MultiCare Auburn Medical Center Professionals - First Contract Update - June 26, 2024

THINGS ARE HEATING UP!

Our Union bargaining committee met with the Employer, albeit virtually, for our first round of negotiations since May 22. After our previous bargaining date scheduled for May 29 was canceled by the Employer—we were beginning to feel very frustrated that any momentum we’d built up toward achieving our first ever union contract was going to be weakened. However—we spent the downtime digging into our priorities on things like:

• Safeguarding the protections afforded by union membership
• Articles on Medical, Family, and Military Leaves of Absence
• And most significantly, wages and health insurance benefits.

When we began our day at the bargaining table, we were curious what the exchange of proposals between parties would look like, especially because management has shown limited interest in many of our key priorities. Considering all of this, we left today’s bargaining session feeling cautiously optimistic that the momentum behind reaching an agreement with the Employer was better than ever! Management also clued us into their feelings about the highly attended informational picket your union held at Tacoma General Hospital, acknowledging its impact as loud and disruptive (just how we like it!). Ultimately, we’re glad to announce that we reached agreements with management on some long-outstanding contract articles and engaged in what we felt was productive dialogue about where the parties are at in this process.

With all of that said, we do want to make it clear that despite our agreements on various provisions of our contract with MultiCare, we are beginning to narrow down to our highest priorities, likely to be the most challenging part of our bargain so far…

For instance, our bargaining team was deeply concerned to hear MultiCare's proposal to introduce employees into our Union Wage Scale at a pay rate that closely mirrors their current one (with no pay decrease), rather than aligning compensation with our years of experience. Our experience as healthcare professionals not only defines our skill but also enables us to deliver the quality of care our patients deserve. Moreover, we strongly believe that this approach could adversely affect retention in our departments, especially when many other employers recognize and reward years of experience.

As we dig into health insurance benefits, wages, years of experience, and more; it is more important now than ever that we are showing our solidarity and strength TOGETHER to win a STRONG first union contract!

Join us at our next round of Contract Action meetings to learn how to stay involved and support your Union Bargaining Team!

July 10 (In-Person & via ZOOM)

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Auburn Medical Center – MOB Classroom

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Auburn Medical Center – Cascade Training Room

Multicare Health System - The Power Of Solidarity

For those of you who joined our Telephone Town Hall on the evening of June 27, you know that after our recent meeting with MultiCare to bargain our nine union contracts, we don’t have much to say other than we are fed up, and our patience is nearly exhausted.

We have spent months putting together proposals that we strongly believe address the workplace issues that matter most to us. We have communicated to MultiCare why competitive market wages and changes to the health insurance plan are so important, yet we feel that the Employer has failed to address the root of these issues.

However, following our informational picket earlier this month, it is evident that our collective power is beginning to shift the dynamic at the bargaining table. MultiCare has come to negotiations more willing to address some of the other issues, including an agreement to expand our bereavement leave, which management had previously shown little interest in. Nevertheless, we must apply additional pressure to secure the improvements we need on wages and benefits.

We are scheduled to continue negotiations with the Employer on July 8 and July 12. In the very near future, your Union Bargaining Committee will be announcing vote meetings to be scheduled after our bargaining date on the 12th.

Stay tuned for updates, and remember that it is our collective power that will win us strong contracts.

“It’s coming down to the wire, and we need your support. Wear your Union buttons & keep your solidarity strong.”

— Karen Towne, Medical Assistant @ Tacoma Family Medicine

Twin City Foods - Meet your union Bargaining team! ¡Conoce a tu equipo de negociación!

Last month we finalized our union bargaining team and had our first meeting where we audited the current contract, discussed top priorities based on the surveys that our members filled out, and started drafting proposals.

This will be the second union contract at Twin City Foods, and a great opportunity to build on and improve our first contract! It is more important than ever to be united, get involved, and support your bargaining team!

We have sent the company a request for dates to meet, and as we wait for official dates to begin, we will be holding another Contract Action Team meeting. These meetings are a great place to bring workplace issues, plan workplace actions, and get more detailed information.

Join us at the next Contract Action Team meeting!

Wednesday, July 17 at the Pasco Public Library

1320 W Hopkins St, Pasco, WA

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM or 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM

If you have any questions, please call your Union Rep Odalys Gonzalez at (360) 409-0558.

El mes pasado finalizamos nuestro equipo de negociación de la Unión y tuvimos nuestra primera reunión donde auditamos el contrato actual, discutimos las prioridades basadas en los cuestionarios que miembros completaron, y comenzamos a trabajar en las propuestas.  

¡Este será el segundo contrato de la Unión en Twin City Foods, y una gran oportunidad para mejorar nuestro primer contrato! ¡Es más importante que nunca estar unidos, involucrarse en este proceso y apoyar a su equipo de negociación!  

Le hemos pedido fechas a la compañía, y mientras esperamos las fechas oficiales para comenzar, tendremos otra reunión del Equipo de Acción del Contrato. Estas reuniones son un excelente lugar para hablar sobre problemas en el trabajo, planificar acciones en el trabajo y obtener información más detallada. 

La próxima reunión del Equipo de Acción del Contrato!

Miércoles, 17 de julio en la Biblioteca Pública de Pasco 1320 W Hopkins St, Pasco, WA 

11:30 am - 2:00 pm o 3:30 pm – 6 pm  

Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llame a su Representante Odalys González al 360-409-0558. 

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REI - Temperatures Are Rising And So Is The Employer’s Tone

Our negotiations with REI’s attorneys on June 24 and 25 reiterated how important our first contract will be. One of REI’s proposals included removing all past practices from our store, including REDI meetings and Let’s Talks. We know how important these meetings have been to our coworkers, and REI’s attorneys are out of touch with what helps our store run well.

Throughout negotiations these past two days, REI’s attorneys’ questioning about proposals became an opportunity to grandstand against the union, raising their voices and badgering our negotiating committee with hypothetical questions. This is not the tone we want to set with our management team in the Bellingham store, but it is the tone REI’s corporate wants to set with their workers.

After refusing to respond to three proposals and asking for our committee to bargain against itself, we reintroduced a few proposals that have been blanket rejected before. Progress was made on the Anti-Discrimination & Harassment article, and we came to a tentative agreement on the Safety Committee article. Bottom line—we will reach a first contract with REI and bring democracy back to the co-op for customers and our coworkers.

We know progress at the bargaining table is tough, so the way that we move REI is through collective action! Join our meeting on July 21 via Zoom to discuss our plan to put REI through a Summer of Stress until they agree to join the table in good faith.

If you have any questions, reach out to your union rep Dominick Ojeda at (360) 409-0595.

Our Bargaining Committee,
Left to Right: Sharon, Alex,
Not Pictured: Sue, Tini, Dan

LabCorp - Contract Ratified!

Our Union Bargaining Team is excited to share that with more than 60% turnout, our members overwhelmingly voted YES to ratify our new contract yesterday!

This contract includes higher wages for every position, the elimination of ghost steps, 401k improvements, and expanded benefits plans starting in 2025. We’re proud that our unit came together to help raise the bar for laboratory professionals.

The $750 ratification bonus and new wage rates take effect on the second full pay period after ratification (early August). More information about the changes and how to make the most out of the new benefits plan to follow. The new wage scale, benefits plan summary, and the full redline agreement will continue to be available for members to access on our website.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Rep Christie Harris at (360) 409-0620.

“We know that the fight doesn’t end here. Let’s use our momentum to continue to learn about our rights, enforce our contract, and build our union power!”

—Debby Gibby, Bargaining Team member & Senior Lab Assistant

Still fired up? Sign up for Steward or Leaders in Action trainings!

Be sure to check out our website for upcoming community events, member meetings, training opportunities, and union benefits programs.

Service Linen Contract Ratified! ¡Contrato De Service Linen Ratificado! Hợp Đồng Service Linen Được Phê Duyệt!

We are happy to announce that the recommended tentative agreement, reached by our union bargaining committee, has been approved by an overwhelming majority of members!
The new contract, effective immediately and lasting for three years, brings several key benefits:

• Yearly wage increases
• Longevity bonuses that recognize employees for their years of service
• Flexible scheduling (working up to 10 hours at straight time) changed from 3 days to 2 days
• Increased contribution by the employer for health insurance in 2025 & 2026
• Union leave for up to 9 months for union-related activities

Thank you to all our members who participated in the voting process.
For any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Union Representative Jose Veliz at 360-409-0615

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¡Nos alegra anunciar que el acuerdo tentativo recomendado, alcanzado por nuestro comité de negociación de la Unión, ha sido aprobado por una mayoría de miembros!
El nuevo contrato, efectivo de inmediato y con una duración de tres años, trae varios beneficios clave:

• Aumentos salariales anuales
• Bonos de longevidad que reconocen a los empleados por sus años de servicio
• Horario flexible (trabajando hasta 10 horas a tiempo regular) cambiado de 3 días a 2 días
• Aumento la contribución del empleador para el seguro de salud en 2025 y 2026
• Permiso de ausencia de hasta 9 meses para actividades relacionadas con la Unión

Gracias a todos nuestros miembros que participaron en el proceso de votación.
Para cualquier pregunta o inquietud, comuníquese con su Representante de la Unión, José Veliz al 360-409-0615.

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Chúng tôi rất vui mừng thông báo rằng thỏa thuận tạm thời được đề xuất, đạt được bởi ủy ban thương lượng của công đoàn, đã được phê chuẩn bởi đa số thành viên!
Hợp đồng mới, có hiệu lực ngay lập tức và kéo dài trong ba năm, mang lại một số lợi ích chính:

• Tăng lương hàng năm
• Tiền thưởng thâm niên công nhận nhân viên vì những năm phục vụ của họ
• Lịch làm việc linh hoạt (làm việc lên đến 10 giờ trong thời gian cố định) thay đổi từ 3 ngày xuống còn 2 ngày
• Tăng đóng góp của người sử dụng lao động cho bảo hiểm y tế vào năm 2025 và 2026
• Nghỉ phép công đoàn lên đến 9 tháng cho các hoạt động liên quan đến Union

Cảm ơn tất cả các thành viên đã tham gia vào quá trình bỏ phiếu.
Nếu có bất kỳ câu hỏi hoặc thắc mắc nào, vui lòng liên hệ với Đại diện Công đoàn của bạn, Jose Veliz, theo số 360-409-0615.

Superior Linen Contract Ratified! ¡Contrato De Superior Linen Ratificado! Hợp Đồng Superior Linen Được Phê Duyệt!

We are happy to announce that the recommended tentative agreement, reached by our union bargaining committee, has been approved by an overwhelming majority of members!
The new contract, effective immediately and lasting for three years, brings several key benefits:

• Yearly wage increases
• Additional wage increases that recognize longevity
• New lead pay
• Eligible for the additional floating holiday after 10 years of service instead of 15 years
• Increased the first break time to 15 minutes
• Introduction of new language allowing the union steward to meet with new employees on paid time to provide information about the union
• Increased contribution by the employer for health insurance in 2025 & 2026
• Union leave for up to 9 months for union-related activities

Thank you to all our members who participated in the voting process.
For any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Union Representative Jose Veliz at 360-409-0615

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¡Nos alegra anunciar que el acuerdo tentativo recomendado, alcanzado por nuestro comité de negociación de la Union, ha sido aprobado por una mayoría de miembros!
El nuevo contrato, efectivo de inmediato y con una duración de tres años, trae varios beneficios clave:

• Aumentos salariales anuales
• Aumentos adicionales de longevidad que reconocen a los empleados por sus años de servicio
• Nuevo pago de líder
• Elegible para el día festivo flotante adicional después de 10 años de servicio en lugar de 15 años
• El primer descanso aumento a 15 minutos
• Los nuevos empleados podrán reunirse con el delegado de la Unión en tiempo pagado para recibir información sobre la Unión
• Aumento la contribución del empleador para el seguro de salud en 2025 y 2026
• Permiso de ausencia de hasta 9 meses para actividades relacionadas con la Unión

Gracias a todos nuestros miembros que participaron en el proceso de votación.
Para cualquier pregunta o inquietud, comuníquese con su Representante de la Union, José Veliz al 360-409-0615.

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Chúng tôi rất vui mừng thông báo rằng thỏa thuận tạm thời được đề xuất, đạt được bởi ủy ban thương lượng của công đoàn, đã được phê chuẩn bởi đa số thành viên!
Hợp đồng mới, có hiệu lực ngay lập tức và kéo dài trong ba năm, mang lại một số lợi ích chính:

• Tăng lương hàng năm
• Thêm vào đó là việc tăng lương nhằm công nhận thâm niên
• Tiền lương lãnh đạo mới
• Đủ điều kiện để có ngày nghỉ phép linh hoạt bổ sung sau 10 năm phục vụ thay vì sau 15 năm
• Tăng thời gian nghỉ giải lao lần đầu lên 15 phút
• Giới thiệu ngôn ngữ mới cho phép đại diện Union gặp gỡ các nhân viên mới trong thời gian được trả lương để cung cấp thông tin về Union
• Tăng đóng góp của người sử dụng lao động cho bảo hiểm y tế vào năm 2025 và 2026
• Nghỉ phép công đoàn lên đến 9 tháng cho các hoạt động liên quan đến Union

Cảm ơn tất cả các thành viên đã tham gia vào quá trình bỏ phiếu.
Nếu có bất kỳ câu hỏi hoặc thắc mắc nào, vui lòng liên hệ với Đại diện Công đoàn của bạn, Jose Veliz, theo số 360-409-0615.

Conifer St. Michael Medical Center Bargaining Update

On June 6, 2024, our opening letter requesting bargaining dates with Conifer Revenue Cycle Solutions was sent. On June 13, Local 3000 received a response from Conifer saying that the Employer considers “this request to be overly premature”, and that “Conifer does not understand the reasons for beginning negotiations so early”. Well, it is because we are hoping to secure a new Collective Bargaining Agreement as soon as we can! As such, we were not able to set bargaining dates in June or July, but have secured August 28 for our first day of bargaining. Meanwhile, we do have a request out for September bargaining dates and look forward to getting to the bargaining table. As stated in our previous update, the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires October 31, 2024.

Union Representative Ryan Degouveia has assembled a Bargaining Team of our coworkers and we will be holding an open virtual meeting for all workers at Conifer St. Michael on June 25 between 5:30PM and 6:30PM. We hope to have an open and frank conversation about folks’ top priorities. As our Silverdale office is in the process of moving, this will be online-only via Zoom. Details will be forthcoming via text message very soon!

Should you have any questions or wish to be involved in building workplace solidarity to win a strong contract, Union Representative Ryan Degouveia can be reached at 360-662-1982.

Make sure your personal contact information is up to date so you don’t miss important bargaining information and union benefits!

Update your information here >>

Kaiser Permanente Pro Tech, Optical, & Pharmacy: Wage Increases Coming Soon!

Hooray! Wage Increases in Upcoming Paychecks

Kaiser UFCW 3000 membership ratified historic mid-contract wage increases for all members on April 19. Management gave word that those increases have been processed in HRConnect and we anticipate your new wage to be in your next paycheck coming on 6/21/2024.

Please note: The retroactive pay will not be on this same paycheck. The retroactive pay for all hours worked (from the effective date until now) will be coming in either of the the next two pay periods: 7/5/24 or 7/19/24.

The wage increases ranged from 5% to 9% depending on job classification. To understand your new wage, multiply your current wage by 1.05, 1.06, or 1.09:

e.g. $30.00 x 1.05 = $31.50
       $25.60 x 1.09 = $27.90

Please reach out to your Union Representative or Contract Specialist with any questions or concerns!

Contract and rep information:

• Pro-Tech & Optical

• Pharmacy Contract & Rep

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Send them to update the contact information we have on file here.

PRMCE Update on Inpatient Rehab Closure

On June 13 and 14, we met with the PRMCE Management team to discuss the closure of the inpatient rehab unit and negotiate over the effects of this decision. During this meeting, Providence informed us that they plan to officially close the unit sometime in mid-October 2024. The current plan is to retain all PRMCE inpatient rehab employees until the official closure date. Employees who have accepted a position at the new rehabilitation facility in Lynnwood (Lifepoint/Providence Swedish Rehabilitation Unit) will transition to the new location after the PRMCE unit closes.

Throughout our discussions, it became clear that Providence and Lifepoint’s plans are still evolving. However, it appears they are committed to securing positions for all interested inpatient rehab caregivers and are negotiating with Lifepoint on wages and benefits. Providence confirmed that Lifepoint will match the current inpatient rehab caregivers’ wage rates, PTO accruals, continuing education funds, tuition reimbursement, and hire dates.

We also requested that Providence ask Lifepoint to delay the job offer acceptance deadline of June 21st, but Providence stated that Lifepoint cannot extend this date. We recommend that each caregiver make their own decision regarding the job offer from Lifepoint based on their personal circumstances. If you do not accept a position at Lifepoint now, we are unsure if a position will be available for you in the future. Nonetheless, all Pro, Technical, and RN bargaining unit members have the option to take a vacant position at the Colby Campus using the bumping language in their contracts.

Moreover, we presented a severance proposal that included PTO/EIB cashout and other benefits for all laid-off employees, but Providence rejected this proposal. We will likely be meeting with them again soon to present a counterproposal.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your bargaining team or union representatives, Jack Crow at 206-436-6614 or Anthony Cantu at 206-436-6566.

Our union Bargaining Team: Mary Brown, Daudette Catey, Allison Axelrod, Jane Warner, and Debbie Stevens