Providence St. Peter Hospital Professionals - Bargaining Update

On Tuesday, November 4, our Professionals Bargaining Team met with management for the seventh session of union contract negotiations.

At Wednesday's session, we continued the productive exchange of the remaining sections of our contract, reaching a handful of new agreements including language around Per Diem workers (more specifically regarding the wage differential in lieu of retirement and health care benefits), increased job protections for workers facing layoffs or workforce reductions, outlining the order in which workers will be placed on low census, and we even reached agreement on a handful of position's wages!

While progress was significant for a number of newly represented positions at PSPH, there were also a couple of positions whose Employer-proposed rates we strongly felt did not meet the wages that nearby Union professionals are earning. As such, our team continued to hold firm that Providence increase these scales to reduce staffing shortages and to meet the demand of the highly competitive market. As such, our team felt that it was beneficial to provide management with the wage scales we're referencing to inform our position. While we did not receive management's response to our proposal before negotiations concluded for the day, we are dedicated to making sure all Professionals at Providence St. Peter Hospital are paid fairly for the lifesaving work we perform every day.

We're looking forward to hearing back from Providence on Monday, November 10—when we are scheduled to be back at the table!

If you have questions about ongoing first contract negotiations, please reach out to a member of our Union Bargaining Team or call our Union Rep Madison Derksema at (206) 436-6603.

Bargaining Team: Rita Palmquist, Case Manager MSW; Elise Steinmetz, Physical Therapist; Sydney Lobdell, Dietitian; Kristine Pepper, Clinical Pharmacist; Brenda Arend, Speech Language Pathologist; Diana Herr, Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist

Kaiser Permanente Pharmacy - Bargaining Update

We are still bargaining nationally over wages. Although KP nationally has proposed wage increases that bring some positions closer to other Washington Employers, we are still fighting for wage equity for ALL workers.

Locally, we continue to bargain over market increases, which allows for consideration of jobs that have fallen below the market. KPWA management has made it clear that they are not considering what other health care competitors are paying when making proposals. Instead, they want to wait and see if there is a future problem hiring certain job classifications and may consider paying higher wages. NOT RESPECTFUL!

Kaiser is proposing that all wage adjustments, differentials, and premiums be effective the first full pay period 120 days after ratification. This means that increases would not go into effect until at least April. NOT ACCEPTABLE!

Kaiser just officially announced that Capitol Hill is expanding their hospital services and will be doing more acute care. We anticipate that this means higher acuity patients and more surgeries, in addition to workflow changes for many positions that fall under the Pro Tech/Optical and Pharmacy contracts. We have been asking for information regarding these changes for several months and Kaiser has just officially notified us. NOT PARTNERSHIP!

KAISER—FOLLOW THE VALUE COMPASS. BE THE BEST PLACE TO WORK

For additional information contact a Bargaining Team member or:

Aisha Womack Union Rep 206-436-6584

JJ Benson Contract Specialist 425-306-1357

Lenaya Wilhelm Union Rep Spokane 509-340-7369

If someone you know isn't getting updates: Update Your Information >>

Bargaining Team: Cesar Galloso, Jason Lindquist, Kay Halverson, JJ Benson, Krystal Krotzer, Mark Stewart

Kaiser Permanente Pro Tech Optical - Bargaining Update

We are still bargaining nationally over wages. Although KP nationally has proposed wage increases that bring some positions closer to other Washington Employers, we are still fighting for wage equity for ALL workers.

Locally, we continue to bargain over market increases, which allows for consideration of jobs that have fallen below the market. KPWA management has made it clear that they are not considering what other health care competitors are paying when making proposals. Instead, they want to wait and see if there is a future problem hiring certain job classifications and may consider paying higher wages. NOT RESPECTFUL!

Kaiser is proposing that all wage adjustments, differentials, and premiums be effective the first full pay period 120 days after ratification. This means that increases would not go into effect until at least April. NOT ACCEPTABLE!

Kaiser just officially announced that Capitol Hill is expanding their hospital services and will be doing more acute care. We anticipate that this means higher acuity patients and more surgeries, in addition to workflow changes for many positions that fall under the Pro Tech/Optical and Pharmacy contracts. We have been asking for information regarding these changes for several months, and Kaiser has just officially notified us. NOT PARTNERSHIP!

HAVE YOU FILLED OUT THE STRIKE PLEDGE CARD? >>

For additional information, contact a Bargaining Team member or:

• Aisha Womack, Union Rep: 206-436-6584

• JJ Benson, Contract Specialist: 425-306-1357

If someone you know isn't getting updates: Update Your Information >>

Pro Tech Optical Bargaining Team: Nicole Merriam, Sarah Lau, Ashleigh Aufort, Chandra Allen, Vicki Kobeski, Juli Bell, Bryana Kolppa

Skagit Regional Health - Creating a Better Future for All SRH Workers

Skagit Regional Health

Creating a Better Future for All SRH Workers

Bargaining Team: Marilyn Faber, Union Rep; Cindy Tjaden; Isabel Contreras; Kalisa Dolph; Britney Myers-Fuller; Ashley Price; Briana Hovsepian; Graydon Hingey; Michael Koenig; Annalise Pasillas; Elizabeth Mayor; Alina Delano; Micheal Schwartz

On October 24, we met with the Employer briefly and drafted the plan for the subsequent bargaining sessions. We will have a private meeting on October 30 to put together all the economic proposals. On November 6, we will present all the economic proposals to the Employer. This is the stage where we need to act together and show the Employer that we are committed to fighting for a contract that will carry all the benefits we deserve. If the SRH CEO does not have financial concerns about making ends meet, we shall not have that concern either. They have heard our committee over and over that we are striving for fair adjustments to all the contract language.

The Employer has inquired about an MOU on the tentative agreed-upon new language regarding Meals and Breaks, and has spread false statements that our Union is holding this matter. We have maintained our position that any tentative agreements are not official until the whole membership has had an opportunity to ratify the new contract.

On November 6, for the first time, the Employer is coming to our house to have the bargaining session. This is a healthier step towards building a stronger relationship and ensuring the pillars for a better future. We appreciate that the Employer has taken this initiative, and we hope this is a game-changer on our path to a better future.

Some Tentative Agreements Reached Include:

• Beginning bargaining sessions 90 days prior to expiration

• Language that will make us a stronger Union, with access to the right information

• Modified language to acknowledge Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• Improved language that will allow Shop Stewards to carry out their duties around the hospital and clinics

• Workers will have access to their CBA through the hospital intranet

• Language to bargain over job descriptions changes

• Language to protect workers going through immigration

• An email from the Employer acknowledges that the discipline has been removed and is no longer considered

Our subsequent bargaining sessions will be on November 6 and 14. There are possibilities of more bargaining days in December (if necessary); we will let you know in the next bargaining update. We encourage all members to keep wearing your Union colors in the workplace and join us for our CAT (Contract Action Team) meetings.

Contract Action Team Meetings

• November 10

• 6pm - 7pm

• UFCW 3000 Union Hall

• 1510 N 18th St

• Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Moving forward, CAT meetings will be every other Monday until the contract is ratified, same time, same location unless otherwise noted: November 24, December 8, December 22, etc.

“Narrowing our non-economics down so that we can prioritize economics”

— Ashley Price

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”

— Abraham Lincoln

If you have questions or would like to get more involved in organizing a fair contract, please reach out to your Union Rep, Marilyn Faber, at 1-866-210-3000, EXT. 4678.

Providence Sacred Heart Service and Maintenance - Bargaining Update

Bargaining Team: Kaye Balk, Registrar; Michael McDonald, ED Tech; Patty Martin, Financial Counselor; Nathan Burfeindt, Warehouse; Jessica Marvin, CNA II; Delia Acosta, Transport; Dawn Finley, Lab Assistant; Trevor Ford, Ambassador; Margaret Lauricella, Monitor Tech; Melissa Pringle, Sterile Processing

On October 28, our Bargaining Team met for the second time with management. We have made agreements on an additional holiday, increase in education, staffing, and updated language. Our team spent time working on economic proposals and we will be presenting these to the Employer at bargaining on November 4.

We want to hear your voices, so we hope you can attend the Contract Action Team Meeting tonight, October 29 at the UFCW 3000 office. If you are not able to attend tonight’s meeting, please attend the General Membership meetings on November 5 at the Spokane office!

Contract Action Team Meeting

October 29

5:30pm - 6:30pm

UFCW 3000 Office

2805 N Market St

Spokane, WA 99207

General Membership Meeting

November 5

8am, 1pm and 5pm

UFCW 3000 Spokane Office

2805 N Market St

Spokane, WA 99207

If you have questions or would like to get more involved in organizing a fair contract, please reach out to your Union Rep, Lenaya Wilhelm, at 360-409-0556.

“Informative.”

— Kaye Balk

“A long beginning, to continue to pray for success.”

— Patty Martin

“Bargaining was interesting, I think it went okay.”

— Delia Acosta

Cascade Valley Hospital - Bargaining Begins!

Bargaining Team: Tia Hafner, Access/Patient Registrar; Carl Ramirez, Security Guard/Security; Calley O’harra, ER Tech; Bruce Le, Union Rep; Cesar R Quiles-Borrero, Bargainer

On Thursday, October 23, we held our first joint bargaining session with the Employer.

We have introduced a set of non-economic proposals aimed at improving the quality of our jobs at Cascade Valley Hospital. The Employer proposed changes that the committee is evaluating, and we will provide an answer at the next bargaining session, which is scheduled for November 7.

Next Bargaining Sessions: November 7 and November 19. Stay alert for further news about how this negotiation is going.

If you have questions or would like to get more involved in organizing a fair contract, please reach out to your Union Rep, Bruce Le, at 1-866-210-3000, ext. 6614.

Join the Contract Action Team (CAT) Meeting via Zoom!

Friday, October 31 @ 6pm

Wenatchee Regional Eye Clinic - Bargaining Update

On October 22, our team met with the Employer and reviewed the Employer's economic proposal. We have responded and sent our proposal for their consideration. We are optimistic about reaching a tentative agreement for your vote soon. Let's show our unity and solidarity by wearing our UFCW 3000 buttons on November 6!

Bargaining Team: Martin Hernandez, Sarah Edwards, Cirri Cornelius

What's Next

Thursday November 6: Wear your UFCW 3000 button. Please reach out to one of your Bargaining Team members to get your button.

Send your solidarity photos to your Union Rep. We'll share them on the next update and the website!

Next Bargaining Sessions

• Monday November 10

• Monday November 17

How to Get Involved in Your Union

• Steward Training: How to Represent Co-Workers in Investigatory Meetings (Online) >>

• Intro Shop Steward Training (Online) >>

Update your information to ensure our team can send you all of the updates!

If you have questions, please reach out to your Bargaining Team or Union Rep, Becky Latzel, at (509) 340-7370.

Kaiser Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy - Bargaining Update

Kaiser Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy
Bargaining Update

Thank you for attending our Contract Action Meeting this week. It was good to hear from you and share more information about what's been happening in both local and national bargaining. We will let you know when we have information on another meeting.

Before we met with you Wednesday night, both the Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy teams met with Kaiser and bargained over market increases. These increases are specifically meant for positions that are not in line with other local health care providers. Market increases should be competitive, so Kaiser can hire workers. When Kaiser doesn't pay competitive wages, we all work harder to cover for unfilled positions.

We also bargained over how and when increases might be implemented. We do not currently have any agreement on the implementation dates for increases, but will continue discussions and advocating for timely implementation of all contractual economic improvements.

We are working towards a contract that is sustainable and encourages people to want to continue working with Kaiser.

Kaiser: Make a Commitment to Fair Wages!

We are scheduled to continue bargaining the National Agreement October 28-29 as well as working on the Pharmacy and Pro Tech Optical contracts.

For additional information contact a Bargaining Team member or:

Aisha Womack 206-436-6584 Union Rep

JJ Benson 425-306-1357 Contract Specialist

If someone you know isn't getting updates: Update Your Information >>

Pro Tech Optical Bargaining Team: Nicole Merriam, Sarah Lau, Ashleigh Aufort, Chandra Allen, Vicki Kobeski, Juli Bell, Bryana Kolppa

Pharmacy Bargaining Team: Cesar Galloso, Jason Lindquist, Kay Halverson, JJ Benson, Krystal Krotzer, Mark Stewart

Providence Sacred Heart Service and Maintenance - Bargaining Begins

Providence Sacred Heart Service and Maintenance

Bargaining Begins

Our Union Bargaining Team: Kaye Balk, Registrar; Michael McDonald, ED Tech; Patty Martin, Financial Counselor; Nathan Burfeindt, Distribution; Lenaya Wilhelm, Union Rep; Margaret Lauricella, Monitor Tech; Melissa Pringle, Sterile Processing; Cesar Quiles Borrero, Union Bargainer; Trevor Ford, Ambassador; Dawn Finley, Lab Assistant; Jessica Marvin, CNA; Delia Acosta, Transport

On October 21 the Bargaining Team met for the first time with management. During the first bargaining meeting, we presented a number of non-economic proposals at the bargaining table. Those included staffing, rest and meal breaks, training, and a number of other items. Our subsequent bargaining dates will be on October 28, November 4, and November 12 when we expect to see economic proposals from both sides.

Now is the time to get involved and be a part of the process by joining us at the Contract Action Team Meeting.

Contract Action Team Meeting

• October 29

• 5:30pm - 6:30pm

• UFCW 3000 Office

• 2805 N Market St

• Spokane, WA 99207

“First bargaining session down—respectful dialogue, strong start, ready to work towards what we deserve.”

— Jessica Marvin

“It’s been a great experience to start working through bargaining with my fellow co-workers.”

— Margaret Lauricella

“Today was hopeful, I am optimistic for the future here.”

— Trevor Ford

“Improvement is a long arduous journey. We are on our way.”

— Nathan Burfeindt

If you have questions or would like to get more involved in organizing a fair contract, please reach out to your Union Rep, Lenaya Wilhelm, at 360-409-0556.