Northwest Center Early Supports - History Made

Northwest Center Early Supports
History Made

“We did it!!! It was so awesome to see everyone in person together today and we look forward to future conversations together about how we can make NWC the best place to work and serve families.” —Our Bargaining Team: Jenica Barrett, Kimberly Burns, Kaylee Ainge, and Kirsten Syberg

Today we overwhelmingly voted in favor and ratified our first Union Contract—and one of the first Union contracts for Early Supports workers in the country. We are excited about the foundational language and groundwork this sets for the next 3 years- and hope that it will help us retain and recruit staff, improve working conditions, and advocate for ourselves and the families we serve.

If you did not complete your Union membership application today, please take a moment to join your coworkers by completing the application online: https://join.ufcw.org/join/3000

Next Steps: As of today, our new contract, rights, and benefits go into effect. Within the next week, NWC Leadership will release a survey to gather information regarding wage enhancements. Please respond as soon as possible, so that the process of determining wage placement can move forward in a timely manner.

Please join us for our first Know Your Rights Meeting! We will discuss our rights to representation, new job protections, scholarship opportunities, other benefits, and how we would like to meet going forward.

Know Your Rights- Early Supports Union Mtg

Wednesday, February 28 @ 5pm
Contact a Bargaining Team member for Zoom details

If you have questions or would like to get more involved, please reach out to Union Rep Ian Jacobson @ 206-436-6550.

Contract page
https://ufcw3000.org/find-your-contract/2023/6/13/northwest-center

Follow us on our social media!
Facebook: Early Supports Union & Twitter/X: @earlysupportsunion

PRMCE RN Contract votes set for February 20 & 21

We've achieved a significant milestone! On February 9, 2024, a tentative agreement was reached with PRMCE after ten months of negotiations and persistent advocacy. This marks a historic moment in our journey towards enhancing staffing levels and prioritizing patient safety.

Given the new language in our tentative agreement, we believe voting in-person is the best way to inform one another and ensure that we are prepared to enforce the collective bargaining agreement. We’ll also discuss opportunities for nurses to become stewards and actively engage in Hospital Staffing Committee. If you are on medical leave or on PTO outside of the State and cannot vote in-person, we encourage you to reach out to Anthony Cantu, union representative. This will allow us to review the tentative agreement with you and answer your questions.

The vote document will be available for all to read on February 16 on the UFCW 3000 PRMCE RN contract page: ufcw3000.org/find-your-contract/2015/2/12/providence-regional-medical-center-everett-rn-contract ▸

To vote for the tentative agreement, you must attend an in-person vote and be a union dues paying member in good standing. You can sign up to be a union member on the day of our vote or by calling Membership Services 1-866-210-3000 prior to the vote.

Our RN union Bargaining Team fully recommends a “YES” vote.

In-person vote information:

February 20: 7am-9am, 11am-2pm, 5-8pm @ Pacific Campus: CR Main Floor classroom / Colby Campus: Cascade Conference Room (MOB)

February 21: 7am-9am, 11am-2pm @ Pacific Campus: CR Main Floor classroom / Colby Campus: Cascade Conference Room (MOB)

Mason Health RNs Contract Vote Set

We are happy to announce that after months of bargaining for a new contract we have reached a tentative agreement. Details of the tentative agreement will be available at drop-in informational meetings on February 20 and 21. The vote will be held on February 23.

Our Bargaining Committee is fully recommending a yes vote.

Highlights of the tentative agreement include:

• Significant wage increases

• New wage scale competitive with Olympia hospitals

• Higher Differentials and Premium Pay

• Improvements to Earned Time and Sick Leave process

learn more about the changes to our contract:

Tuesday, February 20: 11am-2pm and 4pm-8pm
Ellinor & Pershing Meeting Rooms, Mason Health 901 Mountain View Drive, Shelton WA 98585

Wednesday February 21: 8:30am-12:30pm
Washington Room, Mason Health 901 Mountain View Drive, Shelton WA 98585

In person contract Vote on the new contract:

Friday February 23: 11am-2pm and 4pm-8pm
Ellinor & Pershing Meeting Rooms, Mason Health 901 Mountain View Drive Shelton WA 98584

For additional information reach out to one of our union Bargaining Committee member: Tori Willis, Megan Corbin, Nancy Ownby.

MultiCare Health System Bargaining Begins for the MultiCare Big 9!

“I’ve been with MultiCare for fourteen years and this is my first time joining the Negotiating Committee. MultiCare has changed so much since I started here, and I just feel less and less valued. They’ve continued to take stuff away from us and one day I went and found my Union rep, and I said alright, I’m ready to take an active role in my future here!” —Catherine Cox-Shaffer, Radiology Technologist at Tacoma General

On Thursday, February 8, our Union Negotiating Committee met with MultiCare for our first day of contract negotiations for “The Big 9” Contracts!

The term “The Big 9” refers informally to the nine UFCW-MultiCare contracts that cover union members at Tacoma General Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Allenmore Hospital, Auburn Medical Center, Tacoma Family Medicine, and various MultiCare clinics. These contracts, negotiated collectively, include at least one member from each contract on our Negotiating Committee.

Our initial proposal to the Employer included proposed improvements on preceptor pay, floating, rest between shifts and language that strengthens our union’s presence at the workplace.

However, our Negotiating Committee doesn’t plan to propose significant changes to most of our contracts. Our union bargaining surveys made it very clear that members want the committee to prioritize wages and benefits, therefore, we don’t want to spend too much time on other proposals. Doing so would only delay improvements to wages and benefits.

Our Committee is currently reviewing market data and plans to make an informed economic proposal to MultiCare in early March.

As our Committee continues it’s work, your attendance at Contract Action Team (CAT) meetings is crucial so that you stay informed about the latest developments in our fight of a fair contract. We’ve seen a lot of our coworkers at the Contract Action Team Meetings- but we want to see you!

Stay up to date on all-things MultiCare Bargaining and how to get involved ▸

Our MultiCare Negotiating Committee: Brandy Beckler - CNA, Brian Dansereau – Pharmacy Tech, Catherine Cox-Shaffer – Radiology Tech, Charlie Brown - Housekeeper, Cheyenne Hannaman – Medical Lab Scientist, Danene Flower – Cardiology Tech, Diamond Tildon – Respiratory Therapist, Gregg Barney – Press Operator, Heidi Strub - Respiratory Therapist, Julianna Van Enk - Pharmacist, Karen Towne – Medical Assistant, Kelly Gusman – Surgery Tech, Nichole Booker - Receptionist, Patricia Brown - LPN, Rafael Diaz – Cardiovascular Tech, Ryan Boyd – MRI Tech, Sheila Whiteway – Housekeeper

PRMCE RN We have reached a tentative agreement! We FULLY recommend a YES vote!

We've achieved a significant milestone! On February 9, 2024, a tentative agreement was reached with PRMCE after ten months of negotiations and persistent advocacy. This marks a historic moment in our journey towards enhancing staffing levels and prioritizing patient safety.

When negotiations commenced, our primary objective was to address the pressing issues of staffing shortages and patient safety concerns. Over the past few years, the deterioration of our staffing situation went unheeded by PRMCE despite us raising the alarm. Throughout the bargaining process, we ensured that our voices were heard. We talked with our patients and community to highlight the critical nature of our staffing crisis, culminating in the decisive action of a strike.

Following our “NO” vote in December, we returned to the negotiating table with a clear focus on addressing the areas of improvement identified through our survey. Through collective effort, we secured significant victories, including:

• $500 Monthly Staffing Bonus for Understaffing

• Longevity Bonus for Senior RNs

• Night Shift Longevity Bonus

• March 31, 2026 contract reopener

• Extra shift incentive for vacant shifts

• Ratification Bonus for all RNs

• Increases to premiums

• 12 months needed to progress to next wage step

• Year for year for past nursing experience

• Chronic staffing issues can be resolved through binding mediation

• Charge Nurses shall NOT take a patient assignment

• Christmas Eve or December 26 holiday pay for night shift RNs

• 1.5x pay when not scheduled off on a day of significance

• Break relief position will be posted 21 days post ratification

• Discuss implementation plan for break relief nurses in a closed unit

• Weekend pay for Sunday night shift

• EIB may be used on the first day of absence or illness

• Boarder premium pay

• 24 hours of admin pay for Hospital Staffing Committee chairs

• Competitive wage scale 

Let's review the highlights together: Monday, February 12, 2pm-3pm & 7:30pm-8:30pm >>

We’ve had some of the deepest conversations with each other and have come out stronger. On Monday, February 12 we will be holding a Zoom meeting from 2pm-3pm and 7:30pm to 8:30pm to review the highlights of our tentative agreement! We will follow up later this week with vote details.

The ENTIRE RN bargaining team recommends a YES vote!
Julie Bynum, Kristen Crowder, Trevor Gjendem, Kelli Johnson, Carrie Rimel, Stephanie Sausman, Juan Stout

MultiCare Northwest Community Labs Update

MultiCare has announced that Laboratories Northwest will move outside of its current facilities and transition to a new business entity called Northwest Community Labs.

There are many questions regarding who will be impacted, where the new facility is located, what jobs are available, and what will happen to those who do not want to work for the new business entity.

UFCW 3000 and our representatives will be holding virtual drop-in meetings to help answer those questions on Thursday, February 15, 2024.

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Thursday, February 15

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
>> Link to Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 884 3240 2216
Passcode: 463463

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
>> Link to Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 840 6069 6405
Passcode: 501945

Northwest Center Early Supports vote docs. ready to review

vote docs. ready to review 

“We are amazed by our colleagues every day and are excited for the future. We look forward to answering your questions and continuing to advocate together for ourselves and the families we serve.”—Our Bargaining Team: Jenica Barrett, Kimberly Burns, Kaylee Ainge, and Kirsten Syberg 

Next Wednesday February 14 we will hold an in-person meeting during work hours to review and vote on our first Union contract. 
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 bargaining team is unanimously recommending a YES vote. 

Vote documents are now available online for your review >>

Please take time to review the Highlights, Full version, and Wage Scale. Copies of all vote materials will be available at the vote. 
If you have questions or would like to have someone walk you through how your wage placement and future wage increases will work, please reach out to a member of the bargaining team or Union Representative Ian Jacobson, 206-436-6550. 

Contract Vote: Wednesday, February 14 from 11:00am – 3:00pm
In-Person at Northwest Center South Park Office: 7272 W Marginal Wy S, Seattle, WA 98108

Team meetings will be adjusted so that we can participate in the vote. If you are sick or unable to attend due to remote work, please email Kvaldez@ufcw3000.org, to receive a zoom link to ask questions. Voting will only be conducted in-person. 

MHS Auburn Medical Center Professional - Bargaining Continues!

MHS Auburn Medical Center Professional
BARGAINING CONTINUES!

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

"While there's been some progress in negotiations, there's deep concern over Management's proposals to strip away existing benefits. Furthermore, it's troubling that Management is insisting bargaining committee members use their PTO for negotiations, a departure from the norm observed at other MultiCare bargaining tables." – Ramona Strassburg, Mental Health Technician.

Our Bargaining Team continues to negotiate with MultiCare Management and is pushing to hold on to existing benefits while securing union standards and improved working conditions. At this point:

• MultiCare is holding on their proposal to take away of pay in lieu of benefits Employees who opt out of healthcare and PTO.

• Management is not agreeable to our proposal to cover employment required vaccinations and testing for confirmed work exposures to TB and COVID - 19.

• MultiCare is not agreeable to any proposal outlining a fair process for FTE reduction.

• MultiCare Management has proposed to reduce PTO accrual rates for all salaried Employees.

• MultiCare’s last proposal on February 7 included NO MOVEMENT on their prior proposal showing that they are not unwilling to compromise on many important issues.

Our Bargaining Team is working hard on behalf of coworkers and will continue to focus on the above issues as well as proposed economics. Other bargaining dates that have been confirmed include February 14; we will be requesting additional future bargaining dates from the Employer.

Being informed and standing together as a union demonstrates our collective strength. Our unified efforts and voices have the power to shape the future of MultiCare Auburn Medical Center.

Contract Action Team Meeting
Drop by, discuss negotiations further, and give your input!

Thursday, March 21 @ 11am—1pm
Cascade Training Room

Questions? Contact Union Rep Ian Jacobson at 360-409-0587.

Northwest Center Early Supports Union Meeting ahead of Feb. 14 contract vote

This week we are working with NWC Leadership diligently to finalize the editing and review of the Early Supports Union contract. We expect to have the final vote documents available by no later than Friday morning and will email those out to everyone to review prior to the Contract Vote on Wednesday, Feb. 14. 

We encourage you to join us tomorrow February 7 at 8:30am for a joint Q&A with our union Bargaining Team and Northwest Center Leadership, to answer questions you have prior to reviewing the tentative agreement. 

We hope to see you at the Q&A tomorrow and at the in-person vote next week! 

Joint Q&A with Union Team and NWC Leadership: Wednesday, February 7 at 8:30 am via Teams 

Contract Vote: Wednesday, February 14 from 11:00am – 3:00pm
In-Person at Northwest Center South Park Office: 7272 W Marginal Wy S, Seattle, WA 98108

Team meetings will be adjusted so that we can participate in the vote. If you are sick or unable to attend due to remote work, please email Kvaldez@ufcw3000.org, to receive a zoom link to ask questions. Voting will only be conducted in-person. 

If you have questions, please reach out to Union Representative Ian Jacobson, 206-436-6550. 
Follow Early Supports Union on Facebook and Instagram: @earlysupportsunion

MultiCare Health System Bargaining Dates Confirmed!

After over a month of pushing MultiCare for dates, our Union Negotiating Committee has confirmed this Thursday, February 8 as our first bargaining date with the employer. We have also confirmed the following dates for negotiations:

2/8 2/12 2/15 3/1 3/6 3/15 3/21 4/11

Due to the employer’s delay, we are unlikely to reach an agreement before our contract expires at the end of this month. However, we will work with MultiCare to sign a contract extension to ensure that all provisions of our contract remain in place after scheduled expiration.

UFCW 3000 members in the new Auburn Medical Center (AMC) Professional unit already started negotiations a few months ago for their very first contract. Their negotiations have foreshadowed what we can expect with MultiCare, with management telling the AMC Professional Negotiating Committee that they plan to propose similar takeaways when they get to the table with our committee.

Specifically, MultiCare has already signaled their intentions to propose the removal of pay in lieu of benefits, a reduction in Union Representatives’ access to our workplace, and the potential elimination of consecutive weekend pay.

Our Union Negotiating Committee is preparing for what could be a difficult fight with MultiCare, and the best way you can help is to join regular Contract Action Team (CAT) meetings. CAT meetings bring together workplace leaders for in-depth discussions about negotiations and strategic planning to secure a fair contract.

RSVP to the next Contract Action Team meeting on March 5! RSVP to a meeting here >>

Harbors Home Health and Hospice From Heroes to Zeroes?!

Our Bargaining Team (L—R): Michal Bishop, LPN; Sarah Schimelpfenig, RN; Shelbie Graff, RN

“This is about loyalty to me. We’ve been here through really challenging & difficult times - and this is their response?” —Shelbie Graff, RN

We met to bargain with Harbors Home Health & Hospice back-to-back on February 1 and February 2nd to continue our fight for higher wages, better working conditions, and equity for both new & existing employees.

Throughout every year of the pandemic, Health Care workers across the country were called heroes; recognition for our dedication & persistence to provide the life-saving care we always have. Harbors, however, seem to have something else in mind- proposing a ZERO percent increase to our wage scale.

While we fight for equity & fairness at the bargaining table - we’re asking our coworkers to fight alongside us:

Sign the petition demanding that Harbors meet the challenges of the new year, and pay us fairly!

Join us for a bargaining update meeting to get information on ongoing negotiations, and strategize around how to achieve the pay we deserve!

Contract Action Team Meeting Tuesday, February 13 @ 4PM—6PM at Hoquiam Timberland Library, 420 7th St, Hoquiam, WA 98550

Providence Meal Waiver Update

On February 2, we met with PRMCE management to bargain over the language in the meal waiver. During the meeting, one key concern we addressed was the current challenge of short staffing, leading to delays or missed meal periods for many employees. In response to this issue, we urged Providence to formulate a plan that ensures all receive their breaks promptly.

To address these concerns effectively, we proposed several modifications to the meal waiver language. Our proposal included incorporating educational elements on meal periods, providing the option to waive a second meal period for eligible individuals, waive the timing of meal breaks, and introducing the choice between a 12.5-hour shift (with two meal periods) or a 13-hour shift (with two meal periods) for 12-hour shift staff.

Despite presenting our proposal, Providence has not yet responded to our proposal.

If you have already signed the meal waiver or feel pressured to do so, please be aware that you have the option to withdraw your waiver. Additionally, we encourage you to reach out to our union representatives, Anthony Cantu (RN) and Jack Crow (Pro and Tech), for guidance and support. Alternatively, you can contact the Washington Department of Labor and Industries.

For your convenience, we have prepared guidelines to meal periods, which you can download below:

“We have a right to meal periods and PRMCE should be working to establish a plan. Staff should be able to take their breaks on time and have safe working conditions.” — Cali Drake, RN 8N

Time for ACTION at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center

The bargaining team met with the employer on January 30 for a very long bargaining session. We began the session with some testimonies from the team to try and help management understand the reason for our complete comprehensive proposals. Providence seemed to have listened and made some movement. The employer did finally withdraw their proposal of the elimination of the medical benefit guarantees protected by our contract but maintained their proposal to eliminate the Dental and Vision Guarantees that are in our current contract. The bargaining team is working on a counter to the employer's package proposal (all or nothing proposal) and will be ready to present it at our next session on February 6, 2024.

Come to the Contract Action Team meeting on February 8, 2024 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Spokane office, 2805 N. Market St., Spokane WA, to get exact information on what is happening at the bargaining table and be part of planning what happens next.

The bargaining team launched a button up action on January 30. If you don’t have your button, please reach out to our bargaining team and make sure you wear the button daily. Let’s show Providence our readiness to take action if we fail to reach an agreement and that we are united for a fair contract.

We started a pledge to strike petition on January 10 and are over majority. If you haven’t already, please submit your strike pledge today.

>>> Sign the Strike Pledge

Contact our bargaining team or your representative Juanita Quezada at (509) 340-7407 if you have any questions.

Our Bargaining Team: Joseph Sikkila, Respiratory Therapist; Craig Kistler, MHC; Derek Roybal, CV Tech; Lee Lidman, IR Tech; Janelle Mathias, Pharmacy Technician; Miriam Critelli, Pharmacy Technician; Shane Sullivan, Peds Echo; Teresa Bowden, Respiratory Therapist; Holly Granly, Surgical Technologist; Angela Holmes, Surgical Technologist;

Labcorp - Management’s Proposal Results in Pay Cuts

Our LabCorp negotiating team met with management on January 12 and 22. We were able to come to a tentative agreement on some of our non-economic contract improvements, but we continue to oppose LabCorp’s economic proposals. The latest session confirmed that their current wage and health insurance proposals would result in pay cuts for many members. This is unacceptable.

For context, we want to share some thoughts about the email update that LabCorp regional management sent to us in December.

• $19.97 is the new 2024 Seattle minimum wage, so LabCorp is proposing a 0% base rate increase for Lab Assistants (and Mail Clerks, Material Handlers, Patient Intake Reps, and Service Reps).

• This table tells us LabCorp believes 0.05¢ above minimum wage is a competitive rate for Patient Service Techs and PST Specialists.

• “Ghost Steps” are highlighted but not explained; Med Techs would receive the rate increase after Step 21 only once and stay at that rate until they reached Step 25.

• LabCorp chose not to include that they are only offering a 2% yearly COLA increase and that they have rejected market increases to differentials and premiums.

• The update does not account for LabCorp’s health insurance proposal, which would increase monthly costs and raise the annual out of pocket maximum, resulting in pay cuts for most employees who hit that maximum.

In the last three years, the cost of living in Seattle has increased by 21%. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, it took nine years for costs to grow that much. While LabCorp insists that it’s not the employer’s responsibility to offset unprecedented inflation and cost of living increases, our members and our patients shoulder the consequences of crucial lab positions remaining unfilled and draw sites being closed daily.

To remain competitive, LabCorp must raise wages. This isn’t just about fair pay—it’s about solving our staffing shortages and ensuring we can deliver the service our community deserves.

We’re not backing down. Join our Union Rep and Bargaining Team at our upcoming drop-in CAT meetings to discuss negotiations, future actions, and how to win the contract we deserve. Issaquah meeting dates to come in the following weeks.

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Drop-in Contract Action Team Meetings

James Tower @ the cafeteria

• 6:30am - 10:00am on Wednesday, February 7

• 5:00pm - 7:30pm on Thursday, February 8

First Hill @ the cafeteria

• 6:00am – 9:00am on Wednesday, February 14

• 5:00pm - 7:30pm on Thursday, February 15

Virtual

• 6:30pm - 7:30pm on Sunday, February 11

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

New Member Orientation

Are you a new employee? Join us online to meet your Union Representative, fill out your membership application, and learn about your contract and your rights at work. If you are still within your 6-month probationary period, you can receive a $50 credit towards your initiation fees. If you’re unsure about your membership status, please contact Christie Harris at (206) 436-6606.

• 7:00am – 8:00am via Zoom on the first Tuesday of every month: Feb 6, Mar 5

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

Mason Health RN Bargaining Update: Significant Progress Made

Bargaining Team: Nancy Ownby, Megan Corbin, Tori Willis

We have been working long hours this week, trying to reach agreement on a new contract that brings us up to the standards of other local hospitals and keeps us competitive over the next three years.

This has been a complicated process, and we have dug deep into many internal hospital practices and policies. In the process, we have challenged management on many levels. We have made significant progress and are hoping we can get to a tentative agreement soon.

Stay tuned for additional information.

Need to update your contact information on file with the union? Click here >>

Discovery Behavioral Healthcare - Tentative Agreement Reached!

On Tuesday, January 30 and Wednesday, January 31, our Union Bargaining Team met with Management for our third and fourth all-day sessions to try to reach agreement on a new three-year union contract. After multiple passes of proposals back and forth between our two teams, we were able to reach a fully recommended tentative agreement!

Improvements to the Collective Bargaining Agreement that make us excited to recommend a “Yes” vote include:

• Creation of proper wage scales for Recovery Coaches and our Law Enforcement Navigator.
• Overall improvements to the scales of multiple job classifications for greater recruitment and retention to Discovery Behavioral Healthcare.
• A seven percent (7%) cost of living adjustment for all job classifications retroactive to January 1 of this year, with additional three percent (3%) adjustments in 2025 and 2026.
• Recognition of longevity for those employees with DBH five years or more.
• A $50 increase to the cap on what the employer will pay if healthcare premiums increase in 2025 or 2026 (up from $550 to $600).
• Improvements to the orientation period language for new hires.

We will conduct an in-person contract ratification vote on-site at Discovery Behavioral Healthcare in the conference room in the administrative building from 10:30 AM–5:00 PM on Wednesday, February 14. UFCW 3000 members in good standing are encouraged to attend the meeting, ask questions, and vote on the contract. Contact a Bargaining Team member or your Union Representative for any questions..

“We are feeling satisfied that we have accomplished a good contract for our co-workers, and we appreciate the thoroughness and support of our Bargaining Team.” —Lenora Johnson

Our Bargaining Team, left to right: Patrick Hart, Case Manager; Lenora Johnson, Case Manager; Heather Hammett, Administrative Assistant

Know your Rights! Providence Meal Waiver

UFCW 3000 is working with Providence to address the Meal Waiver situation. We consider the language in the meal waiver to be a direct negotiation with employees since Providence is asking you to waive rights outlined in our contracts. We want to ensure that you receive appropriate compensation for missed or late meal periods and that your contract is not negatively impacted.

For shifts of 11 hours or more: If your shift length is 11 hours or more, you are entitled to two 30-minute meal periods. If you are currently only receiving one 30-minute meal period and have not waived your second meal period, you may be entitled to compensation. Additionally, the employer may extend your shift based on the language in the CBA and past practices in order to accommodate your second meal period.

It is your right to waive the second meal period, but you may miss out on overtime pay for missing your second meal period if you choose to waive it. While we recommend not waiving your second meal period, the decision to do so is ultimately yours.

We will be holding a Zoom meeting on Monday, February 5, from 6 - 7 pm for all Providence members to ask questions about the meal waiver. Join the meeting at that time by clicking here:

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please reach out to your union rep:

• Anthony Cantu (Providence Everett RNs): 206-436-6566

• Jack Crow (Providence Everett Pros and Techs): 206-436-6614

• Madison Derksema (Providence St. Peter, Providence Radiant Care, and Providence Centralia): 206-436-6603

• Lenaya Wilhelm (Providence Holy Family and Sacred Heart): 509-340-7369

• Juanita Quezada (Providence Sacred Heart Techs and Providence St. Mary): 509-340-7407

• Amy Radcliff (Providence Mt. Carmel and St. Joseph): 509-340-7370

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Health Care Rest Breaks & Meal Periods: Know Your Rights and Your Contract

Shift Length	Rest Breaks	Meal Period
4-5 hour shift	10 min* x1	0
8-hour shift	10 min* x2	30 min x1
10-hour shift	10 min* x2	30 min x1
12-hour shift	10 min* x3	30 min x2
16-hour shift	10 min* x4	30 min x2

*10 minutes is the WA State minimum. If your contract bargaining agreement (CBA) states 15 minutes, you should receive 15-minute rest breaks

• You must receive a paid rest break for every four (4) hours worked.

• You cannot waive your right to a rest break.

Meal Period: Your right to a meal period

A meal period cannot be substituted for breaks: Any employee who works more than four (4) hours gets their breaks as outlined above, and any scheduled meal period.

You are entitled to a 30-minute uninterrupted meal period when working more than five hours. The first meal period must be between the second and fifth hour worked. If you work 11 hours or more during the day, you must receive a second meal period no later than five (5) hours after the end of your first meal period.

Interrupted Mealtime: If you are required to stay on duty during a meal break you are still entitled to 30 total minutes of mealtime, excluding interruptions, plus 30 minutes of pay. Time spent performing the work task is not considered part of the meal period. The entire meal period must be paid no matter the number of interruptions. For example, if you received a 30-minute meal break but had to answer your work phone throughout then you should be paid 30 minutes for your meal period and receive a total of 30 minutes (non-consecutive) mealtime. 

Late Mealtime: If you are not given time to have a 30-minute mealtime, you must be paid for your time worked plus 30 minutes. Paying employees 30 minutes for the meal period does not absolve the employer’s responsibility to give you a late 30-minute unpaid mealtime when practicable.

The above is a general guideline to meal periods and rest breaks. For more in-depth information please contact your union representative OR download the Health Care Guide to Meal and Rest Breaks >>

Relevant Laws:

• WAC 296-126-092

• RCW 49.12.480

MHS Auburn Medical Center (Professional) - Return to the Bargaining Table!

MHS Auburn Medical Center (Professional)
Return to the Bargaining Table!

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

Our Bargaining Team has met with MultiCare Management since the new year started, and talks have mostly been productive.

• MultiCare Management has been agreeable to copy much of the language from the Tacoma General’s Professional contract.

• However, a fight is brewing on economics with the Employer already proposing to take away pay in lieu of benefits and consecutive weekend pay - both of which are guaranteed in other UFCW contracts.

• MultiCare is also threatening to convert all Employees to hourly. While that works for some, it doesn’t for other positions, so our Bargaining Team is proposing to maintain a salary option in some classifications.

Our Bargaining Team is working hard and will continue to focus on the above issues. Other bargaining dates have been confirmed for January 31, February 7 and 14; we will be requesting additional future bargaining dates from the Employer. We are committed to keeping everyone informed and engaged and will schedule regular bargaining update meetings.

Join your coworkers for the next meeting!
Drop by, stay informed, and give your input.

Engagement and involvement in this process are vital. Staying informed and standing together as a union demonstrates our collective strength. It’s important to remember that our unified efforts and voices have the power to shape the future of MultiCare Auburn Medical Center.

Wednesday, March 21 @ 11am—1pm
Cascade Training Room

QUESTIONS? Contact Union Rep Ian Jacobson @ (360) 409-0587.

Willapa Harbor Hospital - Bargaining Update

We continue to bargain with management over a new contract. We have addressed many issues, including competitive wages, premiums and benefits, consecutive work days, and scheduling of time off as well as nurse staffing (now that we are working under new staffing laws), and equity and diversity. Management has been somewhat receptive and seems to want to reach an agreement that keeps the hospital competitive.

We are meeting again on Thursday, February 1.

For additional information, contact a Bargaining Team Member or Union Representative Madison Derksema at (360) 409-0584. To update your information, visit our website.

WhidbeyHealth Service and Support - Bargaining Begins!

On Monday, January 22, our Union Bargaining Team met with Management for our first joint session. We presented some non-economic proposals and also continued discussions about other proposals amongst ourselves in our own Union caucus.

In the coming weeks between now and our next joint session, we intend to develop more proposals (both non-economic and economic) in order to prepare to meet with Management again on February 22.

"Management was willing to hear our initial proposals and we had a productive day of negotiations. They also were open to hearing what we had to say about application and security of lead roles. We look forward to our next bargaining session."
— Marilyn Faber, Patient Financial Services.

Bargaining Team Member:Marilyn Faber, Patient Financial Services; Liz Latiff, Health Unit Coordinator