Skagit Regional Health - Creating a Better Future for All SRH Workers

Skagit Regional Health

Creating a Better Future for All SRH Workers

Bargaining Team: Marilyn Faber, Union Rep; Cindy Tjaden; Isabel Contreras; Kalisa Dolph; Britney Myers-Fuller; Ashley Price; Briana Hovsepian; Graydon Hingey; Michael Koenig; Annalise Pasillas; Elizabeth Mayor; Alina Delano; Micheal Schwartz

On October 24, we met with the Employer briefly and drafted the plan for the subsequent bargaining sessions. We will have a private meeting on October 30 to put together all the economic proposals. On November 6, we will present all the economic proposals to the Employer. This is the stage where we need to act together and show the Employer that we are committed to fighting for a contract that will carry all the benefits we deserve. If the SRH CEO does not have financial concerns about making ends meet, we shall not have that concern either. They have heard our committee over and over that we are striving for fair adjustments to all the contract language.

The Employer has inquired about an MOU on the tentative agreed-upon new language regarding Meals and Breaks, and has spread false statements that our Union is holding this matter. We have maintained our position that any tentative agreements are not official until the whole membership has had an opportunity to ratify the new contract.

On November 6, for the first time, the Employer is coming to our house to have the bargaining session. This is a healthier step towards building a stronger relationship and ensuring the pillars for a better future. We appreciate that the Employer has taken this initiative, and we hope this is a game-changer on our path to a better future.

Some Tentative Agreements Reached Include:

• Beginning bargaining sessions 90 days prior to expiration

• Language that will make us a stronger Union, with access to the right information

• Modified language to acknowledge Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• Improved language that will allow Shop Stewards to carry out their duties around the hospital and clinics

• Workers will have access to their CBA through the hospital intranet

• Language to bargain over job descriptions changes

• Language to protect workers going through immigration

• An email from the Employer acknowledges that the discipline has been removed and is no longer considered

Our subsequent bargaining sessions will be on November 6 and 14. There are possibilities of more bargaining days in December (if necessary); we will let you know in the next bargaining update. We encourage all members to keep wearing your Union colors in the workplace and join us for our CAT (Contract Action Team) meetings.

Contract Action Team Meetings

• November 10

• 6pm - 7pm

• UFCW 3000 Union Hall

• 1510 N 18th St

• Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Moving forward, CAT meetings will be every other Monday until the contract is ratified, same time, same location unless otherwise noted: November 24, December 8, December 22, etc.

“Narrowing our non-economics down so that we can prioritize economics”

— Ashley Price

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”

— Abraham Lincoln

If you have questions or would like to get more involved in organizing a fair contract, please reach out to your Union Rep, Marilyn Faber, at 1-866-210-3000, EXT. 4678.

Providence Sacred Heart Service and Maintenance - Bargaining Update

Bargaining Team: Kaye Balk, Registrar; Michael McDonald, ED Tech; Patty Martin, Financial Counselor; Nathan Burfeindt, Warehouse; Jessica Marvin, CNA II; Delia Acosta, Transport; Dawn Finley, Lab Assistant; Trevor Ford, Ambassador; Margaret Lauricella, Monitor Tech; Melissa Pringle, Sterile Processing

On October 28, our Bargaining Team met for the second time with management. We have made agreements on an additional holiday, increase in education, staffing, and updated language. Our team spent time working on economic proposals and we will be presenting these to the Employer at bargaining on November 4.

We want to hear your voices, so we hope you can attend the Contract Action Team Meeting tonight, October 29 at the UFCW 3000 office. If you are not able to attend tonight’s meeting, please attend the General Membership meetings on November 5 at the Spokane office!

Contract Action Team Meeting

October 29

5:30pm - 6:30pm

UFCW 3000 Office

2805 N Market St

Spokane, WA 99207

General Membership Meeting

November 5

8am, 1pm and 5pm

UFCW 3000 Spokane Office

2805 N Market St

Spokane, WA 99207

If you have questions or would like to get more involved in organizing a fair contract, please reach out to your Union Rep, Lenaya Wilhelm, at 360-409-0556.

“Informative.”

— Kaye Balk

“A long beginning, to continue to pray for success.”

— Patty Martin

“Bargaining was interesting, I think it went okay.”

— Delia Acosta

Cascade Valley Hospital - Bargaining Begins!

Bargaining Team: Tia Hafner, Access/Patient Registrar; Carl Ramirez, Security Guard/Security; Calley O’harra, ER Tech; Bruce Le, Union Rep; Cesar R Quiles-Borrero, Bargainer

On Thursday, October 23, we held our first joint bargaining session with the Employer.

We have introduced a set of non-economic proposals aimed at improving the quality of our jobs at Cascade Valley Hospital. The Employer proposed changes that the committee is evaluating, and we will provide an answer at the next bargaining session, which is scheduled for November 7.

Next Bargaining Sessions: November 7 and November 19. Stay alert for further news about how this negotiation is going.

If you have questions or would like to get more involved in organizing a fair contract, please reach out to your Union Rep, Bruce Le, at 1-866-210-3000, ext. 6614.

Join the Contract Action Team (CAT) Meeting via Zoom!

Friday, October 31 @ 6pm

Wenatchee Regional Eye Clinic - Bargaining Update

On October 22, our team met with the Employer and reviewed the Employer's economic proposal. We have responded and sent our proposal for their consideration. We are optimistic about reaching a tentative agreement for your vote soon. Let's show our unity and solidarity by wearing our UFCW 3000 buttons on November 6!

Bargaining Team: Martin Hernandez, Sarah Edwards, Cirri Cornelius

What's Next

Thursday November 6: Wear your UFCW 3000 button. Please reach out to one of your Bargaining Team members to get your button.

Send your solidarity photos to your Union Rep. We'll share them on the next update and the website!

Next Bargaining Sessions

• Monday November 10

• Monday November 17

How to Get Involved in Your Union

• Steward Training: How to Represent Co-Workers in Investigatory Meetings (Online) >>

• Intro Shop Steward Training (Online) >>

Update your information to ensure our team can send you all of the updates!

If you have questions, please reach out to your Bargaining Team or Union Rep, Becky Latzel, at (509) 340-7370.

Kaiser Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy - Bargaining Update

Kaiser Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy
Bargaining Update

Thank you for attending our Contract Action Meeting this week. It was good to hear from you and share more information about what's been happening in both local and national bargaining. We will let you know when we have information on another meeting.

Before we met with you Wednesday night, both the Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy teams met with Kaiser and bargained over market increases. These increases are specifically meant for positions that are not in line with other local health care providers. Market increases should be competitive, so Kaiser can hire workers. When Kaiser doesn't pay competitive wages, we all work harder to cover for unfilled positions.

We also bargained over how and when increases might be implemented. We do not currently have any agreement on the implementation dates for increases, but will continue discussions and advocating for timely implementation of all contractual economic improvements.

We are working towards a contract that is sustainable and encourages people to want to continue working with Kaiser.

Kaiser: Make a Commitment to Fair Wages!

We are scheduled to continue bargaining the National Agreement October 28-29 as well as working on the Pharmacy and Pro Tech Optical contracts.

For additional information contact a Bargaining Team member or:

Aisha Womack 206-436-6584 Union Rep

JJ Benson 425-306-1357 Contract Specialist

If someone you know isn't getting updates: Update Your Information >>

Pro Tech Optical Bargaining Team: Nicole Merriam, Sarah Lau, Ashleigh Aufort, Chandra Allen, Vicki Kobeski, Juli Bell, Bryana Kolppa

Pharmacy Bargaining Team: Cesar Galloso, Jason Lindquist, Kay Halverson, JJ Benson, Krystal Krotzer, Mark Stewart

Fresenius Medical Care - JOIN OUR INFO PICKET!

Union dialysis technicians at Fresenius Medical Care are fighting to win a fair contract and better working conditions. We need your support to ensure we can continue to provide vital patient care to our communities. Stand with us (and bring your voice!) at our upcoming Informational Picket! All patients, providers, families, friends, allies, and workers are welcome.

"Every single minute counts for dialysis treatment. Dialysis companies must listen to frontline caregivers: safer staffing and scheduling can't wait!"

— Fresenius Union Bargaining Team

Informational Picket RSVP >>

October 29
4pm - 5:30pm
Fresenius Kidney Care South Tacoma Clinic
5825 Tacoma Mall Blvd #103, Tacoma, WA 98409

See the Info Picket FAQ on the Contract Page >>

Providence Sacred Heart Service and Maintenance - Bargaining Begins

Providence Sacred Heart Service and Maintenance

Bargaining Begins

Our Union Bargaining Team: Kaye Balk, Registrar; Michael McDonald, ED Tech; Patty Martin, Financial Counselor; Nathan Burfeindt, Distribution; Lenaya Wilhelm, Union Rep; Margaret Lauricella, Monitor Tech; Melissa Pringle, Sterile Processing; Cesar Quiles Borrero, Union Bargainer; Trevor Ford, Ambassador; Dawn Finley, Lab Assistant; Jessica Marvin, CNA; Delia Acosta, Transport

On October 21 the Bargaining Team met for the first time with management. During the first bargaining meeting, we presented a number of non-economic proposals at the bargaining table. Those included staffing, rest and meal breaks, training, and a number of other items. Our subsequent bargaining dates will be on October 28, November 4, and November 12 when we expect to see economic proposals from both sides.

Now is the time to get involved and be a part of the process by joining us at the Contract Action Team Meeting.

Contract Action Team Meeting

• October 29

• 5:30pm - 6:30pm

• UFCW 3000 Office

• 2805 N Market St

• Spokane, WA 99207

“First bargaining session down—respectful dialogue, strong start, ready to work towards what we deserve.”

— Jessica Marvin

“It’s been a great experience to start working through bargaining with my fellow co-workers.”

— Margaret Lauricella

“Today was hopeful, I am optimistic for the future here.”

— Trevor Ford

“Improvement is a long arduous journey. We are on our way.”

— Nathan Burfeindt

If you have questions or would like to get more involved in organizing a fair contract, please reach out to your Union Rep, Lenaya Wilhelm, at 360-409-0556.

Planned Parenthood - Contract Ratified!

We overwhelmingly (90%) voted YES to ratify a new agreement at Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest, Hawai'i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky! Our resilience secured sustainable raises during a turbulent time, and we will keep fighting together for the working conditions we need to continue providing essential healthcare services for our patients and communities.

Agreement highlights include:

• 4% across-the-board wage increases (retroactively dated to June 1, 2025), effective after ratification

• Bonuses for all members, based on seniority, on the first paycheck in December 2025:

  • Years of Service Completed with Employer (As of June 1, 2025), Lump Sum Bonus

  • 0–5 Years, $1,000

  • 6–10 Years, $2,000

  • 11–15 Years, $3,000

  • 16+ Years, $5,000

• 2% across-the-board wage increases, effective after June 1, 2026

• Bonuses for all members, based on seniority, on the first paycheck in December 2026:

  • Years of Service Completed with Employer (As of June 1, 2026), Lump Sum Bonus

  • 0–5 Years, $1,200

  • 6–10 Years, $1,800

  • 11–15 Years, $2,600

  • 16+ Years, $3,200

• NO reductions to wages, premiums, health & welfare benefits, or retirement

• NO additional cost-sharing to employees for healthcare premium increases

• Vacation and sick time accruing per pay period with no reductions to the total amounts of days that can be earned or carried over annually—more info to come

• More equitable and consistent workforce development opportunities

• Commitments to address ongoing concerns regarding wage equity, clinic safety/security, and staffing and patient scheduling

View the full redline and vote highlights summary here >>

If you're interested in learning more about the contract or preparing for our next contract campaign, reach out to a member of our bargaining team, a steward, or our union rep.

Capital Medical Center - RN Case Manager Vote Notice

RN Case Managers will have the opportunity to vote on Friday, October 24, from 12pm to 1pm at the Cascade Room (in the cafeteria) on joining the new RN contract.

The full contract document will be available to review during the voting period and the new RN contract is available online on the UFCW 3000 Capital Medical RN contract page. To participate, you must complete a union membership application and vote in person.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative, Kimberly Starkweather, at (206) 436-6515.

Contract Vote Scheduled

October 24
12pm - 1pm
Cascade Room
In the cafeteria

Kaiser Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy - WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH STRIKING KAISER WORKERS!

The following National Alliance of Healthcare Workers Unions are holding a five-day strike October 14-18:

• UNAC/UHCP (California)

• HNHP Hawaii Nurses & Healthcare Professionals (Hawaii)

• UNITE HERE Local 5 (Hawaii)

• USW United Steelworkers 7600 (California)

• OFNHP AFT Local 5017 (Oregon and Southern Washington/Vancouver)

These contracts have all expired and workers are striking for better staffing, wages, and retirement benefits.

Our local contracts include Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy. The Pro Tech Optical contract expired on October 1. The Pharmacy contract will expire July 31, 2026.

We have continued to bargain local contracts. Last week we met with management for several days. We are working on local economics including market increases (getting KPWA positions closer to other area healthcare).

September 15-17 we emailed and texted asking you to let Kaiser know: NO PROGRESS NO PULSE! Thank you for sending Kaiser this message!

Last week we sent a letter to Greg Adams notifying him that we are putting a pause on partnership activities, notably:

• Regional and Local Labor Management Partnership Councils

• Workplace Safety Committees

• Attendance Committees and Reviews

• Unit-Based Teams (UBTs) and UBT Projects

• Steward Training Sessions

• Alliance-Partnership Representatives

• Workforce of the Future Initiatives

We are continuing to ask all KPWA UFCW workers: Will you do what it takes for this contract?

If you need a pledge card, reach out and we will make sure you get one.

You are invited to attend a virtual Contract Action Meeting. Find out what's happening in local bargaining, national bargaining, and next steps.

Children's Therapy Center - Bargaining Update—Session Cancelled

We are disappointed to share that management has canceled our upcoming bargaining session—which was scheduled for tomorrow, October 15—stating that their reason for doing so is a proposal which they felt was incomplete or missing information.

Specifically, management referenced our proposed "Caseload" language, which was intended to outline the anticipated workload of the various positions represented in our union contract, and includes factors like whether an employee is serving as a mentor, if they're a specialty coordinator for CHERISH, and so on. The proposed article we shared with the employer on October 3 outlines how different patient requirements are to be calculated together to ensure these are all considered in our overall workload.

After clarifying the language to the employer to show how the calculations would be completed based on the article—our bargaining team came together and drafted an example of a caseload document, which we then shared with the employer.

In summary, we shared that cancelling a session due to questions they have on certain proposal(s) feels counter intuitive to our bargaining team. We are hopeful that we have signaled our willingness to work with the employer and look forward to engaging in discussion and exchange of proposals at our next session on October 28.

Tonight, we have a Contract Action Team committee meeting, the details of which have been emailed out. This will be held with your representative Ian Jacobson and will help clarify any questions you might have.

Contract Action Team Committee Meeting

October 14, 2025
7pm