UFCW 3000 Podcast Episode 11: Our Union and Politics

How and why does a union engage with politics? What's the "people power" we talk about in "people-powered politics"? Michaela talks with UFCW 3000 political organizer Derrick about the power of union members taking an active role in local and state elections and in politics beyond elections. Washington State legislature is now in session, and while this was recorded before the recent elections, it's also about all the work that UFCW 3000 members will now be doing to hold those elected lawmakers accountable! They discuss the potential corporate grocery mega-merger that our local is fighting against, and at the end of the episode you'll hear from longtime grocery worker and UFCW 3000 member Naomi speaking out at a press conference about that merger. Learn more about our political advocacy work, our 2024 legislative agenda, how to register to vote, and more at our website: https://ufcw3000.org/people-powered-politics Our Winter General Membership Meetings, also discussed here, are also coming up! Find your local quarterly meeting at: https://ufcw3000.org/gmmcall

UFCW 3000 union shop steward Michaela is always ready to answer fellow members’ questions about their union. She’s also a devoted murder podcast listener. Put those interests together, and she decided to start a union podcast to get all her coworkers’ questions and her own questions answered, and to meet as many people as possible who could share what it means to be a part of UFCW 3000. (No murder on this podcast, only solidarity!)

*The information shared on this podcast is offered by rank and file union member leaders of UFCW 3000. There may be inaccuracies or misstatements shared, as members will be speaking from the lenses of their perspectives and life experiences. While members are doing their best to share good information, we can make no claims to 100% accuracy and this podcast should not be construed as legal advice.

Northwest Center Early Supports TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED Contract VOTE SCHEDULED

After almost 9 months of bargaining, we have reached a tentative agreement on our first union contract and will hold an in-person meeting during work hours on Wednesday, February 14 to review the details and approve by a democratic vote. 

We organized our Early Supports Union to address pay inequity, the rising costs of living in our region, and the goal of retaining staff and not having the high turnover that we were experiencing. This is historic- we are the first Early Supports Agency to unionize in Washington and one of the first private agencies to organize in the country!

Our Union Bargaining Team is unanimously recommending a YES vote. 

Highlights of the tentative agreement include:

• Compassion Leave improvements for all employees at NWC

• Establishment of a weighted caseload system

• Transparent wage scale with wage increases each year of the contract on our employment anniversary date and anniversary of contract ratification

• Maximum Capacity and Over Capacity Bonuses

• Increased PTO accruals

• Access to meetings via zoom and limits on in-person requirements 

• Health and Safety rights/protections 

• Increased Breaks/Time off Work

• Continuing Education

• Wage differentials for skills: multilingual, CHERISH, medically complex feeding

• Wage differentials for: education levels/degrees, previous job experience, tenure with Northwest Center for current employees 

• New Employee Orientation process

• Labor Management Committee

• Definition of Service Teams and process for allocating new families outside your Team

• Protection from unjust discipline

• Fair process for layoff and reduction in overall hours

• Reimbursement of up to $500 for accident or damage to vehicle 

• Remote and in-person positions

• Overtime for all employees 

• and more!

In-Person CONTRACT VOTE SCHEDULED: Wednesday, February 14 from 11:00am – 3:00pm @ Northwest Center South Park Office: 7272 W Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98108

Voting will only be conducted in-person. If you cannot attend because of remote work or are sick, please email kvaldez@ufcw3000.org. A zoom option will be available to answer questions and review the vote documents.
Questions? Please contact the Bargaining Team or Union Representative Ian Jacobson, 206-436-6550.
Facebook: Early Supports Union, Instagram: @earlysupportsunion

Mason Health RN Bargaining Update

“We feel that we have fulfilled our full workload for yesterday and today.” -Megan Corbin

Today we delivered an economic package proposal to management including significant increases to wages and premiums including Resource RN Differential, and BSN/MSN Premium. We are trying to find ways to make the wage scale more competitive with other nearby hospitals.

We have also proposed changes to the definition for full time and part time to be inclusive of 12 hour shifts (so three twelves per week equals full-time.) Management continues to fight us on this.

Other changes include redefining the clarification of longevity increases and Report Pay process, and a significant overhaul of Earned Time. We meet again with Management on January 29.

​For additional information reach out to a Bargaining Team Member. Our Union Bargaining Team: Tori Willis, Megan Corbin, Nancy Ownby.

PRMCE RN Negotiations & Upcoming Action

During our meeting with PRMCE on January 22, we presented a comprehensive proposal based on the thorough feedback from nurses. This proposal encompasses retroactive pay dating back to December 15, 2023, across-the-board wage increases scheduled for 2025, heightened step increment percentages for steps 26 to 35, stronger staffing language, and clarifications addressing ambiguous language. We were encouraged that PRMCE came to the table willing to listen and even accepted some of our language proposals.

Highlights of our proposals:

• Clarified that charge nurse assignments are always voluntary

• Extra shift incentive for all vacant shifts - a full-time or part-time nurse will receive double-time pay when picking up an extra shift beyond their FTE, and per diem nurses will receive 1.5 times pay for picking up more than two shifts in a pay period and double time if they work above a 0.5 FTE

• Clarified Christmas day pay for night shift nurses

• Clarified holiday substitute pay

• Twelve break relief nurse positions will be posted within 21 days of ratification, and there will be a mandatory discussion about break relief nurses in closed units

• Market analysis will include Level 2 trauma centers in Western WA, and a mandatory market adjustment if PRMCE RN wages fall below the market average

• Boarder premium pay for ED nurses, along with limitations on border assignment makeup

• Clarified EIB can be used on the first day of any illness or injury

• Increased wage increments for Steps 26 through 35, given their overall across-the-board increases were below less senior RNs

• Bonus for RNs who have been employed with PRMCE since December 31, 2001

• Retro pay from December 15, 2023

• $5/hour staffing premium for each nurse working two hours or more below the staffing plan

• Increased the across-the-board increase in 2025 to 6%

• January 1, 2026 contract reopener

• Innovative staffing model like co-caring pilot must reach a consensus in the Hospital Staffing Committee prior to implementation

Meal Waiver Information:

Our recommendation is that RNs DECLINE both questions on the meal waiver. If you receive a late first meal period or carry a phone with you during your meal period, you should receive 30 additional minutes of pay. These 30 minutes of additional pay may place you into overtime depending on the length of your shift. Additionally, we requested information several weeks ago about PRMCE’s meal period scheduling to determine if shifts will be extended or remain the same. We expect to have more information about shift lengths next week.

Upcoming actions:

• January 26 Ambulance Wait Times Bill In-person Capitol Meeting at 8am (see below)

• January 28 Update Meeting 5pm-6pm - Click here to join >>

  • Update/Next Steps

  • Legislative Bills

  • Information on Meal Periods/Meal Waiver

  • Need Volunteers for Community/Media update

• January 30 10am-2pm Olympia Lobby Day at the State Capitol (meet at Pritchard Building)

• Early February Media Engagement

• February 5- 9 Yellow and Blue Scrubs Week

• February 9 Mediation with PRMCE

• February 12 Mediation with PRMCE

Take Legislative Action for Ambulance Waiting Times and Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers

In response to community concerns, particularly from firefighters and nurses, Rep. Mary Fosse (D-Everett) introduced HB 2466to address ambulance waiting times. The legislation would require a hospital accept a patient transferred by ambulance within 30 minutes of arrival or be responsible for reimbursing the ambulance service for costs over 30 minutes. Exceptions include extended patient surge and ER capacity due to damages (water damage or system outages) but NOT for staffing. We think this is a great bill to weigh in on.

The bill will be heard this Friday morning, January 26, in the House Health Care & Wellness Committee at the Capitol (Olympia) at 8AM. If you are interested in giving testimony in person, please email Tom Lambro, tlbambro@ufcw3000.org. It will be available online live on TVW's website and a recording will be available afterward.

You can do two things now:

1. Sign in PRO on the legislation so legislators know where constituents stand on HB 2466 >>

2. If you'd be interested in writing written testimony so it's in the legislative record you can do that here >>

UFCW 3000 is also prioritizing a bill to ensure workers who go on strike are able to file for Unemployment benefits. HB 1893 in the House and SB 5777 in the Senate are both quickly moving.The Senate bill passed the Labor Committee on January 16 and the House bill is scheduled to pass the House Labor Committee January 24 after which it will go to the full House. Weighing in directly with your own legislators will go a long way in ensuring we pass this in 2024. There are two quick ways you can do this:

1. Call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and let the person who answers the phone know you are in strong support of SB 5777 and HB 1893.

2. You can also write to your own legislators directly! If you are not sure which district you live in you can find that here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/. After you fill in this form it will provide you with phone number and email to your legislators. If you are writing to your senator mention SB 5777 and to your two state representatives mention HB 1893.

PRMCE RN Negotiations are ongoing!

EvergreenHealth - CONTRACT RATIFIED!

The Union contract for EvergreenHealth has been ratified by both Union Members and the Board of Commissioners.

Highlights of the agreement include:

• 6.75% Wage Increase, 2024
• 5.75% Wage Increase, 2025
• 3%-10% additional Market Adjustments for many positions
• New Position: Advanced Procedures Mammography Tech
• $625-$1250 Ratification Bonus, effective the payroll period beginning February 4, 2024
• Shift Differential: Evening $2.75 per hour, Night $4.50 per hour
• Standby Pay: $4.25 per hour, $6.00 per hour for all hours after 50 hours of standby per pay period
• Paid Education Leave: New language allows for up to $600 to be carried over.

For additional information, contact our Union Representative Jack Crow at (206) 436-6614.

PRMCE RN Back to the table on January 22

On January 22 we will be mediating with PRMCE and a federal mediator. We have drafted a proposal based on the bargaining unit’s responses and feedback on the December survey. Our hope is that PRMCE will respond in a meaningful way to our proposal.

To keep everyone informed, we'll be hosting a Zoom meeting on January 22 at 2pm. During this session, we'll provide updates from the bargaining table and collectively brainstorm proposal concepts.
 
Meal  Waiver Update:We recommend that you DECLINE the two questions on PRMCE’s meal waiver. If you do not receive your meal period or receive a late meal period, you are supposed to be paid 30 minutes for every missed or late meal period. If you believe you have not been paid appropriately, please contact your union representative, Anthony Cantu. 

Providence Meal Waiver Update

In December 2023, Providence sent out a meal waiver to all UFCW 3000 represented employees. Providence is seeking to get employees to waive the timing of their first and second meal period, and waive their right to a second meal period if they are a 10 hour or 12 hour shift employee. Per the collective bargaining agreements, meal breaks should be administered per WA state law WAC 296-126-092  andRCW 49.12.480

RCW 49.12.480

• 8 hour shift employee- 2 paid rest breaks and one unpaid 30 minute meal period for every 5 hours worked with the first unpaid meal break between the second and fifth hour of the shift
   

• 10 hour shift employee- 2 paid rest breaks and one unpaid 30 minute meal period for every 5 hours worked with the first unpaid meal break between the second and fifth hour of the shift 
   

• 12 hour shift employee- 3 paid rest breaks and one unpaid 30 minute meal period for every 5 hours worked with the first unpaid meal break between the second and fifth hour of the shift

If you do not receive your meal period or receive a late meal period, you are supposed to be paid 30 minutes for every missed meal period. If you believe you have not been paid appropriately, please contact your union representative.

UFCW 3000 is recommending that you deny Providence’s request to both questionson the meal waiver. Our position is that Providence cannot change the timing of the meal period without bargaining over this issue and by waiving your right to a second meal period you may be losing out on overtime pay.

We have demanded that Providence remove the timing question from the meal waiver and bargain with us over the confusing language in the meal waiver. We have not heard back from Providence but expect an answer this week.

Our recommendation is that you respond in the following way:

1. Question 1: I am voluntarily requesting to waive my second unpaid meal period if I am entitled to one. DECLINE
    

2. Question 2: I am voluntarily requesting to take my first and second (if applicable/not waived) unpaid meal period at a time that is different than between hours two through five of my work periods. DECLINE

If you have any questions, please reach out to your union rep: Anthony Cantu (Providence Everett RNs), Jack Crow (Providence Everett Pros and Techs), Madison Derksema (Providence St. Peter, Providence Radiant Care and Providence Centralia), Lenaya Wilhelm (Providence Holy Family and Sacred Heart), Juanita Quezada (Sacred Heart Tech), Amy Radcliff (Mt Carmel RN and St. Joes).

MHS Auburn Medical Center (Pro) - Back to Negotiations!

MHS Auburn Medical Center (Pro)
Back to Negotiations!

BARGAINING TEAM: Pharmacist Brent Kirshenbaum, Social Worker Marci Pindi (standing in), and Mental Health Technician Sandra Williams

Our Union Bargaining team has met will MultiCare a few times and exchanged proposals. Through commitment to the process and advocacy for coworkers, we have made some progress.

Contract Language that has been tentatively agreed to include:

• Status Review: A process for part-time Employees to have a review of their FTE if continuously working over their assigned FTE

• Evaluations: Requiring the Employer to maintain a system which provides for Employee evaluations on a probationary and annual basis

• Recall: A process the Employer must follow to reinstate any Employee who has been laid off

• Nondiscrimination: The absence or avoidance of discrimination, officially affirming a federal government policy of nondiscrimination in employment

Proposals we are still working on are:

• Staffing: Working to address critical issues related to staffing levels, workload, and patient care

• Floating: Establishing fair guidelines and restrictions for floating to other facilities

• Preceptor: Clarifying the role and responsibilities of preceptors within our workplace along with a market competitive premium

• Labor Management Committee (LMC): Establishing a committee to give workers a voice after contract negotiations is over.

Our Bargaining Team is working on other issues and will continue to focus on the above topics, as we reserve most economics proposals for later in the process. Other bargaining dates that have been confirmed include January 19, 24, 31, February 7 and 14; we will be requesting additional future bargaining dates from the Employer.

Throughout this negotiation process, we are committed to keeping everyone informed and engaged. We will schedule regular bargaining update meetings and disseminate important communications through multiple channels, including text and email.

engagement and involvement are vital

Staying informed and standing together as a union demonstrates our collective strength. It's important to remember that your unified efforts and voices have the power to shape the future of MultiCare Auburn Medical Center.

QUESTIONS? Contact Union Rep Ian Jacobson @ 206-436-6550.

Pacific Dental Alliance - Contract vote scheduled!

Pacific Dental Alliance
Contract vote scheduled!

Our Bargaining Team reached a tentative agreement on a new three year contract and recommends a YES vote! The agreement includes:

• Competitive wage increases

• Ratification bonus

• Continued health insurance through Sound Health & Wellness

• New provision outlines bargaining during a Public Health Emergency

Full details of the contract offer will be available during our online vote on Thursday, January 18 @ 7am—5pm (drop in anytime)

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

• Make sure your information is up to date!
  To vote online on the proposals, make sure your personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email, go to: ufcw3000.org/update-your-information

• If you do not receive an email to vote on January 18, please reach out to Union Reps Christie Harris @ 206-436-6606 or Charlie King @ 206-436-6518 to provide an updated email address.

Join the vote information meeting
It is important that members attend the Zoom meeting to get a full understanding of the Employer’s offer. Drop in and get your questions answered!

Tuesday, January 16 • 5—7pm
Contact a Union Rep for Zoom meeting details.

PRMCE RN Let’s review survey results together on January 16!

In December, we sent out a survey to the entire bargaining unit, seeking your valuable insights to guide us in the upcoming mediation session with PRMCE. The response was overwhelming, with over 400 nurses sharing their perspectives. One key revelation from the survey is that resolving staffing issues is our top priority. However, the diversity of opinions on how to address this challenge highlights the complexity of our task.

Currently, we are diligently reviewing the survey results, paying special attention to the open-ended questions. Your responses are shaping the proposals we’ll be presenting during our mediation session. To ensure we hear all perspectives, we have scheduled an online meeting on January 16 from 8pm to 9pm. This gathering will serve as a platform to discuss the survey results and hear your thoughts on the potential proposals.

On January 22, we will be meeting with PRMCE management and a federal mediator. Our goal is to present a comprehensive proposal that addresses the staffing concerns of the bargaining unit. While the possibility of reaching an agreement during mediation exists, that decision will be made by our dedicated bargaining team. They will carefully weigh the survey results, your priorities, and potential workplace actions when determining the best course of action for the unit.

Whether we reach a deal or require additional mediation dates, your support is vital. Our solidarity is our strength, and together, we can achieve a contract that genuinely addresses our staffing issues. Let’s stay united and focused on the common goal of securing a better future for all of us.
— RN bargaining team 

Survey Results Review: January 16 from 8pm to 9pm 

One tap mobile: US: +12532050468,,89131758946# or +12532158782,,89131758946# 

Meeting URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89131758946?pwd=WUwreTZqYmtNd01HYml6UlliTCtuQT09 

Meeting ID: 891 3175 8946 Passcode: 303568

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center Techs Back to bargaining

“On January 9 our Bargaining Team went back to the bargaining table with Management. While we are encouraged by the movement that Management finally made in many areas for the first time we still have a lot of work to do.” — Janelle Mathias Pharmacy Tech. Bargaining Team member and Steward.

We will be back to the table with Management on January 17 to continue conversations on Compensation, Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits, Credit for experience and a few other outstanding items.

Please reach out to the Bargaining Team or our Union Representative Juanita Quezada 509-340-7371 with any questions or concerns.

We don’t want to but we will.

We are standing strong for each other, our patients, and our communities: Sign the pledge to join my Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center Tech co-workers on the strike line >>

MultiCare Health Systems Bargaining Update

Over the last few months, bargaining surveys were collected from hundreds of UFCW Local 3000 members across MultiCare Health System. This includes workers at Tacoma General Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Allenmore Hospital, Auburn Medical Center, Tacoma Family Medicine, and various Clinics.

The results of the survey were clear – workers believe that our wages have become uncompetitive and our healthcare far too expensive.

Our Union Negotiating Committee met on December 5 for an entire day to review the full results of the bargaining survey, audit our current contracts, and have a robust discussion about the issues in our workplaces. During this discussion we began working on our initial non-economic proposal to be presented to MultiCare on our first day with the Employer.

We also have a research team that is currently conducting a comprehensive market review of wages so that our committee can make informed decisions about our initial economic proposal. This review will include, but is not limited to, a review of wages offered to workers at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (e.g., St. Joseph Medical Center), Providence Health System, UW Medicine (e.g., Valley Medical Center), Swedish Medical Center, and Seattle Children’s Hospital.

We have reached out to MultiCare Managament to schedule our first bargaining dates in January and February, however, they have not yet responded. We’ve pushed back, recognizing that our contract expires March 1, and expect to hear back soon so that we can get started.

GET INVOLVED, STAY INFORMED!

Our Negotiating Committee recommends that members attend regular Contract Action Team meetings, which provide more detailed updates regarding contract negotiations and upcoming workplace actions. Our next meetings are on February 6th:

In person at 12PM: Allenmore Basement Conference Room and at 9AM and 5PM via Virtual ZOOM meeting. RSVP to a meeting here >>

Lourdes Medical Center RNs - New union contract ratified

Lourdes Medical Center RNs
New union contract ratified

“We are glad we are finally competitive with the market!”

—Jennifer Powell, RN and Bargaining Team member

Our Bargaining Team: Jennifer Powell, Jessica Leon, and Holly Kelly

The new contract was overwhelming voted and approved on December 27 and it includes:

• Significant wage increases making Lourdes more competitive

• Additional Step 32 at the top of the scale

• Premium increases to:

• Charge Nurse Differential

• Night Shift Differential

• On-call Differential

• Preceptor Premium increase

• Increase PTO accrual for 5-15+ years of services

• Memorandum of understanding (MOU) compensation for SANE

• Two-year extension to the current contract: The new contract will now expire January 1, 2027.

QUESTIONS? Contact a Bargaining Team member or Union Rep Juanita Quezada @ 509-340-7407.

PRMCE - Back to the Bargaining Table!

We will be bargaining on January 22, 2023! We're gearing up to head back to the bargaining table with PRMCE, and a federal mediator will be joining us. Before we step into mediation, our bargaining team will carefully analyze the survey results. These results shed light on the priorities and concerns of our bargaining unit.

Remember, the deadline to submit your survey responses is December 31, 2023. If you haven't already completed the survey, you can access it through the link below:

Come January, we'll be sharing a summary of the survey findings via Zoom ahead of our mediation session. Keep an eye out for the scheduled meeting date—we'll promptly share it with you.

Our goal on January 22, 2023, is to tackle the priorities highlighted in the survey. As representatives of the RN bargaining unit, our bargaining team holds the authority to potentially reach a tentative agreement on that day. This tentative agreement will then be subject to a vote. The team will carefully assess various factors, including the survey results, to ensure that any proposal aligns with the unit's priorities.

Your participation and input through the survey is crucial. Let's work together to address our concerns and strive for an agreement that reflects our shared priorities.

For questions or to get more involved, please reach out to Union Rep Anthony Cantu at (206) 436-6566.

Olympic Medical Center Support Services - CONTRACT RATIFIED!

Olympic Medical Center Support Services
CONTRACT RATIFIED!

On December 21 and 22, union members overwhelmingly voted to approve a new Union Contract which includes:

• 18% Wage Increases over 3 years

• Market Increases

• Bonuses

• Differential Increases

• Premium Increases

For additional information contact a Bargaining Team member or Union Rep Aimee Oien @ 360-662-1981.

Update Your Contact Info!
https://www.ufcw3000.org/update-your-information

Willapa Harbor Hospital (RN) Bargaining Begins

Willapa Harbor Hospital (RN)
Bargaining Begins

Our Bargaining Team (L—R): Kenadee Westerback, Robyn Taylor

We have finally started bargaining our union contract with Management after delays due to Management lack of availability.

Our initial contract package proposal included competitive wage increases, premium increases, equity and diversity language, staffing, and reducing health care costs. We had constructive conversations around scheduling, vacations, credit for experience and the hospital's financial status.

We will come back to the table on January 12 for a response to our proposals. We are looking forward to the Management response.

QUESTIONS? Contact a Bargaining Team member or Union Rep Brandan Zielinski @ 206-436-6603

Update Your Contact Info!
https://www.ufcw3000.org/update-your-information