Providence St. Peter Case Manager RNs MOU Ratified!

On Friday, February 23, a supermajority of Case Manager RNs voted to ratify our Memorandum of Understanding. This historic win, after nearly a year of bargaining, places us into the larger body of the Union bargaining unit with 1,100 other RNs at Providence St. Peter. It also assures us of the protections of all the provisions of the Union contract.

We want to thank our co-workers for standing in solidarity with us through what was a much lengthier process than we anticipated. If there are any questions, please reach out to Union Steward Mary Briles or call Union Representative Madison Derksema at (206) 436-6603.

Our Union Bargaining Team (left to right): Mary Briles, Case Manager; Melissa Macchiarella, Case Manager; [not pictured]: Alison Studeman, Case Manager

EvergreenHealth Monroe - Vote on proposed PTO increase

EvergreenHealth Monroe
Vote on proposed PTO increase

We have reached a tentative agreement with Management on an increase to PTO hours for all Employees. As this change will alter the collective bargaining agreement, we have scheduled a vote to review the changes.

You must be a Union Member in good standing to vote.

Our Bargaining Team recommends a “YES” vote!

Wednesday, March 6
11am—1pm and 4—6pm
EvergreenHealth Monroe - Café Corner Meeting Room, 14701 179th Ave SE, Monroe WA 98272

For additional information, contact Union Rep Jack Crow @ 206-436-6614.

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center Techs CONTRACT & ULP STRIKE VOTE SCHEDULED

After more than 14 hours of negotiations on February 22, we find ourselves not making a lot of movement at the table with Providence. We entered these negotiations with the goal of securing a fair and competitive agreement.

Although Providence made small movement on the dental benefits guarantee elimination, they continue to propose the elimination of guaranteed language for dental that is currently protected by the contract and replacing it with a proposal that will slowly deplete the benefits employees currently have. The Bargaining Team feels that the latest proposal is not only disrespectful but will only further chip away at our benefits package. We will continue to push back at the bargaining table with Federal Mediation on March 18, 2024 against employer proposals like eliminating the guarantee the employer pays 100% of Dental Premium for full-time employees and at least 50% for dependents. We will also continue to push for significant movement on wage increases to help recruit and retain staff, which we believe would improve staffing and patient care.

It is an unfair labor practice for Management to coerce members or to interfere in Union activities. Please advise the bargaining team or Union Representative if you believe your manager has engaged in any type of this behavior.

“Providence Sacred Heart is known for treating high acuity patients and rarely transfer patients, patients usually come to us. We take care of our patients and Providence should do the same and take good care of their staff.” —Joe Sikkila, Respiratory Therapy

Contract Review Meeting: Tuesday, February 27 from 6pm-8pm:

We encourage members to join their bargaining team and co-workers at the UFCW 3000 office for a bargaining update meeting on February 27 from 6p-8p to get updates and learn about next steps.

Contract and ULP Strike Authorization vote: Friday, March 1

We will be holding a Strike Authorization Vote and a Contract Vote on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 8am-11am, 1pm-4pm, and 5pm-8pm at the UFCW 3000 office: 2805 N. Market Street, Spokane WA. Our Bargaining Team recommends a “NO” vote on Providence’s last proposal and a “YES” vote to authorize a strike. You must be a member in good standing to vote. The Bargaining Team will be on-hand to answer any question you may have. All changes to the contract, including the last employer package proposal will be available at the vote.

“We had a long intense bargaining on 2/22. We did our job and kept pushing thinking we would be able to meet in the middle to get a deal.” -Holly Granly Surgical Tech

“The lack of ability to retain/recruit skilled staff continues to degrade patient safety, patient health, and staff safety.” -Derek Roybal CV Tech

PRMCE Post-Ratification Meeting

Join us on Thursday, February 29, at 7:30 PM for a Zoom meeting. We'll dive into the nuances of the new contract language and touch on topics such as the meal waiver, participation in the Hospital Staffing Committee (HSC), strategies for further improving workplace conditions at PRMCE, and discuss voter turnout.

While our contract was ratified, we must ensure that our new contract is enforced and we hold PRMCE accountable!

Thursday, February 29 at 7:30 PM

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

WhidbeyHealth (Service and Support) - Onward to Economics

WhidbeyHealth (Service and Support)
Onward to Economics

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

On February 22, our Bargaining Team met with Management for our second bargaining session. Both sides of the table presented proposals on multiple non-economic issues and came to tentative agreements on many of these. Throughout the process our Team felt that genuine progress was made.

Some items we are still in discussion about include:

• Lead assignments and how they are determined

• Remote and hybrid work

• Assignment of mandatory overtime

In our next session on Thursday, April 4, we will be delving into economics, including wages.

As Bargaining Team members, we feel it is important to get involved, and are learning about the process throughout these sessions! We take pride in the fact that we are at the table to represent all of our service and support co-workers.

We encourage our Union siblings to reach out to us to ask if there are questions about the bargaining process, or call Union Rep Celia Ponce-Sanchez @ 360-419 4678.

“We made movement today and feel that Management is listening to our proposals on these issues…” -Marilyn Faber, Patient Financial Services, Bargaining Team member

“As a first-time Bargaining Team member I regret not getting involved sooner in past contract bargains and am realizing now that knowledge is power!” -Liz Latiff, Health Unit Coordinator, Bargaining Team member

MultiCare Health Systems We proposed improvements to our contract and benefits

“MultiCare doesn’t do enough to honor employees who demonstrate excellence, a core MultiCare value, by working extra hours above their FTE. Our Negotiating Committee is determined to address this through improvements to our union contract.” — Julianna Van Enk – Pharmacist Tacoma General Hospital

We met with the Employer again on February 12 and 15. Our union Negotiations Committee proposed additional improvements on staffing language, PTO/EIT, bereavement leave, and proposed to add three new holidays to our Union contract (MLK, Juneteenth, Veterans Day). We also proposed significant improvements to the MHS healthcare plan, which has only gotten more expensive with worse coverage.

Proposed improvements include:

• Lower premium rates

• Bring back Healthy@Work discount

• Improve pharmaceutical coverage to non-MHS Rx

• Expand the First Choice Health Network (FCHN)

• Guardian Nurses

• Improved vison coverage

We also made a proposal around free parking, like the SJMC Tech have in their contract, but MultiCare refused the proposal. When asked why it was an issue since parking is currently free, MultiCare responded that they have considered charging workers for parking in the past and want to retain the option in the future. This is alarming and makes it even more important to win the language. We have secured an extension of the contract until March 31, 2024. Our next bargaining date is on March 1, 2024.

1. Sign up for a Contract Action Team meeting on March 5

2. Sign and share the petition, We Stand United for a Fair Contract at MultiCare

3. Join the Facebook Group, MultiCare Workers United for a Fair Contract

Stay up to date on all-things MultiCare bargaining and take action >>

PRMCE RN Contract Ratified!

Contract Ratified!

We've reached a significant milestone: on February 21, we successfully ratified our contract!An overwhelming majority of nurses approved the contract. We will be communicating participation numbers via text message and will be hosting a Zoom meeting where we will debrief the contract agreement. This victory includes groundbreaking contract language aimed at helping staffing challenges, marking a historic achievement for nurses. From the outset of negotiations, our primary focus has been to tackle the pressing issues of staffing shortages and patient safety concerns head-on. Throughout the bargaining process, we actively engaged with our patients and community to underscore the urgency of our staffing crisis.

Following months of intense negotiations, we collectively decided to take bold action by organizing a strike. Notably, this marks the first time RNs at PRMCE have taken such action. Through our unified stance, we sent a powerful message to PRMCE. Our new contract has not only set a precedent but also shown PRMCE that we are willing to fight for better staffing. 
Our new contract includes:

• Pay increases and ratification bonuses will be paid out on the second pay period following February 21 (April 12 paycheck)

• 12 month step progression on nurse’s anniversary dates

• Step correction for nurses who are at the incorrect step compared to their years of service at PRMCE

• One step for every year of nursing experience obtained prior to being hired at PRMCE

• Step correction for nurses who did not receive their correct step upon hire  

• $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

• $1000 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 issue can be resolved through binding mediation

• Charge Nurses shall NOT take a patient assignment

• Christmas Eve or December 26th 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

We will need to stay active over the next few years to enforce our contract and continue advocating for our patients and community. If you would like to get active in a workplace committee or receive training as a union steward please contact Anthony Cantu 360-409-0544.

Know your Rights! Providence Meal Waiver>>

Conifer St. Joseph & Conifer St. Elizabeth Union Meeting!

Wednesday, February 28
6:30 – 7:30pm
Online via Zoom 
All members welcome! 

We’re holding a bargaining kick-off meeting for all Conifer St. Joseph and St. Elizabeth members on Wednesday February 28th from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Join us online via Zoom to meet your team, get an introduction to collective bargaining, and share your goals for upcoming contract negotiations. Questions and discussion are welcome. 

Didn’t receive an email invitation? Update your contact information here. 

If you have any concerns about accessibility or using Zoom, please contact your Union Representative, Ian Jacobson, at 360-409-0587. 

Willapa Harbor Hospital - Contract Vote Scheduled

WILLAPA HARBOR HOSPITAL
CONTRACT VOTE SCHEDULED

We are happy to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract! Our Union Bargaining Team fully recommends this tentative agreement.

Highlights include:

• Significant wage increases for all Nurses

• Increases to premiums and differentials » Increased tuition reimbursement

• Increased Employer retirement Contribution

• Vacation scheduling language improvements

To vote you must be a union member in good standing.

If you or a coworker did not receive this notice, update your contact information at: ufcw3000.org/update-your-information

VOTE DETAILS
Wednesday February 28 @ 3pm — 7pm
Willapa Harbor Hospital — Cedar Conference Room, 800 Alder St, South Bend, WA, 98586

For additional information reach out to a Bargaining Team Member or Union Rep Madison Derksema @ 206-436-6603.

Discovery Behavioral Health - Contract Ratified

Our Bargaining Team, (L—R): Patrick Hart, Case Manager; Lenora Johnson, Case Manager; Heather Hammett, Administrative Assistant

“This new agreement is a positive step forward for our agency!” ­­—Lenora Johnson, Case Manager and Bargaining Team member

On February 14, our new Union contract was ratified! Our Union Bargaining Team thanks all of our coworkers for turning up to vote in favor of the tentative agreement!

If there are any questions about the new contract please ask any of our Union Bargaining Team members or call Union Rep Naomi Oligario (360) 662 1989.

Providence St. Peter Case Manager RNs - Tentative Agreement Reached - Our RN Bargaining Team fully recommends a YES vote

Providence St. Peter Case Manager RNs
Tentative Agreement Reached
Our RN Bargaining Team fully recommends a YES vote

Our Bargaining Team (L–R): Alison Studeman, Case Manager; Melissa Macchiarella, Case Manager; Mary Briles, Case Manager

“This tentative agreement will set a precedent for recognition of all types of previous nursing experience in the upcoming 2025 contract bargain in addition to placing Case Managers on the union wage scale now.”—Mary Briles, Case Manager RN

On February 15, our Union Bargaining Team met with Management, and after nearly a year of bargaining reached a tentative agreement!

We were able to win all provisions of the current nursing contract for all RN Case Managers. We fought tirelessly to be placed onto the existing RN wage scale for UFCW 3000 members. We were able to get Management to agree to recognize all years of nursing experience, including all subacute areas of nursing practice.

We will be holding the ratification vote on Friday, February 23. In order to vote you will need to fill out a union membership application at the vote.

Contract vote details
Friday, February 23 @ 11am—2pm
Providence St. Peter Hospital, Nisqually Conference Room

Directions to the Nisqually Conference Room:

• Upon entering the main entrance of the hospital, head right and travel past the information desk until you see the “Main Elevators” wall. You will have passed Starbucks on your left hand side.

• Take the “Main” elevator to Floor 2 (Café Level).

• Exit left off the elevator on the 2nd Floor. Turn right at the entrance to Cabrini’s (Café). Continue on this main corridor, through the cafeteria, off to the left, then right and go down the hall until you can turn right, then take the first left, then go right past the Lab and the Nisqually Room is at the end of the hallway.

Providence Sacred Heart Technical Bargaining Update

We met with the Employer again on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 and although the Employer moved off of the Medical benefits guarantee elimination, they continue to propose the elimination of guaranteed language for dental that is currently protected by the contract. The Employer stated that they want us to have the same benefits as non-represented employees, and not the same benefits as other represented employees such as your RNs and Service & Maintenance co-workers. The bargaining team feels there was minimal movement made and we have a long way to go. We will continue to push back at bargaining table on February 22, 2024 against Employer proposals like eliminating language in Article 13.6, that guarantees the employer pays 100% of Dental Premium for Full-Time employees and at least 50% for dependents. We will also continue to push for significant movement on wage increases to help recruit and retain staff, which we believe would improve staffing and patient care.

We have had reports of Management bringing around a bargaining update that shows what the Employer’s last proposal was. We have been told that it is not posted and only being shown by Management.

WHY? We believe that what they are showing employees is only a partial proposal that does not show the proposal to eliminate language in Article 13.6.

It is an unfair labor practice for Management to coerce members or to interfere in Union activities. Please advise your bargaining team or Union Representative if you believe your manager has engaged in any type of this behavior.

If you have not already done so please join your coworkers in signing the strike pledge

We encourage members to join their bargaining team and co-workers at the UFCW 3000 office for a bargaining update meeting to get updates and hear about next steps on February 27. We will also be holding a Strike Authorization Vote on March 1, 2024:

Bargaining Update Meeting

February 27

• 6pm - 8pm

Strike Authorization Vote

March 1, 2024

• 8am - 11am
• 1pm - 4pm
• 5pm - 8pm

UFCW 3000 office

2805 N. Market Street, Spokane, WA

As a member of your bargaining team, we are working very hard to bring our co-workers a contract we feel is fair and protects our benefits.

—Angela Holmes, Surgical Tech

We should not only be compared to local hospitals but also to Hospitals of similar size and services. We need to have competitive wages that reflect the work we do.

—Lee Lidman, IR CV Tech

Better wages lead to better staffing, which leads to better patient care. We have been working additional shifts for over 2 years. If the employer put that additional incentive pay into the wage scale, we would be able to recruit and retain experienced staff.

—Joe Sikkila, Respiratory Therapy

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.

---

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.