Forks Community Hospital RNs - Bargaining Update

Forks Community Hospital RNs
Bargaining Update

Bargaining Session #2: April 28 and April 29

Our sessions on April 28 and April 29 were relatively productive. We are continuing to work with management to retain and improve our contract, but we are still facing challenges. Despite reaching a decent amount of tentative agreeements, management has proposed increases to our health care plan premiums, changes to other benefits, and new cost-cutting proposals that work against our interests. We need to move forward, yet management is trying to take steps backward with takeaways.

What We’ve Won So Far

• Removed management’s ability to reopen economics mid-cycle.

• Workers do not have to use minute-to-minute PTO to make up for leaving early.

• Workers will be paid for any incremental overtime, with all applicable premiums included.

Areas of Concern

• 3.1 Union Access — management is trying to restrict our Union Rep’s access to us at work.

• 9.10 Multi-Competency Premium — management is adding hoops to jump through to retain this premium.

• 12.2 Worker Discount — management wants to reduce the discount by limiting it to the patient responsibility portion of the bill instead of the total bill, which is the current practice.

• Proposed increases in premiums for all health care plans, including for individuals.

Please join us at Pacific Pizza on Thursday, May 14 from 3pm to 5pm for an informational meeting about the proposals, what we are fighting to improve, and what management wants to take away from us. Food may be available.

Contract Action Team Meeting

May 14
3pm - 5pm
Pacific Pizza
870 S Forks Ave
Forks, WA 98331

EvergreenHealth Kirkland - Bargaining Team Holds Firm on Member Priorities

Our Bargaining Team met with management and continued working through proposals that reflect the priorities members have been raising. While there was some movement at the table, management has not shown interest in many of the proposals the team has brought forward.

Our team came prepared and focused on presenting a meaningful and equitable proposal. We continue to hold firm on the issues members have said are important, including standby, callback, rest between shifts, year-for-year experience, and fair and equitable raises for everyone.

"We are really focused on giving management what we believe is a meaningful and equitable proposal. They are not interested in a lot of what we are suggesting, but we are holding firm on the things we know are important to our members, including standby, callback, and rest between shifts. Management may think we can wrap this up in the next session, but we are still far apart on key issues."

— Anna Hennager

Tentative Agreements Reached

• Access to personnel files at any time

• Expanded Union Steward leave

• Agreement on overtime language related to the timekeeping system

These agreements are important steps forward, but there is still more work to do.

What We Are Still Fighting For

• Year-for-year experience recognition

• Strong standby and callback language

• Rest between shifts protections

• Fair and equitable wage increases for everyone

Contract Action Team Meeting

May 28
5pm - 6pm
Tan 134

Members are encouraged to attend the next Contract Action Team meeting. This is an important opportunity to stay informed, talk through next steps, and make sure members are ready to support the Bargaining Team as negotiations continue.

Management may be optimistic about wrapping things up quickly, but the Bargaining Team knows there are still major issues on the table. Now is the time for us to stay united, stay engaged, and show support for our team as we continue fighting for a fair contract that respects Evergreen Kirkland workers.