 27 to continue negotiations on our contract. On Monday, while presenting our economic proposal - we presented the petition which a supermajority signed (in just 2 weeks time)!

Harbors responded to this by finally coming to the table proposing an actual increase to our wages, along with an all-new wage scale. The Employer’s new scale, however, offers significantly less growth in wages over time than our current scale does. We’re glad to see the pressure we’ve applied has started to convince Harbors of just how valuable we are - but we won’t let up yet.

Join us at our next bargaining update meeting
Tuesday, March 19 @ 4pm-6pm

Grays Harbor County
Hoqiuam Timberland Library, 420 7th Street, Hoquiam WA, 98550

Pacific County
Harbors Home Health Office, 600 Pacific Avenue S, Suite 1, Long Beach, WA 98631

If you have any questions about bargaining, please contact one of our Bargaining Team members, or reach out to your Union Rep Naomi Oligario @ 360-662-1989.

Mason Health RN Contract Ratified!

Thank you to everyone who came out to vote on a new Union Contract Friday. The contract was approved by an overwhelming majority of Nurses and was ratified by the Hospital’s Board of Commissioners yesterday.

We appreciate our fantastic Bargaining Team who worked tirelessly to educate Management on the real issues and to help them understand that wages need to match Olympia hospitals to retain and recruit nurses.

For further information reach out to a Bargaining Team Member (Left to Right: Nancy Owenby, Megan Corbin, Tori Willis)

Macy's Check your check for the pay increases we won!

After two ULP strikes and months of fighting Macy’s proposed takeaways, we won a historic contract that protected MLK day as a paid day off, set the foundation for wage scales to not be eaten up by minimum wage, won the largest ratification bonus this cycle for Macy's workers, and secured stronger safety language in our contract!

Macy’s should not drag their feet on paying us the money we won! In past contract cycles it has taken Macy’s months to finally pay workers what we won in our contract. Last week Macy’s confirmed that our pay should be reflected on your next check dated March 1, 2024.  Make sure to check your check and confirm that you are getting your back pay, bonus and new pay rate. If you don't see it after Friday’s check, please contact the Member Resource Center at 1-866-210-3000 so they can add your name to the grievance we filed against Macy's last week for not paying us the money we won in a timely manner. 

Macy's contract and resource page >>