Evergreen Health Kirkland Evergreen workers honored by board of commissioners

Many of us packed the board of commissioners meeting on July 18 and shared stories of the struggles we face every day. We spoke of the difficulty of recruiting staff at below market wages, the skyrocketing cost of living, and the frustration we all feel with Management’s refusal to propose adequate cost of living increases at the bargaining table.

The board seemed receptive to our concerns and shared their own desire for a fair contract that puts real money in our paychecks.

As a result of our statements and show of solidarity, the board made a last-minute decision to honor the sacrifices we and other care providers have made by awarding the frontline staff of Evergreen the annual “EvergreenHealth Community Service Award”.

July 19 we bargained with Evergreen and let Management know why it is important to pay competitive wages. We talked about being constantly short staffed and working with many highly paid travelers who don’t have the same skills and commitment to Evergreen that we have. Management maintains that they don’t want to pay top wages but feel they are being competitive. We bargain again July 25 and 26.

“The minimal response from Management on our wage proposals has left workers feeling more undervalued than ever” —Jennifer Bradshaw, Mammography Tech

“Me and my coworkers are constantly struggling to keep up as we perform more work with less staff, why would a new tech decide to work here when they can be paid more and work less elsewhere?” —Justy Hedrick, CT Tech

Olympic Medical Center (Pro Tech and Support Services) - Waiting for Management’s response to our proposals

Bargaining Team: (Standing L—R): Nancy Dahl, Ultrasound Tech; Kim Goss, Financial Advisor; Hector Pozernic, Physical Therapist; Cameron Van Winkle, Laundry Worker; (Seated L—R): Cathy Macphail, Negotiator, Patricia Wood, Technical Specialist Lab; Amanda Beck, Surgery Tech; Jake Purvis, Pharmacist; Joshua Johnston, CT Tech; Deviny Blore, Imaging Services Rep II; Terry Wray, Patient Access Rep; Not Pictured: Robert Elofson-Gilbertson, Radiology Tech; Aimee Oien, Union Representative

Olympic Medical Center (Pro Tech and Support Services)
Waiting for Management’s response to our proposals

We had a full Bargaining session with Management at Olympic Medical Center on July 13.

Our Union Bargaining Team has proposed to significantly increase wages and other compensation as well as addressing huge challenges around staffing. We have made many other proposals to improving processes and work—life balance.

Although Management has been friendly, we still haven’t received many proposals from them. We hope to have a better understanding of their priorities when they respond. We meet again on Friday, July 28.

For additional information or to get more involved, reach out to a Bargaining Team Member or to Union Representative Aimee Oien at 360-662-1981.

Update your information!

Members of UFCW 3000 can have their bargaining updates and other helpful information emailed to them. It is very important that your personal contact information is correct with your Union to be sure you receive updates on bargaining with your employer, union benefits, bargaining surveys, as well as contract vote information: ufcw3000.org/update-your-information

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Craig Kistler

Craig Kistler

Craig Kistler is a former Marine Deputy who now serves his community at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center as a Mental Health Counselor.

He joined the union about a year ago. He was happy to join because he saw the union addressing the needs of him and his coworkers. Craig and a co-worker talked about the benefits of the union and that the union started with the members at the work site, which is why he became interested in being more involved in helping build the power of the union.

He is happy to be a shop steward and is excited to be part of the bargaining team for the upcoming contract negotiations.

Planned Parenthood Bargaining Update

The bargaining team knows you all want to hear about your raises. In order to keep leverage, we must first address issues like holding Management accountable for staff safety, adhering to a strong non-discrimination clause, treating all workers fairly, responding to staff concerns in a reasonable time, and the amount of time low level discipline remains in a personnel file.

Management offered many packaged proposals, a “we will agree to this, if you agree to that” but we could not accept most packages because what they would have us agree to was out of the question. As a result, we unpackaged things in our counters. For example, Management is holding to their proposed language allowing them to negate the contract in the case of a natural disaster (power outages, snowstorms, epidemics), only now it comes as a package deal with totally unrelated articles. We disagreed. Again.

We are standing strong on our proposed non-discrimination language, language that strengthens our Labor Management Committee, and language addressing safe staffing concerns. Management seems to have little interest in countering as all their proposals just remove our own reasonable proposals, adding no counter to any of our language proposal except their language, that would not ensure we all have safety and security at work. United in our efforts, we look forward to the next bargaining session on Monday, July 31.

“My frontline coworkers deserve agency in deciding safe staffing levels and security issues that impact them.” - Alison DeBoise

“After witnessing and participating in 6 years of DEI policy attempts, work groups and staff turnover I’m deeply disappointed by GNHAIK’s disinterest in including DEI language in the contract throughout this process. We’re giving them simple ways to demonstrate action toward being the inclusive organization we apparently strive to be and they keep slashing DEI language without offering anything in return.” - Mollie Overby

Forks Community Hospital Service & Tech Contract Ratified!

Our Union Bargaining Team wants to thank you for participating in the contract vote. The collective bargaining agreement was ratified July 6 with 100% voting YES! This agreement:

• Increases wages a minimum of 15% over the life of the contract

• Protects affordable health care

• Adds multilingual pay to the contract

• Adds certification pay to the contract

PRMCE—Listen to Your Nurses and Community!

Since May 2023, we have been bargaining with Providence Everett management. Our objective has been safe staffing levels for our community and patients. Providence has rejected our staffing language and our ideas to retain and recruit nurses. It is time for our community and elected officials to hear about the staffing crisis at Providence Everett!

Nurses want the best for patients. Providence Everett wants the best for their pocketbooks.

It is time we take a stand.

Join us and bring your family and friends to one of the actions below and sign your strike pledge card! By signing a strike pledge card, we are saying that we are willing to strike in the future.

Wednesday, July 12

Snohomish City Council Meeting @ 10:30am

• 3000 Rockefeller Ave. 

• 8th Floor, Jackson Board Room

• Robert J. Drewel Building

• Everett, WA 98201

Everett City Council Meeting @ 6:30pm

• William E Moore Historic City Hall (Police, North Precinct)

• 3002 Wetmore Ave.

• Everett, WA 98201

Thursday, July 13

Banner and Leaflet at Everett Marina Summer Concert @ 4:45PM to 6:00PM

• On W. Marine View Drive (near Lombardi’s) underneath the Grand Avenue Park Bridge

Sunday, July 16

Banner and Leaflet Action @ 5:30PM to 7:00PM

• Broadway and Pacific Ave

• Everett, WA 98201

LabCorp - Negotiations Continue

LabCorp
Negotiations Continue

Our LabCorp Bargaining Team met with Management on June 29 to continue negotiations. We proposed additional holidays (MLK day, Juneteenth and Veterans Day) to recognize Union members of color and former service members. We made proposals to address issues with excessive overtime, understaffing, and mandatory schedule changes. We also proposed additional bereavement and union leave, penalties for untimely resolution of paycheck errors, more training for management on medical leave processes, and better access to HR.

NEXT CAT MEETINGS:
Thursday, July 13 on Zoom
9am—10am and 6:30pm—7:30pm
Find the link at: linktr.ee/LabForce3000

NEXT BARGAINING DATES:
July 19 and August 1

“We shared your stories about overtime and staffing problems. Unfortunately, although we come prepared every session with full proposals and explanations for them, management has chosen not to respond to our contract language proposals and deferred addressing previous issues until they receive all our economic proposals as well. This delay tactic is unacceptable! Despite this, we remain prepared and ready for action as we head into our next two negotiations sessions.” —Matt Noll, Cytogenetic Technologist

STAY IN THE LOOP!
Please make sure to join and follow our Slack or Facebook group for important updates regarding Contract Action Team meetings and negotiations.

Questions or concerns? Reach out to our Bargaining Team or Union Rep, Christie Harris at 206-436-6606.

EvergreenHealth - Evergreen Workers Show Their Strength!

Workers at EvergreenHeath took part in our first worksite action on Tuesday, July 20 by wearing union colors and holding a mass attendance at the board of commissioners meeting. We filled the room and showed management and board members that Evergreen workers are engaged and serious about winning a fair contract.

The sea of yellow forced management to sit up and take notice, and several voluntarily offered commentary on the importance of our work in the clinical and financial success of the hospital.

Make no mistake though, this action is not enough to move the needle at the bargaining table. We plan to attend the next board meeting on July 18 in even greater numbers and speak directly to management and the board about why we need a strong contract with fair wages, better benefits, and real solutions the staffing crisis we face every day.

Are you interested in raising your voice in support of a fair contract? Contact your rep Jack Crow at 206-436-6614 or jcrow@ufcw3000.org

Come to the next contract action meeting!

• July 11 • 5:30 PM

• TAN 138

Can’t make it? Join our Zoom meeting instead!

• July 10 • 10:30 AM

Contact your Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.

St. Michael Medical Center (Pro-Tech) - Contract ratified!

St. Michael Medical Center (Pro-Tech)
Contract ratified!

On Friday, June 30, we overwhelmingly voted to ratify our 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, increases to several differentials, and much more.

We will work with the Employer to get a final signed copy of your contract printed as soon as possible, but in the meantime, the redline version can be found HERE >>

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; Alicia Krug, Surgery Tech

Providence St. Peter Hospital PTAs / COTAs Bargaining Update

“Unfortunately Providence rejected our proposal to place employees on a wage scale per their years of experience in their job classification. Having our years of experience recognized is a top priority!”—Cynthia Miner and Heidi Ranger

Our Union Bargaining Team met with Management on Thursday, June 29 to discuss the terms of our accretion into the technical unit represented by UFCW 3000. Thus far we have not been able to come to an agreement with Management about the structure of our wage scale and retaining greater continuing education benefits than the minimum required in the technical unit’s union contract.

As such, we are scheduled to meet with them again August 15. While we wish this were possible sooner, we also could not accept the offer on the table just for the sake of expediting the process.

MultiCare Covington Medical Center Contract Ratified

Bargaining Units has Overwhelmingly voted yes to ratify the contract!

We won:

• Historic wage increases that can help recruit and retain qualified staff!

• Increased PTO cash out

• Low Census Limits for RNs

• Staffing Accountability Language

• And other great wins!

The contract will immediately go into effect. New wages will go into effect on July 16.

If you have questions, please reach out to one of your bargaining team members or your union representative Ian Jacobson.

Planned Parenthood Bargaining Update

Bargaining Team: Michel Avery, Alison Deboise, Melissa Grindstaff, Monalisa Bauman, Mollie Overby

Today in Negotiations we got some wins in our non-discrimination language, as Planned Parenthood agreed with our language including: having your name, email, and ID badge match whatever name you choose. Planned Parenthood agreed with adding the anti-racism statement (public health crisis) we proposed and agreed that systemic and individualized racism deeply impact the health and wellbeing of communities. Planned Parenthood agreed to our proposal to email us via our work email about new job postings. Planned Parenthood is still refusing to agree to more than a one year contract, even with upcoming elections threatening your day to day safety. We are asking for a three year contract.

We are still fighting for strong language for stewards, as well as ensuring only 14 days notice for resignation for members.

Planned Parenthood told us that our staffing language proposal that ensures you have ways to voice concerns, as well as requiring Planned Parenthood to have a timeline to follow up on said concerns was not “one size fits all and doesn’t address issues that an employer sees”. We disagree with that, you deserve to have proper staffing that allows for quality patient care and services. Planned Parenthood wont even counter our staffing language, they are just saying NO. We will continue to propose safe staffing language, this is non-negotiable.

We asked that “when it comes to safety issues or other life threatening issues” that Planned Parenthood, The Union and Labor Management Committee must meet within seven days of a request for an emergency meeting. Planned Parenthood has said they were not interested in this. Given the recent safety concerns you have faced, we would hope Planned Parenthood would agree to this important proposal.

If you have questions contact our Union Rep Charlie King at 206-436-6518

Providence St. Joseph - New Three Year Contract Ratified at Providence St. Joseph Hospital for Service & Maintenance and Technical Units

Our bargaining team is excited to announce that on June 27, 2023, the new three-year contract was unanimously ratified at Providence St. Joseph Hospital for service & maintenance and technical units. This was a great time for everyone to learn about the new contract, ask questions, and vote. We connected with a lot of people and built our membership through this process. We are encouraged that the growth of our membership will strengthen the power that we have at the table.

The new contract has a competitive wage scale, increased premiums, an additional holiday, and cleaned up a lot of unnecessary language. The bargaining team spent some very long days with management, but they are excited, hopeful, and confident that this contract will help address retention and recruitment issues at St. Joseph.

If you would like to get involved, please reach out to your bargaining team. It takes all of us to fight for the benefits we work hard for!

Please reach out to your bargaining team or Union Representative Amy Radcliff at (509) 340-7370 with any questions or concerns.

Our Bargaining Team: Dawn Trotter, Financial Counselor; Bridgett McCoy, Coordinator; Terri Barbano-Cardin, Respiratory Therapist; Amy Radcliff, Union Representative

Olympic Medical Center - Bargaining Begins at Olympic Medical Center

Bargaining has begun for Pro-Tech and Support Services workers.

Your Bargaining Team has met several times to create contract proposals that address the challenges of retaining and recruiting workers. Low wages are at the center of the staffing crisis, resulting in long hours of work for the dedicated staff who are the foundation of OMC.

OMC needs to offer competitive wages and benefits that will not only get workers, but also keep them. Staffing issues need to be addressed, including the high number of travelers who have no commitment to the community.

On Friday, June 23, we had a full day of bargaining and made both economic and non-economic proposals.

Management seemed interested in what we had to say, but have not yet given any response to our proposals. The next bargaining date is July 13.

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Our Bargaining Team

Pro-Tech: Amanda Beck, Surgery Tech; Nancy Dahl, Ultrasound Tech; Robert Elofson-Gilbertson, Radiology Tech; Joshua Johnston, CT Tech; Hector Pozernic, Physical Therapist; Jake Purvis, Pharmacist; Patricia Wood, Technical Specialist;

Support Services: Deviney Blore, Imaging Services Rep II; Cameron Van Winkle, Laundry Worker; Terry Wray, Patient Access Rep

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For additional information, contact a bargaining team member or Union Representative Aimee Oien 360-662-1981.

Update your information!

https://ufcw3000.org/update-your-information

Ferry County Public Hospital - Bargaining Continues for Service & Maintenance and LPN Workers

Bargaining Team members met with management on June 22 and were scheduled for June 23, but management cancelled so they could prepare a response to our comprehensive proposal, which we introduced on the 22nd.

We are looking forward to a counter from the employer on June 29 that hopefully will address all of the very vital parts of our contract.  

We have had some very good conversations but still have a lot of work to do.  

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for June 29. Please reach out to your bargaining team or Union Representative Amy Radcliff at 509-340-7370 with any questions or concerns.

Our Bargaining Team: Amy Radcliff Union Representative; Chris Torres Lab; Nykole Silrus, LPN; Rebecca Thompson, Unit Coordinator.

PRMCE RN Bargaining Update

Providence asked for expedited bargaining, yet repeatedly failed to bring any counter proposal to our wage and staffing proposal.

Providence thought their best proposal for wages and staffing language was what Michelle Lundstrom sent in her May 22, 2023 email. Nurses should feel disrespected by this lack of action from Providence.

Given Providence’s lack of movement around staffing and wages, we will be launching a strike pledge card. Get ready to show solidarity with your coworkers and sign your strike pledge cards at the hospital and online.

Be on the lookout for information on your next Contract Action Team meeting! Keep wearing your blue and yellow, it’s time to put our words to ACTION!

If you have questions reach out to our Union Bargaining Team or Rep. Anthony Cantu at 206-436-6566

PRMCE RNs Back at the negotiations table!

“Nurses treat patients with dignity and respect. We expect the same from Providence. We are not going to take disrespect from the Employer bargaining team” —Kelli Johnson

We are back at the negotiations table with Providence and are continuing to fight for the contract that we all deserve. Today at the table we addressed non-economics, including skills departments, access to your union representative, membership language and language to ensure Nurses can receive coverage for participating in negotiations.

Providence came to the table being aggressive and disrespectful, but we stood our ground and movement is being made, including some Tentative Agreements on:

• Discipline and Discharge: discipline after 18 months cannot be used for progressive discipline, and discipline in your file to be removed after 18 months by request.

• Skills Departments: changes to skills departments that ensure safer staffing.

If you have questions reach out to our Union Bargaining Team or Rep. Anthony Cantu at 206-436-6566

Tri-Cities Community Health RNs Ratify First Contract

The Bargaining Team would like to thank everyone that showed up to vote YES on our new 3 year contract.

Our bargaining team is excited to announce that on June 21, 2023 Tri Cities Community Health workers made history with Ratifying their First contract by a Unanimous vote. The new contract guarantees two wage increases each year of the contract, annual merit bonuses, a competitive wage scale, job security, Grievance process, Continuing Education reimbursement, Union Security, Equality and fairness from now on.

We now have a voice that will be heard by All! Reach out to our Bargaining Team or Union Rep. Juanita Quezada at 509-340-7407 if you have any questions or concerns and to learn how you can get involved.

Forks Community Hospital Service & Technical - Tentative Agreement Reached! Contract Vote Scheduled

After four bargaining sessions your service and technical union contract negotiating team has reached a tentative agreement!

• Improvements to the collective bargaining agreement include:

• Across the board wage increases.

• Improvements to on-call, shift differentials, and weekend premiums phased in over the life of the contract!

• Multi-lingual pay for people certified by Washington state as fluent in a language other than English that is regularly spoken with patients.

• Certification pay for some job classifications wherein people receive certs that are not already requirements of the position (to be discussed in the Labor Management Committee prior to implementation in early 2024).

Please join us for a drop-In contract vote! This Tentative Agreement is recommended by your bargaining team!

Thursday, July 6

• 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

• 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Hospital Conference Room

UFCW 3000 members in good standing are encouraged to attend a meeting, ask questions, and vote on the contract. Contact a Bargaining Team member or your Union Representative for any questions!

Our Bargaining Team: Jen Smith, Aleda Adams, Micaiah Nelson, Cheryl Depew

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Alison DeBoise

Alison DeBoise recording a solidarity video for California Planned Parenthood workers fighting for a union

Alison DeBoise (she/they pronouns) works as an Insurance Biller for Planned Parenthood in Seattle and is an active shop steward at her work location. They talk about how they got involve in being a steward:

After college, I knew I wanted to work for Planned Parenthood because I'm passionate about access to reproductive healthcare for all. I began working at the Bellevue location in the Refill Center mailing patients their medication and became interested in the union after getting to know my coworkers better, attending general membership meetings, and our contract expiring not long after the pandemic started. Other stewards in my workplace inspired me to become a steward because I wanted to be a helpful resource to my coworkers.

Alison is now serving on the bargaining committee for the Planned Parenthood contract during negotiations this year, and has also stepped up to offer solidarity with Southern California Planned Parenthood workers fighting to organize a union with UFCW Local 324 by recording a video to offer those workers solidarity:

Being a part of a union with my coworkers has given us greater power to ask for and get what we need. Better wages, better working conditions, better work-life balance, and better time-off benefits.

We couldn’t agree more with Alison!