Unity of Unions Leads to Tentative Agreement for WSNA – coalition continues push for Agreements at all Providence Hospitals

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 7, 2020

SEIU Healthcare 1199NW
UFCW 21
WSNA

Unity of Unions Leads to Tentative Agreement for WSNA – coalition continues push for Agreements at all Providence Hospitals

This morning the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) announced the reaching of a Tentative Agreement in contract negotiations with Providence at Sacred Heart in Spokane. Over 13,000 nurses and health care workers of our three unions have been in contract negotiations with Providence for months to protect patient care and safety. SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW, UFCW 21, and WSNA stand united for patient care and safety and our unity has made us strong. This was the key to reaching the Tentative Agreement at Sacred Heart with WSNA. Now we will continue our hard work and unity to ensure that every worker at Providence gets a fair contract that helps protect patient care and safety and improves the working conditions at all these Providence hospitals across Washington.

Providence Can Do Better Candle light vigils: January 8

Providence Can Do Better
Candle light vigils
Join us Jan. 8

St. Peter – Olympia / 5pm Corner of Lilly Rd NE & Ensign Rd NE

Centralia / 5pm Corner of S Scheuber Rd & Cooks Hill Rd

Sacred Heart– Spokane / 5pm Cowley Park W 7th Ave & S Division St.

Holy Family -Spokane / 5pm Corner of N. Lidgerwood St & E Rowan Ave

Everett / 5pm Corner of Colby Ave & 13th St.

St. Mary’s – Walla Walla / 5pm Corner of S 7th Ave & W Poplar St.

Vigils are being held all across the state.

Tell Macy's Management not to abandon their downtown Seattle workers

Macy’s management is shutting-down their flagship store and shutting-out their career employees from the severance and health care they have earned.

Macy’s is still not offering a fair severance package to their most senior, and loyal members.  Macy’s is also trying to shove the costs of continued medical coverage on to laid-off workers.  This is much less than laid off workers from the recently closed Northgate store who had their medical insurance covered for 3 months, and were offered fair severance packages.

Here’ is some sample text that you can use in your message to Macy’s:

“Macy's shouldn't abandon its most senior and loyal employees. You should offer associates a severance package that honors all associates' total time dedicated to your company. Shame on you for offering a lesser healthcare transition than other displaced Macy's employees have received in the past. Macy’s should treat their workers equally and with respect.”

Send you message to Macy’s Management by pressing the button below.

Macy’s workers need your help, please go to https://survey.medallia.com/?mcy-tuwyt-store, choose Washington State, Seattle Downtown, and click “next.”  Then choose Complaint and General Feedback, and let Macy’s know you feel about their substandard proposal. 

Progress in Negotiations Results in Postponement of Strike Date

(Jan. 3, 2020)

—After ongoing discussions, the three unions representing 13,000 health care workers at 13 Providence hospitals statewide have agreed to pause plans to announce a strike. The parties have made significant progress on key issues. The parties will go back to the table to continue bargaining their respective contracts. We are committed to working through outstanding shared interests regarding patient safety, workplace violence prevention, and recruitment and retention.

For many months, and in some cases more than a year, health care workers and nurses at Providence Hospitals across Washington have been in contract negotiations. Because of ongoing challenges and a lack of progress to protect patient care and safety, these workers passed strike authorization votes in October. Negotiations in November and December did not produce adequate progress. However, over the last 24 hours joint discussions with all three unions – UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW and WSNA – and Providence have resulted in the most significant progress to date. As a result of this progress, and the commitment to hold ongoing negotiations during the coming days, the unions have agreed to pause today’s filing of the 10-day notice of a strike.

A message to the membership of UFCW 21

A message to the membership of UFCW 21

 The decade has come to a close. We are grateful for all the struggles we have had together and for the successes of making the lives of working people better here locally, around the nation, and the world. We have advocated for and won advances that have improved the working conditions and communities for millions with higher wages, paid sick leave, paid family leave, improved scheduling, better workplace safety, and protected the voice of workers at work. We have improved voting access, health care coverage, helped pass climate change reforms and the list goes on and on.
 
And yet, we as a society are threatened by a shrill sense of hatred and intolerance that has been spreading. This rise in hatred and intolerance, including but not only limited to racism, sexism, xenophobia, and antisemitism is a threat to the social fabric of our country and undermines our efforts to build worker power. As recently as the days leading up to New Year’s, there were attacks on the Jewish community that were based on terror and anti-Semitism. And attacks on people of color are a daily tragedy. Through our work within our union and across our society, we have been highlighting and seeking to address at a fundamental level the racist policies and attacks on women, people of color, immigrants, the LGBTQ community, and many others in our nation.
 
The reality is that we are all better off when we stand together against intolerance, indifference, and bigotry. It is our hope that with united action, together, we can make headway in the next decade, much like we made in the last and at the same time achieve a major shift in the causes of racism, violence, and economic, social and political injustice.
 
Peace be with you,
 
Faye Guenther, President and Joe Mizrahi, Secretary Treasurer

When we stand together, we win! Thank you!

When we stand strong and stand together, we win. Over the last twelve months we built a successful campaign for a fair contract through our actions, our stories, and our unity. Back in November of 2018, a record number of members from stores all across the region participated in the bargaining survey which provided the focus, direction, and priorities for our member bargaining team. The next twelve months would see us come together for Contract Action Team meetings, community partner gatherings, leaflets, neighborhood canvasses, and then summer informational pickets. During it all we wore our buttons, united with other UFCW members up and down the West Coast, and shared 25,000 Better Jobs–Better Communities union grocery store bags with our customers and community allies.

Because of our shared strength and purpose we ratified the strongest grocery store contract in decades, with no takeaways. We did this together; every department, every store, every community. Together, we win.

A strong new contract means new language about our rights and wages to learn, be trained on, and enforce. Sign up for safety training, Steward training, member action teams, and more.

Here’s what UFCW 21 members are saying about our new contract:
(if you’re on your phone and don’t see the quotes, turn your phone sideways)

“I’ve been working in the deli for 21 years. I never thought I’d see these wages. I wore my union button the whole time, I went to both info pickets. I am so excited!” -Madeline, Safeway deli

“I was really surprised that there were no takeaways. I’m glad to be part of a union that gets stuff done.” -Stefanie, QFC Meat/Seafood

“This is outstanding. Look at the whole package.” -Dave, Safeway, 41 year member

“This is the best contract we’ve gotten in years.” -Dee (L), Fred Meyer

“We addressed the pension, which is important to me. I like the fact that there’s something in there for journey people. I’ve been here for 30 years.” -Susie, Fred Meyer Alderwood

“We’re very fortunate to have this health care. The cost of health care is skyrocketing.” -Harry, Issaquah Safeway, 12 years

“I think it’s a great contract! And we won’t have to worry about our pension.” -Angela, Fred Meyer

“We like the scheduling. You can get the days you want, and the days off you want.” -Honesta (R), Albertsons Renton

“Right now, my schedule is closing at 9pm, and coming back in at 7 in the morning. That’s not enough time to rest. I want to pick my day off.” -Keo (L), Albertsons Renton

“It’s good that the union looked at safety this time.” -Carson (R), U-District Safeway, UFCW member since 1973

“My husband lost his insurance & is on different insurance now, and we’re really learning how important our good health coverage is. I’ve been with QFC for 20 years, and you don’t realize until you lose it just how good the coverage is. When I go to the eye place, they say, ‘You have great insurance!’ I’m putting him back on mine as soon as I can. Nothing’s changing, and that’s great! You’re not going to get these benefits anywhere else.” -Patricia, QFC Pine Lake

“I worked at nonunion jobs for 15 years, and this is my first union contract vote. After talking to my coworkers, I feel really good about it.” -Caitlin (L), Lynnwood Fred Meyer

“I’m really impressed by this contract. There’s more work to be done, but I’m really pleased.” -Donna, Safeway

“We feel really good about this contract. Thanks for fighting for us!” -Maninder (R), Auburn FM

“I think you did awesome! Thanks for all your hard work, bargaining team.” -Rosie, Auburn Fred Meyer

Puget Sound Grocery Store Workers are proud of a contract that includes:

• Strongest journey wage increases in UFCW 21’s history.

• Full back pay to expiration .

• A long-term solution to our pension with projected improvements.

• Health care benefits that are projected to be fully-funded, include benefit improvements and NO increases to premiums or deductibles.

• First scheduling overhaul in decades, giving us more control over our schedules.

• Strong safety language for the first time ever in our contract.

• A plan for the future of technology and workforce training.

• Protections for our wage scales, so as minimum wage goes up, so do our wage steps.

• NOT ONE SINGLE CUT OR TAKEAWAY!

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Members have been reporting that they are receiving their retro-pay checks and journey pay increases, be sure to check your check!

Retro-pay:

• Journey persons under contracts that expired before contract ratification are entitled for retro-pay under the newly negotiated pay scale. Check with your Steward or call your Rep if you think you were eligible but have not received retro-pay.

New minimum wage:

• On January 1st, the state’s minimum wage goes to $13.50 an hour, and all wages by contract are at least 10¢ above minimum and each step at least 10¢ above the last step. Our union was one of the leading forces that helped pass the law that requires the minimum wage to rise as the cost of living goes up.

Look closely at pay around the holidays:

• For work after 6 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, you should be paid time and a half.

• All hours worked on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and other holidays is paid at time and a half. In addition, if you qualify for Holiday Pay, make sure you receive it.

If you think you have a problem, read the contract and contact your steward, or call your Rep.

Providence United Update - December 27, 2019

Providence United Update 12/27/19

Now that the Christmas holiday is past, we wanted to send out an update to let you know that on the day before Christmas Eve, our Providence Bargaining Teams began high-level conversations with Providence aided by a federal mediator. These conversations are ongoing with future dates set for January 2 and January 3. Due to the nature and guidelines of these proceedings, we are limited in what information we can share at this time.

One thing we can share is that this first meeting was historic for many reasons. For the first time in UFCW 21 history, every Providence hospital represented by UFCW 21 joined together to discuss bargaining strategy and how to move forward in unison. We stand united and are working very hard to secure a favorable and acceptable contract that respects the work we do and improve care and safety for ourselves and our patients. 

Strike Preparation for Patient Care and Safety Continues Full Speed Ahead

As we prepare for and hold these bargaining meetings, we also continue to do the necessary work to prepare for a strike in case these meetings are not successful. We also continue to coordinate and work closely with SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW and WSNA. The plan for a ULP Strike requires tremendous levels of work by staff and members alike.

Keep connecting with your workplace leaders and Union Representative. We are planning a Live Telephone Town Hall phone call for 7PM (7:00PM PST) on January 2 to provide you updated information and answer your questions live along with the leadership and members of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and WSNA.

Whidbey Medical Center - Contract Vote Scheduled

We have reached a tentative agreement with Whidbey Medical Center! Our Bargaining Team is fully recommending a “YES” vote!

UFCW 21 members in good standing are encouraged to attend a meeting, ask questions, and vote on the contract. Details of the tentative agreement will be available at the voting locations. Contact a Bargaining Team member or your Union Representative for any questions.

Monday, January 16 *NEW TIMES ADDED
Whidbey Medical Center
7AM - 9AM, 11AM - 2PM, 4PM - 6PM
Board Room (across from HR office)

Tuesday, January 7
North Island Clinics: Cabot Clinic
8:00 am - 10:00 am
Breakroom

Goldie Clinic
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Breakroom

South Island Clinics:
Clinton Clinic
8:00 am - 10:00 am
Breakroom

Freeland Clinic
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Breakroom

Friday, January 10
Whidbey Medical Center
7AM - 9AM, 11AM - 2PM, 4PM - 6PM |
Board Room (across from HR office)

Multicare - Winning in 2019

Providence Mt. Carmel - Bargaining Team Recommends "Vote No and Reject Management's Offer"

Contract Vote Cancelled

After lengthy negotiations with our union collegues throughout Washington state, Providence has agreed to withdrawal their short-term disability plan. Consequently, the plan to vote on January 7 and January 8 is cancelled until further notice.

The bargaining team is encouraged by management's changes at the table will bring a fair settlement at Mt. Carmel.

For questions, please contact your Union Representative Maureen Hatton at (509)340-7370.

UFCW Statement on USMCA

December 18, 2019

UFCW Statement on USMCA Trade Deal Ahead of Vote in Congress

America’s Largest Private Sector Union Welcomes Improved Labor Standards in Deal, But Condemns Failure to Strengthen Food Safety and U.S. Food Industry Jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) President Marc Perrone released the following statement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ahead of the vote in the U.S. House of Representatives: 

“This new trade deal makes important improvements to the original NAFTA, including improving the enforcement of labor standards; requiring the inspection of Mexican factories; and closing loopholes that have made it hard to prosecute labor violations.

“However, UFCW is extremely disappointed that the agreement fails to require strong country-of-origin labeling needed to strengthen food safety and invest in the millions of American jobs that produce our food. Consumers have a right to know where their food is from, whether it’s safe, and if it’s produced by American workers. Without strong country-of-origin labeling, consumers will be kept in the dark and America’s food workers will continue to face unfair competition from foreign companies not playing by the same rules.

“No single trade deal is enough to fix an economy that’s not working for millions of Americans. Our members will continue to call on Congress and the White House to put hardworking families first by pushing for strong country-of-origin labeling for food and passing legislation like the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO Act) that strengthen protections for all workers.”

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The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 1.3 million professionals and their families in grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries.

Our members help put food on our nation’s tables and serve customers in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at www.ufcw.org

Providence United Update - December 17, 2019

Coming Together for a Stronger Voice

On Monday 12/16, UFCW 21 members from Sacred Heart and Holy family were joined by UFCW 21 bargaining team members from Everett, Centralia, and St. Peter’s as well as leadership of UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, and WSNA. This is one example of how we are working even more closely since signing our new Unity commitment last week and pledging to work more closely for patient care and safety.

When thousands of nurses and health care workers all come together across our three unions we can improve patient care and safety. That is what we have been working to accomplish since Day 1 of bargaining. When a corporation has $11 billion in reserves, they have more than enough money to take care of patients and those of us who care for the patients every day.

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Unfair Labor Practice Charges Mount

UFCW 21 has increased our Unfair Labor Practice charges against Providence as a result of intimidation, surveillance, unlawful polling, threatening lockout if employees do not pledge to cross our picket lines, and their attempt to weaken our health plan without negotiating with us. All of this is illegal and we have filed our charges with the federal government. Similar unfair labor practice charges have been filed by WSNA and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW. 

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Advancing Our Efforts

UFCW 21 members at Providence held a live Telephone Town Hall last week and were able to answer questions from members on the strike planning.

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Governor Inslee calls on Providence CEO to bargain in good faith.

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Strike hotline and website to update and inform workers and patients: 

Hotline:
1-800-732-1188, ext 6550.

Website:

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Next Bargaining 

Tuesday 12/17
We go to into negotiations at St Mary’s in Walla Walla.
 



Grocery Store Bargaining Update: Final Counties Vote to Ratify Contract

Final Counties Vote to Ratify Contract

Just over a year ago, leaders kicked off the 2019 Grocery Store contract campaign, and today we celebrate the final counties voting to ratify this historic contract. In total, nearly 30,000 grocery store workers throughout Puget Sound have won significant wage increases and new workplace protections, including:

• Strongest journey wage increases in UFCW 21’s history

• Full back pay to expiration

• A long-term solution to our pension with projected improvements

• Health care benefits that are projected to be fully-funded, include benefit improvements and NO increases to premiums or deductibles

• First scheduling overhaul in decades, giving us more control over our schedules

• Strong safety language for the first time ever in our contract

• A plan for the future of technology and workforce training

• Won protections for our wage scales, so as minimum wage goes up, so do our wage steps.

• NOT ONE SINGLE CUT OR TAKEAWAY!

If you have any questions about your contract, please speak with your Shop Steward or Union Rep, or use the UFCW 21 App.

Want to get involved and get training?

Sign up for safety training, Steward training, member action teams, and more.

Providence United Update - Unity Commitment Announced for Patient Care and Safety by Three Unions at Providence - December 10, 2019

Unity Commitment Announced for Patient Care and Safety by Three Unions at Providence

After many months of taking action together, and also coordinating our unions and taking strike authorization votes, our unions’ leadership feels that now is the time to take the next steps in our campaign. We recently made an unity commitment to heighten our level of coordination and express our pledge to each other as we move ahead on our campaign for fair contracts. In a historic moment , UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and WSNA leadership have pledged to coordinate efforts that will move us all forward as healthcare workers and achieve the critical advances needed at Providence to provide better patient care and safety. 

The essence of our unity commitment is: If you take on one of us, you take on all of us.   

We are all negotiating with a massive employer that made $24 billion in revenue and has $11 billion in reserves. Providence is a single employer whose actions of putting profits before patients threatens the care and safety of our patients, our communities and our members. We recognize that we can push back against Providence most effectively when we work together as a team.
 
Thousands upon thousands of our members, in counties spanning the state, work for this employer that is a registered non-profit making billions in profit. Providence has refused to address concerns over patient care and safety. They have continued to make proposals that would take away tens of millions of dollars of member benefits that have been earned over decades. They have failed to offer compensation that would help recruit and retain high-quality staff in all our facilities.

Our members made their opinions clear in an unprecedented show of unity when they voted to authorize strikes for patient care and safety throughout the state of Washington. Now, we as the leaders of our three unions have taken the unprecedented step of entering into this unity commitment to guide and focus our coordinated efforts, so that we may more effectively negotiate with Providence and ultimately reach new contracts that protect workers and patients alike.

Providence United Update - December 6, 2019

Providence United Update 

Over 15,000 nurses and health care workers at Providence hospitals and clinics across Washington have voted to authorize a strike to protect patient care and safety. These workers are members of our three different unions: UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and WSNA. Our workplaces cover the state, Spokane to Seattle, from Centralia to Snohomish County, and we are all standing united as we negotiate new contracts that will allow for us to care for our patients, our families and ourselves. The strike votes that took place in late October were the very first time union health care workers from all our workplaces have voted to strike at the same time.
 
It has taken many, many months to get to this point in negotiations. While so-called nonprofit Providence cleared $24 billion in revenue and over $7 billion in profit in Washington, and has paid top executives millions, their lackluster proposals for our new contracts fail to adequately address safety, staffing and other workplace concerns raised by employees. At the same time, they continue to push to take away our hard-earned benefits, benefits that some workers have been earning for decades.
 
Problems in the Seattle area showcase how widespread the problems are: “I didn’t become a nurse to provide minimal care,” says Carol Lightle, a charge nurse in a Medical Oncology unit at Swedish Issaquah and member of SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW. “Every healthcare worker could tell you that, and all of us face the same issues. The short staffing is the same in Environmental Services, our coworkers who disinfect patient’s rooms; it’s the same in Materials Services where our coworkers resupply our units; it’s the same in nutrition services. We work together as a team to deliver patient care. And when a part of our team is short-staffed our patients feel it.”
 
Drive four hours east and you find the same problems. “As an Emergency Room Assistant at Sacred Heart, I see patients and their families in times of greatest need,” says Jose Hernandez of UFCW 21. “They are counting on Providence to provide the highest quality care, but too often Providence is putting profits first. I am ready to strike for my patients and ensure their health is always our top priority.”

Taking Action Together

We took our concerns to donors of a Providence supported charity on December 4. We raised our concerns about the way Providence is treating us. Members of UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and WSNA all presented our wishes for the new year. “Sacred Heart has always been Spokane’s hospital. Our hospital. But we have been fighting for more than a year for safe staffing levels and benefits we have already earned,” says KT Raley-Jones, a cardiac intensive care nurse at Sacred Heart and nurse with WSNA. “While we have been at the table working to protect our patients and our community, Providence pocketed nearly $1 billion in profits in the first half of this year alone.”

Hudson News + Dufry Contract Vote

Covington Hospital Contracts Ratified

Grocery Store Bargaining Update

Let’s Get to Work

Grocery store contract votes that have already taken place have ratified, but our work is just beginning. The remaining counties will be voting in early December. See below.

In the coming months, we will implement and enforce the new language in this contract, lay the foundation to protect and improve on these wins in our next contract and continue to work together every day to build power in our stores. Next steps include:

• Fully develop our safety program, including OSHA training for our members and increasing involvement in our safety committees

• Update our Grocery Store Workers Bill of Rights for 2020

• Pass a statewide scheduling bill, which is required to protect our new scheduling language

• Continue to expand and develop our workforce development center, WeTrain

• Prepare for new technology in our workplaces and escalate our ongoing work to improve the way technology affects our working conditions

• Get trained on our new contract so we can fully enforce it

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Want to get involved and get training? Sign up for safety training, Steward training, member action teams, and more at bit.ly/stepup21

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REMAINING GROCERY STORE VOTES:

The final period of grocery votes is December 8 – 12. Vote times and locations below. Drop by any time during the voting time, review the Tentative Agreement, get your questions answered, and then vote. These votes are open to all active-member UFCW 21 grocery store workers in Clallam, Jefferson, Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties at the big chains and independent stores. Active members are eligible to vote at whichever location is most convenient, during any time when polling is open. RSVP for your vote at ufcw21.org/rsvp

Sunday, December 8, 2019—Mount Vernon — 8am-12pm & 4-8pm
UFCW 21 Mount Vernon Office, Conference Room 1510 N 18th Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Sunday, December 8, 2019—Oak Harbor — 8am-12pm & 4-8pm
Best Western Plus Oak Harbor, Oak Harbor Room 33175 SR 20, Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Monday, December 9, 2019—Bellingham — 8am-12pm & 4-8pm
Quality Inn Grand Suites Bellingham, Atlantis Room 100 E Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226

Wednesday, December 11, 2019—Port Angeles — 8am-12pm & 4-8pm
Olympic Lodge, Meeting Room 140 Del Guzzi Drive, Port Angeles, WA 98362

Thursday, December 12, 2019—Port Townsend— 8am-12pm & 4-8pm
Harborside Inn, Conference Room 330 Benedict Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is my raise going to show up on my paycheck?

We are working with each of the employers’ payroll departments to make sure the raises go into effect as soon as possible—but also that it’s done correctly. Remember that if your contract is expired and you have not yet received your raise, you will still be getting back pay for journey raises, going back to the expiration date of your contract.

When will those back pay/retro checks show up?

For contracts that have already expired and will be receiving back pay, we’re working with employers to get those checks out as quickly as possible.

When do the Select-a-Schedule scheduling improvements go into effect?

This new scheduling will be implemented 120 days from ratification or contract expiration, whichever is later. As a reminder, to keep this scheduling win we will have to pass a statewide scheduling law, get ready to help in the effort to pass that law and protect our scheduling win.

When can I get a copy of our new contract?

We are still working with the employers to update all of our contracts then we can move to print and publish full copies of our new contract and will distribute them online and on paper as soon as we can.

Have more questions? Use the UFCW 21 App or contact your Shop Steward or Union Rep.

We Wish Providence Would Put Patient Care and Safety Before Profits!

Seattle Children's Hospital END Techs Fighting for a good first contract