Northwest Center - in the Right Direction

Northwest Center
Steps in the Right Direction

We spent the bargaining session on May 17 discussing in depth some of the most important priorities of early supports: caseloads, the right to remote work, geographic location assignments, and onboarding and mentorship.

Northwest Center struck down our language around remote work and geographic assignments and we highlighted that this is a major priority for Union members. The back-and-forth conversation showed us that we do have some shared interests with Northwest Center, but to win the language we want around these topics, we are going to need to show solidarity and take action together.

Our Bargaining Team pushed for clarity around the financial future of Northwest Center. Early Supports Leadership assured us that they are NOT for sale and have no plans to sell in the future. They were not willing to provide any details regarding the purpose of the meeting on Wednesday, May 24. We requested that our Union Rep Ian Jacobson be included in the meeting.

Bargaining resumes in June and we will continue conversations about caseloads and remote work. Our team will be meeting with SEIU Early Learning Union members to support one another in our fights for fair first contracts. Stay tuned for information on next steps and solidarity actions!

“We are excited about the progress we made with Onboarding, Orientation, and Mentorship Program. Our team spent a lot of time crafting these proposals and Management responded positively to our ideas. There is still more work to be done, but language is moving in the right direction.”

- Our Northwest Center
UFCW 3000 Bargaining Team
Jenica Barrett, Speech Language Pathologist; Cassie Villarreal, Speech Language Pathologist; Kimmy Burns, Physical Therapist; Julia Szilard, Physical Therapist (not pictured)

Join your coworkers for the next Contract Action Team meeting on Zoom!
Monday, May 22 @ 12:30—1:30pm

Contact Bargaining Team or Union Rep for meeting details

Read our Join Solidarity Statement with SEIU 925 at:
bit.ly/NWC-Solidarity23

For questions or to get more involved, contact your Bargaining Team Stewards or Union Rep Ian Jacobson, 206-436-6550.

Tri-Cities Community Health RNs Bargaining Continues

Our Union Bargaining Team has finished an additional three sessions since last week. We have been able to get tentative agreements on most of our new contract which include; a grievance process, seniority language, improved working conditions secure union representation and membership but will continue to work on compensation and protect the benefits we currently have.

“We continue to work hard on behalf of our co-workers to make sure that we secure a contract that will be a solid foundation for building on in the future.” — Karen Engel RN, Auburn campus

“We are securing and locking in language in many areas, but we still have to work hard to come to an agreement on wages.” — Hilda Torres RN, 515 Court St. campus.

Our next bargaining session will be June 6, 2023. Please reach out to one of our Bargaining Team Members or our Union Rep. Juanita Quezada at 509-340-7407 with any questions or concerns.

Sunrise Dental TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED!

Our Union Bargaining Team has reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract and are recommending a yes vote! We are excited to announce that the new agreement includes:

• Wage increases each year of the agreement

• $900 Bonus

• One additional Personal Holiday

• Increased Employer 401K contribution

Full details of the contract offer will be available during the online vote:

Online Contract Vote: May 31 from 5am-5pm

You will receive an email from UFCW 3000 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information. All members in good standing are eligible to vote.

TO VOTE ONLINE Make sure your information is up to date!

In order to vote on proposals, make sure your personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email please visit: ufcw3000.org/update-your-information to update your email or us.

If you do not receive an email to vote on May 31, please reach out to your Union Representative to provide an updated email address.

• Charlie King (Bonney Lake, Olympia, Puyallup, Tacoma, Federal Way, Lakewood) 206-436-6518

• Christie Harris (Auburn, Covington, Kent, Maple Valley, Renton, Seatac/Seattle, Tukwila/Southcenter, Bothell/Mill Creek, Everett, Marysville, Monroe, Shoreline, Ballard, Bellevue, Carnation, Issaquah, Redmond) 206-436-6606

• Naomi Oligario (Gig Harbor, Sequim, Poulsbo, Silverdale) 360-662-1989

• Celia Ponce-Sanchez (Lynnwood, Arlington) 360-419-4678

JOIN THE VOTE INFORMATION MEETING! May 30 Drop in 11am-1pm or 4-6pm.

It is so important that members attend the Zoom Meeting to get a full understanding of the Employer’s offer and have your questions answered. 1-253-215-8782 use Meeting ID: 876 4159 3675 Passcode: 899349 Or scan the QR Code to go to the zoom meeting.

UFCW 3000 & SEIU 925: Solidarity with Northwest Center Union Members!

Early Supports union members with UFCW 3000 bargained yesterday with local nonprofit employer Northwest Center (NWC), and the Early Learning workers at NWC who recently organized with SEIU 925 are standing in support and solidarity for a fair contract!

Workers at Northwest Center, whose “Big Blue Trucks” have been seen around the Northwest for more than 50 years, offer therapy, early education, employment services, and advocacy opportunities for people of all ages with disabilities. At Northwest Center Kids, Early Supports workers provide birth to three therapy services, and Early Learning workers run two inclusive childcare centers in Seattle. In both departments, organizing a union is about more than wages and benefits—it’s also about ensuring the best possible environment for all kiddos and clients.

“We both value the care we’re providing to children, and speaking up collectively about the changes that need to be made is powerful! The challenges we face span across our departments and so we’re excited to stand together in solidarity as we both fight towards first contracts that meet our needs and the needs of the families we serve!”

– UFCW 3000 Bargaining Team: Jenica Barrett, Speech Language Pathologist; Cassie Villarreal, Speech Language Pathologist; Kimmy Burns, Physical Therapist; Julia Szilard, Physical Therapist

NWC Early Supports became the first agency of its kind in Washington State to unionize, and one of the first in the country. Since few workplaces like theirs are unionized, these new members—physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, infant mental health therapists, family resource coordinators, dietitians, special educators, and administrative staff—are excited to help set historic workplace standards. The early childhood educators, custodians, kitchen staff, and specialists at NWC Early Learning just won their union this month, and can’t wait to get started on the process of coming together to bargain with the employer for their contract as well.

Working together, our two unions comprise more than 67,000 workers across the region, with members in early learning, health care, nonprofits, education, and many other industries. We bring the experience, solidarity, and power of all our members to the bargaining table and look forward to working together for equitable contracts at NWC!

Planned Parenthood: Bargaining Starts Soon - Get Involved Now!

You're likely already aware that our current contract was set to expire on June 1. We agreed to extend the contract by one month to the end of June to allow more time for negotiations. Your bargaining team will meet with PPGNHAIK leadership to bargain on May 24 and then again on June 6. As with bargaining sessions in the last decade, HR has been slow to agree to the many dates we have proposed. Their stalling tactics have only emboldened our team to become more united in our demands.  We look forward to getting these negotiations started and fighting for the contract we all deserve!

Meet Your Bargaining Team!

L to R: Michel Avery, Clinical Trainer - Monalisa Bauman, MA Certified - Alison DeBoise, Insurance Biller - Melissa Grindstaff, Patient Access Rep - Mollie Overby, Capacity Building Specialist

Get Involved

How can you help us win the contract we all deserve?​

1. Fill out the bargaining survey. Thank you to those who have already made your voice heard.

2. If you prefer to spell out concerns by phone or email, please reach out to Charlie at (206) 436-6518 or a union Shop Steward or Bargaining Team member.

3. Join a Thursday night Zoom check-in at 7pm and let us know what’s important to you.

4. PP Leadership has posted the GAHC Coordinator position, but is still vague on the timeline of the return of new patients.  If you have not already signed the petition demanding transparency on the GAH pause, please do so here.

5. Finally, let’s cheer on our fellow Planned Parenthood and UFCW Local 324 on filing for an election to unionize!

PRMCE Cardiovascular Techs - Online Vote Notice—Providence Everett Recognizes Years of Experience for Cardiovascular Techs!

Providence Everett has proposed to recognize each current cardiovascular techs’ years of experience as a radiology technologist. Current cardiovascular techs will be able to submit their years of experience as a radiology technologist to Human Resources after the vote on May 24, 2023.

By approving the letter of understanding, all current cardiovascular techs will receive credit for years of experience as a radiology technologist. Given this, cardiovascular techs who have radiology technologist experience will see a change to their wage step and a wage increase.

We are recommending a “YES” vote!

Online Vote will be held from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM on May 24.

To vote you must have an email on file with UFCW 3000. If you do not receive emails from UFCW 3000, please update your contact information or resubscribe to UFCW 3000 emails.

PRMCE DAY SIX BARGAINING UPDATE

PRMCE

DAY SIX BARGAINING UPDATE

Today our Nurse Bargaining Team stayed at the table until 10:30pm, and we were willing to negotiate all night working hard to ensure you get a contract that includes fair wages throughout the life of our contract, strong language around staffing to incentivize the hospital to prioritize safe staffing over profits. Providence continues to reject common sense language that will benefit the hospital and the community. Our Union Bargaining Team has prioritized creating a contract that focuses on recruiting and retaining staff, and now more than ever we need you to stand in solidarity with us and get ready to take Action!

Happy Nurses Week!

“We don’t cherry pick when it comes to patient safety”

— Trevor Gjendem

St. Michael Medical Center Service & Dietary - Tentative agreement reached - Vote scheduled

St. Michael Medical Center - Service & Dietary
Tentative agreement reached
Vote scheduled

After many months of bargaining, we finally have a tentative agreement! We worked hard to get a contract that works for all, and won historic wage increases that can help recruit and retain qualified staff. Our new agreement includes:

• New wage scales and job classifications

• Filled in all ghost steps

• Pay for call in advance of shift

• Management will pay for certifications including food handler’s card

• Pandemic Language

• And much more!

The vote will be in-person and members will have the opportunity to speak to Bargaining Team members before casting their ballot. Please arrive during the posted vote times as we cannot allow members to enter the vote room outside of the advertised times.

Join your co-workers and vote on the new contract

Wednesday, May 17
8:30am—10:30am | 12pm—3:30pm | 5pm—7pm
St. Michael Medical Center, conference room 1.939 (first floor of the new hospital by the blue elevators)

EvergreenHealth Kirkland - Disrespect from Management!

Our Bargaining Team: Justy Hedrick, CT Scanning; Anna Hennager, Resp Therapy; Chris Dizon, Echocardiology; Desiree Huttinger, Cardiology; Kimberly Mitchell, Surgery/ Labor and Delivery; Jennifer Bradshaw, Mammography; Kevin Daly, Lab; David Dimalanta, Radiology; James Kerr, Surgery/OR

Monday, May 8, our Union Bargaining Team met with Management. The Team has given many proposals to Management, both proposals with an economic impact and those which improve or clarify existing contract language, making the contract better for workers AND Management.

During Monday’s bargaining session, Team members let Management know that their coworkers were disappointed that Management had still not responded to any Union proposals. 

Management replied with a firm, disrespectful statement saying that they were not going to counter any proposals given so far and wanted to see everything economic as well as non-economic before giving anything back. The Union Team stayed strong through this, challenging management’s statement and their attitude! 

For additional information, contact a Bargaining Team Member or Union Representative Jack Crow 206-436-6614.

Safe Staffing Moving Forward!

The Presidents of SEIU 1199NW, UFCW 3000, and WSNA speak to the huge victory for patients, communities and nurses with the new Safe Staffing Law, the need for nurses and communities to hold hospital administrations accountable to the new law, and a much deserved celebration for this victory. Watch the Video:

The Presidents of SEIU 1199NW, UFCW 3000, and WSNA

More on our long fight for Safe Staffing!>>

PRMCE DAY FIVE BARGAINING UPDATE

Today Our Union Bargaining Team had more productive conversations around staffing plans and movement within staffing language. Providence went from staffing ratios being a non-starter to having deeper conversations around what staffing should look like at Providence and we are anticipating language that both parties can agree on.

Our discussions around staffing included talking in great length about staffing committee language and the role that the committee will play in improving patient care and safety throughout the hospital. We had discussions around retention and Providence stated that retention is also a priority for them but have yet to commit to any language that supports retention.

“We want Providence to know we HEAR them and we want them to do better for Nurses and the community!”

— Kristen Crowder

PRMCE DAY FOUR BARGAINING UPDATE

PRMCE

DAY FOUR BARGAINING UPDATE

Today Providence came back with economic responses to our last proposals, including wages and responses to our staffing ratio language. It was clear from the Nurses who completed the Union Bargaining Survey that staffing and having confidence in administration to make efforts to adhere to staffing plans, is our number one priority. But Providence still has not countered or discussed with our Union Bargaining Team the staffing ratios that we proposed multiple times. We have reminded Providence that staffing ratios are a priority, and we are encouraging Providence to agree with our counter.

“Providence, DO BETTER!”

— Our Union Bargaining Team

St. Michael Medical Center Protech - Bargaining Continues

Our 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, Pharm Technician

Bargaining continues, but it is slow. We have made proposals that would protect all our coworkers and help us recruit and retain qualified workers. Management fails to listen to our concerns and address our needs. We are frustrated and disappointed that instead of seeking to find mutually beneficial solutions, they have threatened our union security and healthcare benefits. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! We work hard day in and day out taking care of patients and our community, but management proposes language that would harm us instead of strengthen us. Management needs to listen, and give us what we deserve; Better Pay, Better staffing and More Respect!

We believe it is vital that Management listens to our concerns and gives us the respect and support we deserve. We are asking for better pay, better staffing levels, and more respect at work. These are reasonable requests that would benefit not only us but our patients and the community we serve.

We need your support now more than ever—if you believe that it is time for Management to respect and protect us, please sign the petition calling on them to do the right thing at the bargaining table. Your voice is essential in helping us to achieve a fair and equitable contract that benefits everyone.

“The cost of living has gone up and their wage proposals are not competitive and keep us below the market.”

— Rob Shauger

“Inflation is not an imposition, it’s an opportunity to work more—don’t get more money, just work more—that’s Management theory.”

— Paul Harris

“Management continues to try and divide us by stating, ‘nurses are more valuable because their skillsets cover everyone.’ It’s time for them to recognize that we are all valuable for our skill to make the patient healthcare team, we all work hard to take care of our patients.”

— Connie Baker

St. Michael Medical Center Service & Dietary - We Have a Historic Tentative Agreement!

Our Bargaining Team:
Vanessa Rosadino, Dietary Caterer
Christy Sammons, EVS Relief
Susan Meyer, Dietary Cook
Pam Reese, EVS Discharge

After many months of bargaining, we finally have a tentative agreement. We worked hard to get a contract that works for all! We won historic wage increases that can help recruit and retain qualified staff!

We also won:

• New wage scales and job classifications

• Filled in all ghost steps

• Pay for call in advance of shift

• Management will pay for certifications including food handler’s card!

• Pandemic Language

• And other great wins!

“We did it! We are DONE!!!”

— Pam Reese

“This is a historic contract. I have never seen such high percentages in my 20 years of working here! “

— Susan Meyer

“I am so happy for our new contract. We worked really hard and we got a successful contract and we encourage everyone to vote YES!”

— Vanessa Rosadino

“We worked really hard to get a contract that will help us recruit and retain new workers! “

— Christy Sammons

Please keep stay tune for more information about vote times so you can vote on your new contract!

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Bargaining Team.

St. Joseph Medical Center Technical - CONTRACT RATIFIED!

On Tuesday May 2, members in the technical bargaining unit at St. Joseph Medical Center overwhelmingly voted to ratify their new collective bargaining agreement!

Our new contract includes some of the highest pay in the region, a completely revamped wage scale with no ghost steps, a historic $1.00/hr increase to standby pay, and much more. Other than our pay increases, which will go into effect no later than two pay periods after ratification, all provisions of our new contract are now in effect!

After contracts have been voted on and ratified by the membership, the process of review between the union and the employer begins. This is a process is to ensure all new changes are incorporated into the agreement. This can take time, but is necessary for accuracy, we will post the contract on our website as soon as the review process is finished. In the meantime, you can find a redlined version at ufcw3000.org!

EvergreenHealth Medical Center - Bargaining Continues

EvergreenHealth Medical Center
Bargaining Continues

On April 28, we bargained with EvergreenHealth Management and are continuing to propose changes that will strengthen our contract and improve working conditions. Management has not provided any response to our proposals.

Compensation and staffing are the primary focuses and are essential to retention and recruitment.

We need to make EvergreenHealth competitive with other local hospitals. Our next bargaining date is Monday, May 8.

EvergreenHealth Bargaining Team: Justy Hedrick, CT Scanning; Anna Hennager, Resp Therapy; Chris Dizon, Echocardiology; Desiree Huttinger, Cardiology; Kimberly Mitchell, Surgery/ Labor and Delivery; Jennifer Bradshaw, Mammography; Kevin Daly, Lab; David Dimalanta, Radiology; James Kerr, Surgery/OR

QUESTIONS? Reach out to one of our Bargaining Team members or Union Rep Jack Crow @ 206-436-6614.

Communication is key! If you know someone who is not receiving these updates, they can join the loop by going to: ufcw3000.org/update-your-information

Northwest Center Early Supports Union - Bargaining Begins!

Our Bargaining Team: 

Cassandra Villarreal, Kimberly Burns, Jenica Barrett

We met with Management for the first time and presented our first set of non-economic proposals that addressed our bargaining priorities, including recruiting and retaining qualified staff through:

• Manageable caseloads 

• Consistent job locations 

• Supportive time off 

• Equitable and transparent pay 

• Supportive onboarding and mentoring 

After presenting proposals, Management became very quickly overwhelmed and needed a break. Nevertheless we are committed to working towards a strong and equitable contract for all! 

Questions or to find out more about how you can show support, please contact Union Representative Ian Jacobson @ 206-436-6550.

“There were a lot of initial jitters in the room! I’m hopeful we can move to a more natural conversation with Management.”

— Jenica Barrett,Speech Language Pathologist

“It was an exciting first day of bargaining! We’re in for quite an adventure. It’s a privilege to negotiate on behalf of my colleagues and I will continue fighting for the contract we deserve.”

— Kimberly Burns, Physical Therapist

“This was my first time having a space that allowed me to speak equally to someone in a position superior to myself. While it is nerve-wracking, I feel empowered by my union team! I look forward to making progress on a fair contract now that we have a platform to both listen and be heard.”

— Cassandra Villarreal, Speech Language Pathologist

Follow us on our social media to stay up to date with bargaining!

Our advocacy paid off: Safer staffing is coming to Washington hospitals!

Download or print this update for your bulletain boards>>

Our bill to address safe staffing in hospitals, ESSB 5236, was passed by the House earlier this month — the last step in a lengthy legislative process that we, in coalition with SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, UFCW 3000, and the Washington State Nurses Association, helped move forward with our actions, stories, and willingness to use our collective voice to ensure safer care in our hospitals. When we fight, we win!

The bill landed on Gov. Inslee’s desk to be signed into law on April 20, 2023. As of today, our bill is law.

What’s next?

We’ll celebrate our success at coalition victory parties around the state on May 11 from 6-8 p.m. RSVP to a Victory Celebration Here >>

• Seattle: Seattle Labor Temple, 5030 1st Ave. S

• Spokane: UFCW 3000 Office, 2805 N. Market St.

• Tri-Cities: SEIU 1199NW Office, 7525 W. Deschutes Pl Ste 2 Kennewick, WA 99336

• Tacoma: Shiloh Baptist Church, 1211 S I St.

• Mt. Vernon: UFCW 3000 Office, 1510 N 18th St.

• Everett: Snohomish County Labor Temple, 2810 Lombard Ave.

• Olympia: Washington State Labor Council, 906 Columbia St. SW (2nd floor)

We’ll distribute an implementation timeline, provide resources, and share information to help us enforce the new staffing law and ensure accountability.

“I’m very glad to see the nursing staff representatives on our staffing committees expanded to include CNAs and LPNs alongside RNs. I know ensuring strict enforcement of a new staffing law is going to take some work, but I’m excited to get started learning how we can use it to keep our patients safer, our hospitals accountable, and our jobs more sustainable.”

— Patricia Brown, LPN, Tacoma General, member of UFCW 3000

The new safe staffing law will:

• Strengthen accountability to hospital staffing plans set by staffing committees.

• Eliminate CEO veto power over those plans.

• Expand staffing committees to include LPNs, CNAs, and other direct patient care staff in addition to RNs.

• Reduce hospitals’ ability to pack staffing committees with people who impede plans.

• Create uniform reporting forms, which will mean that patients and healthcare workers will easily understand how many staff should be present.

• Require hospitals to report noncompliance to the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).

• Allow DOH to issue corrective action plans that could require minimum staffing standards and fines.

• Expand meal and rest break laws to include all frontline staff.

• Close loopholes to make mandatory overtime laws fully enforceable.

• Allow L&I to issue escalating penalties for missed breaks.

• Funds the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to conduct a study of existing staffing plans.

Providence Regional Medical Center - RNs -Fighting for ratio language to protect our patients

Providence Regional Medical Center - RNs
Fighting for ratio language to protect our patients

On day 3 of bargaining, we discussed at length the importance of staffing ratio language to be included in the contract and what that would mean for Nurses and patients.

“Providence said ratio language was a non-starter. For Nurses, not having ratio language is a non-starter and your Bargaining Team will continue to fight for appropriate and safe staffing levels.”

—Carrie Rimel, RN, Bargaining Team

We have yet to hear back from Providence on the bulk of our economic proposals, but we will continue to negotiate in good faith with Providence. We will meet with Providence again May 9, 10, and 11 and will continue our discussions as a Bargaining Team surrounding their proposals to get nurses the best contract.

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett - Bargaining Economics

Providence Regional Medical Center - RNs
Bargaining Economics

On day two of bargaining, we proposed all of the economics, including retirement, health insurance, differentials, longevity, wage increases, and bonuses. Our goal is to attract and retain Nurses and ensure patients have the highest level of safety and care at this hospital.

We are awaiting Providence’s response to our economics, as well as our staffing ratio proposal and other non-economics and look forward to continuing to bargain in good faith during these expedited bargaining sessions.

“We have put everything out on the table, we are waiting for Providence to respond. Thanks to all that are wearing their yellow and blue. Seeing photos of you all standing in solidarity wearing yellow and blue shows Providence that we are UNITED.”

– Stephanie Sausman, RN, Bargaining Team