Providence Centralia Hospital Technical - Celebrating Wins, but Still Holding The Line!

On Wednesday, May 28, our union bargaining team met with management for our fourth day of negotiations representing the Technical workers at Centralia Hospital. At yesterday's meeting, we held two joint-sessions with Providence, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. Across these two exchanges of proposals, we're feeling like serious progress has been made on achieving the contract PCH Tech workers deserve:

Progress on Non-Economic Proposals

We opened the day by presenting responses to a number of open non-economic Articles; key topics including:

• A new Workplace Safety article, to ensure stronger protections for workers and patients alike.

• Enhanced Bereavement Leave, recognizing the importance of time to grieve and heal.

• New shift assignment language, aimed at prioritizing union workers for pre-scheduled extra shifts before travelers or agency workers.

• Donning & Doffing clarification; workers who wear hospital scrubs should have appropriate (and paid!) time to do so.

• Bargaining team release time, reinforcing the importance of having our full union bargaining team present, prepared, and ready to represent coworkers at the table.

In our morning session, we also received Providence's second compensation proposal. While the employer made minimal movement on premiums and differentials; increasing the Preceptor Premium by just $0.25 and the 2026 across-the-board increase by .25%; their latest proposal on wage rates was far more encouraging:

Providence moved significantly closer to our union's wage rate proposals, in some cases offering rates that exceed hospitals in Olympia and Tacoma. This signals positive momentum. Our team did identify several classifications that are still falling short of market standards, and in the counter proposal we returned, we continued to push for equity across all positions.

Afternoon Session: Holding the Line on Key Economic Proposals

We responded to management's second wage proposal and highlighted our demand that all wage rates reflect competitive, market-based standards. We also held the line on key priorities, including:

• Shift incentives for staff who pick up extra shifts beyond their FTE

• Additional compensation for workers with multiple specialty certifications or advanced degrees.

What's Next?

Our team is eager to return to the bargaining table at our next scheduled session on Monday, June 2. Considering the progress made on May 28, we're hopeful that this momentum continues, and Providence continues this movement in the right direction!

Our Bargaining Team: Jennifer Frunz, Mammography Technologist; Jennifer Mullins, CT Technologist; Shauna Allen, Pharmacy Tech; Shea Carney, Respiratory Care Practitioner

"We're excited to see things moving in a positive direction. June 2 can't come soon enough! We're ready to keep the pressure on, and fight for real progress and the fair pay we deserve; in line with what neighboring hospitals are already offering!"

— Shauna Allen, Pharmacy Technician

Sign the strike pledge card: We need to show Providence we're ready to do what it takes to get what we deserve. Sign the strike pledge card or ask a fellow member to sign it if they haven't already.

Step up! We need department leaders to keep members engaged in the fight. Providence United — UFCW 3000

Organize, organize, organize: Know a worker who wants to join the union? Send them here.

Providence Mt. Carmel RN - Our Bargaining Team Met Strong Resistance from Providence the First Two Days of Bargaining

We just completed our first two days of negotiations with Providence. Our bargaining team came ready to bargain and gave a complete comprehensive proposal to Providence that included:

• Market wage increases that are competitive with Spokane Holy Family and will help us retain and recruit nurses to serve our rural community

• Paid education days like other Providence Hospitals

• Supplemental scheduling

• Premiums for nurses who are unable to move to newly awarded positions because Providence hasn't resolved their staffing crisis

• Sleep area for call staff required to stay on premises

• And more!

These sessions were not just hard; they were frustrating and at times deeply uncomfortable. Providence's attorney created an environment that made members of our team feel dismissed and disrespected. It quickly became clear that Providence doesn't see rural hospitals as deserving of the same standards or respect as our peers in urban hospitals.

"We walked away from the table deflated and discouraged. We don't feel like their attorney came prepared to bargain in good faith. We are hoping when we get back to the table it will be different. Now is the time to RALLY together, we must be prepared just in case it's not."

— Our bargaining team

We asked Providence for additional dates through the next few months; however, management claims they are only available to meet in person again on July 29, 30, and 31. Our bargaining team finds it difficult to believe that Providence is not available until the end of July, and this delay feels like a tactic to frustrate progress at the table.

Please watch for additional information on how you can get involved in fighting for a fair contract we all deserve.

United we stand, divided we beg.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our bargaining team or the Union Representative Lenaya Wilhelm at 509-340-7369.

Bargaining Team: Georgia Davenport, RN; Rebecca Landers, RN; Laura Swanson, RN

WATCH: The 5 Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor

On May 20, we launched “Healthy Conversations,” an effort to provide UFCW 3000 members with timely, easily understandable and engaging health information on a range of topics. Places you may normally go to get truthful health information are in short supply these days, and we plan to work hard to fill that void for you. 

In our first installment of this series, we held a digital town hall with Dr. Taison Bell, who delivered a presentation on the five questions we should all ask our doctors to help live a long and healthy life. 

Key takeaways: 

1. High Blood Pressure: 60 million adult Americans are estimated to have undiagnosed high blood pressure. If untreated, the condition can lead to serious heart disease and other complications, such as strokes. High blood pressure ranks as the world’s #1 leading risk factor for death. For anyone 18 years of age and older, it is critical to get screened at least once annually. You can buy an accurate home blood pressure cuff (see here for options), or you can find a cuff at the back of most retail pharmacies. Ideally, you should establish care with a medical provider and see that person at least once per year, where they will do this screen. 

2. High Cholesterol and Diabetes: Over 40% of adult Americans do not know they have high cholesterol, which is also a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Furthermore, nearly 10  million people in the US have undiagnosed Type II Diabetes. Be proactive about your health and start getting screened, beginning at age 18. Ask your medical provider about getting LDL and Hemoglobin A1C tests. If you have a family history of heart attacks or strokes, also consider asking about newer tests, such as Lipoprotein A and Apolipoprotein B, which can shine additional light on your risk of heart disease. If you’d like to learn more, we discussed these newer tests in a recent segment for the Today Show. 

3. Cancer Screenings: We should all be asking about screenings for common cancers, like colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers. You should also make sure you understand your family history to ensure you know which specific genetic risks you may uniquely have. A strong family history of cancer will likely mean getting screened for various cancers at an earlier age than typically recommended, but it is vital to have this conversation with your medical provider. See below for age-specific recommendations on when and what to get screened for: 

We’ve scheduled the next town digital town hall for June 26. Keep an eye on your inbox, this website, and our social media accounts for more information!

Central Washington Hospital - Mares Campus & EEG Techs Accretion Ratified!

After many long months working with management, we have accreted the Mares Campus and EEG Techs into the Central Washington Hospital Techs contract! We joined work sites into a mature contract at Central Washington Hospital. We maintained seniority for all, the accreted members gained a 403b retirement plan, the new members finally have a wage scale and all the job protections and security they have been waiting for, and so much more.

If you know someone that has not yet signed up to become a Union Member, please direct them to the UFCW3000.org website for more information or reach out to your bargaining team.

SOLIDARITY among the work sites was impressive from the start and grew stronger as we moved through the process! As one team we will have the strength to fight for a fair contract that we can all be proud of.

United We Stand. Divided We Beg.

Bargaining Team: Monica Meloy, Randi Eckhart, Jason Sherwood, Danna Joyner, & Bethany Sapp

If you have any questions or concerns reach out to our bargaining team or Union Representative, Amy Radcliff, (509) 340-7370.

"After a few long months bargaining has paid off and the accretion is complete! It has felt good to part of something bigger, knowing that my work was valued and that I had support if any issues arose! The experience proved that when we stand together real change is possible & we were the ones who made it happen!"

— Danna Joyner, GI Tech

"We are excited with the future at hand bringing in almost 100 new members to our union! The future is bright for Confluence Health employees and UFCW 3000. Thanks for all the hard work from everyone involved."

— Jason Sherwood, Nuclear Medicine Tech

St. Michael Medical Center RN - Bargaining Update

This Wednesday, May 21 our bargaining team met with leadership of Saint Michael Medical Center for what was our eighth bargaining session.

In the morning we presented ideas on how we might come to agreement on major outstanding economic issues, including:

• Staffing

• Charge Nurse duties

• Mandatory Call

• Open Call

• Break relief shifts

While we caucused after this, we began the process of crafting our next set of other economic items not addressed above such as wages and premium pay.

In the afternoon, management responded on the outstanding non-economic issues we do not have Tentative Agreements on already. This shrinking group of sections of the contract we need to respond to them on includes the Residency Program, precepting, and our proposed workplace violence prevention program.

"We have many Tentative Agreements, but we are still hoping for some more movement from management on major economic issues."

— Lindsay Gearrllach (OBS)

We're asking everyone to start wearing gold and blue UFCW 3000 swag on bargaining days! We'll be distributing bandanas and other items to show unity and solidarity.

Next Bargaining Dates

• June 12

• June 18

• June 26

Strike Pledge Card

If you haven't already, sign our Strike Pledge Card! >>

Contract Update Meeting

May 27
7:00 PM

If you are not receiving our bargaining updates or emails, please Update Your Information! >>

Bargaining Team: Kim Fraser, Pre-Op; Janice Brown, FBC; Meredith Francisco, Med Surg; Lindsey Gearllach, Obs; Tammy Olson, ICU