Kaiser Permanente Pro Tech Optical - Bargaining Update

We are negotiating with KP management for both a new National Agreement and a Local Contract for Pro Tech Optical workers. Our bargaining team has met several times with management to find common interests that will ultimately lead to strong and enforceable agreements.

Nationally we are focused on sustainable wages and benefits for all employees at KP, as well as finding solutions to ongoing staffing problems, challenges working in partnership, and the future of AI and how it might change our jobs and the way we do business.

Locally we are negotiating for:

• Market wages and premiums (to keep us competitive with other professional, technical, and optical workers in Washington State.)

• Improvements to the rebid and restructure language to make it simpler and more equitable.

• Process improvements for travel groups and floating between work locations.

• Recognition of all positions in the contract including any new positions.

We have discussed Specialty Certification Pay, how changes can be made to the list of certifications, and how people can access it. This is important because there are a number of jobs that qualify for Certification Pay but people either do not know about the pay or have difficulty accessing it.

We have an Education Committee that reviews all certifications and makes sure the list of certifications is updated and consistently applied. It is critical that we meet regularly with management to make sure this happens. Management has proposed eliminating this committee, but we know it rewards workers who take the time to upgrade their skills and provides additional compensation. They have also proposed getting rid of the Joint Labor Management Committee, which is critical to our ability to have ongoing communication with management, so they know what the issues are that we deal with every day and can work with us to change the things that just don't work.

We have let management know that we want a better KP and eliminating employee input and partnership is not the direction we need to go.

We are bargaining both the National Agreement and our Pro Tech Optical Agreement this week and will keep you posted on progress.

For additional information, contact a bargaining team member.

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

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

Kaiser Permanente Pharmacy Meet the Bargaining Team

JJ Benson, Pharmacy Tech

I believe everyone has a voice and being on the bargaining team allows me to advocate for them and ensure their voices are heard.
 
In my spare time, I run a Facebook group to create and send greeting cards to people who live in assisted living facilities for every holiday and birthday. We send cards to over 800 people. Fun fact: in 2011, I auditioned for the X Factor and made it to the second round.

Cesar Galloso, Infusion Pharmacy Tech

Certain contract language is being used against us and this should not happen. We want a fair contract and I am dedicated to making sure all staff and our department are protected from these becoming "new" precedents.
 
I love spending time with family — taking my son to Seattle Thunderbirds hockey games and going to outdoor concerts. Foo Fighters at the Gorge with the sunset behind and seeing Carlos Santana with my parents at the White River Amphitheatre are memories I’ll never forget.

Krystal Krotzer, Pharmacy Tech Spokane

I joined the bargaining team to ensure we get the best possible contract we can.
 
I'm a single mom of a beautiful daughter and for many years I worked with a nonprofit organization. I love to travel and one of my favorite places in the world is my grandparents' farm in Saskatchewan.

Jason Lindquist, Pharmacist

I am on the bargaining team to fight for better wages, better staffing, and a better working environment.
 
I like getting together with friends to play board games. Our current favorites are all world-building: Orleans, Viticulture, and Grand Austria Hotel.  As a kid, my favorite game was Uncle Wiggily. 

Kay Halverson, Pharmacist

I care deeply about supporting my coworkers and making sure our voices are heard. I believe in standing up for fair working conditions, mutual respect, employees’ well-being and I’m committed to helping create a workplace where everyone feels valued. 
 
I’ve been a pharmacist for 30 years, I have four children and three grandchildren…and goats, chickens, cats, and dogs. My favorite book is Les Miserables and when I’m not skydiving in Snohomish, I love tubing on rivers.

Mark Stewart, Clinical Pharmacist

I am on the bargaining team to fight for fairness within our local contract — regardless of a member's location. I've worked at KPWA/Group Health for the past 31 years and this is my fourth time being on the bargaining team. My ultimate goal is to maintain our current benefits and ideally win at least, if not more, than what other KP regions have.
 
Outside of work (pun intended), I love to hunt elk and fish. Fun fact about me: I live a couple of miles from the house I grew up in.

For additional information reach out to a Bargaining Team Member.

Make sure your contact information is up-to-date! >>

Kaiser Permanente Pro Tech, Optical, & Pharmacy: Wage Increases Coming Soon!

Hooray! Wage Increases in Upcoming Paychecks

Kaiser UFCW 3000 membership ratified historic mid-contract wage increases for all members on April 19. Management gave word that those increases have been processed in HRConnect and we anticipate your new wage to be in your next paycheck coming on 6/21/2024.

Please note: The retroactive pay will not be on this same paycheck. The retroactive pay for all hours worked (from the effective date until now) will be coming in either of the the next two pay periods: 7/5/24 or 7/19/24.

The wage increases ranged from 5% to 9% depending on job classification. To understand your new wage, multiply your current wage by 1.05, 1.06, or 1.09:

e.g. $30.00 x 1.05 = $31.50
       $25.60 x 1.09 = $27.90

Please reach out to your Union Representative or Contract Specialist with any questions or concerns!

Contract and rep information:

• Pro-Tech & Optical

• Pharmacy Contract & Rep

Know someone who is not getting updates?
Send them to update the contact information we have on file here.

Kaiser Market wage increases ratified!

MARKET WAGE INCREASES RATIFIED!

KP ProTech/Optical and Pharmacy union members turned out yesterday in record numbers to say YES to increased wages!

After several months of union members pushing back against wage disparities through petitions, a demand letter, hundreds of postcards and using our collective voice, KP agreed to increase wages for UFCW Members.

Wage increases will be effective the beginning of the next full pay period.

Implementation of the wage increases will be in 90-120 days.

KP ProTech/Optical and Pharmacy members should see retro pay within two pay periods following the implementation date.

Congratulations!

Kaiser Permanente WA Pro Tech, Optical, & Pharmacy WAGE INCREASES Online VOTE scheduled

Our union Bargaining Teams have reached a tentative agreement on mid-contract wage increases and are recommending a yes vote!

ONLINE VOTE SCHEDULED: Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 7am-5pm

On Thursday morning you will receive an email with your unique log-in credentials so you can review the wage increase proposal and vote. You must be a member in good standing to be eligible to participate in union votes, make sure your personal email is up-to-date use the QR code or visit ufcw3000.org >>

ONLINE INFORMATION MEETINGS:

Drop-in vote meetings to review the wage increase proposal and ask questions: Monday, April 15 from 5:30pm-6:30pm and Tuesday, April 16 from 12pm-1pm and 5:30pm-6:30pm

If you do not receive an email to vote on April 18, please contact union Rep Lauren VanWormer 206-436-6584 or Contract Specialist Rep JJ Benson 425-306-1357.

KAISER PRO TECH/OPTICAL & PHARMACY TAKING ACTION GETS RESULTS, TENTATIVE AGREEMENT ON WAGE INCREASES!

“Together we showed how strong we are as a Union and what we can accomplish when we come together!” —Jeannette (JJ) Benson

As KP WA UFCW3000 members, alongside the thousands of workers in the Alliance of Healthcare Unions, we let management know that enough is enough. As a result of your ongoing action over the last two years including petitions, postcards, and, most recently, the demand letter —Management has agreed to market rate adjustments, resulting in wage increases for UFCW members!

On Tuesday, April 2, our union team from Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy along with Leaders from the Alliance of Healthcare Workers met with Management and successfully negotiated for mid-contract wage increases. These increases will be in addition to the contractual increases ratified in 2021.

Union Members will have an opportunity to review and discuss the tentative wage increases and vote. Additional information with dates and times will be sent soon. All members in good standing are encouraged to vote, make sure your current contact information, including your personal email address are up to date!

Update your information ahead of the vote: ufcw3000.org/update-your-information

“I appreciate giving feedback and seeing something happen as a result.” —Vicki Kobeski

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Vanessa Wixom

Vanessa Wixom and her daughter enjoy some time outdoors

Vanessa Wixom works as a Pharmacy Tech at the Riverfront location for Kaiser Permanente in Spokane Washington.  Vanessa is a fantastic leader in her workplace, and is always very proactive she and her coworkers have concerns by making sure that their rights as union workers are respected by Kaiser.  Outside of work Vanessa is a mom, loves spending time with her family, and enjoying the outdoors with the gorgeous Northwest scenery in Eastern Washington.  Vanessa’s love for the outdoors has led her to be a volunteer for the local River/Park cleanups in Spokane to make sure that others can enjoy them.  Thank you for all of your hard work Vanessa!

Kaiser Labor Job Positions are open - Apply now!

KAISER WORKERS, Come work with your Union: Kaiser Permanente Labor Positions NOW OPEN for January 2024!

UFCW3000 and the Alliance of Healthcare Unions, in partnership with Kaiser Permanente, invite you to apply to one of two open positions:

• Contract Specialist – one year term

• Alliance Partnership Representative (APR) – three year term

Both positions offer great opportunity to learn new skills and spend time doing meaningful work that has a direct impact on Kaiser workplaces.

If selected, you will be released from your current role. In your new role, you will continue to receive the same pay, benefits and seniority accrual, returning to your position after your contractual term.

Applications due by September 15. Both positions start January 2024.

APR JOB DESCRIPTION: Download job description here.
To Apply: please email resume with KPWA APR Position in the subject line to: cmacphail@ufcw3000.org, lvanwormer@ufcw3000.org, betelhem.michael@ahcunions.org, becky.t.peterson@kp.org 

CONTRACT SPECIALIST JOB DESCIPTION: Download job description here.
To apply: Please fill out CONTRACT SPECIALIST Application here

Kaiser Pro-Tech & Optical - Online Vote on NEW CONTRACT EXPIRATION DATE!

Kaiser Pro-Tech & Optical - Online Vote on NEW CONTRACT EXPIRATION DATE!

After lengthy negotiations, UFCW and Kaiser have agreed to change the contract expiry date from April 30, 2025 to October 1, 2025. This new expire date lines up with the National Alliance Agreement! This change is fully recommended by members of the Bargaining Team!

The full proposal language will be made available during the online vote on August 30, 2022 from 5am–5pm .

You will receive an email from UFCW 3000 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information. All members in good standing are eligible to vote. To vote online make sure your information is up to date!

In order to receive a secure ballot to vote on this contract expiration date change, make sure your personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email please visit ufcw21.org/update-your-information to update or scan the QR code with your phone camera ▸

If you do not receive an email to vote on August 30, 2022, please reach out our Union Representative Rhonda Fisher-Ivie at 206-436-6584 to provide an updated email address.

PRE-VOTE INFORMATION MEETING August 29!

Drop in between 9–10am or 7–8pm on August 29. It is important that members attend the Zoom Meeting to review the proposed expiry date change and have your questions answered.

Kaiser Pharmacy Spokane update on new contract language & premiums

Kaiser Pharmacy Spokane update on new contract language & premiums

Our Negotiation Team has been working with Kaiser both locally and nationally to ensure that our contract agreements are implemented fairly and paid out accurately.

Because Kaiser’s payroll system is run nationally, we are working with the National Alliance of Health Care Unions to help ensure that all changes to payroll codes are implemented as soon as possible.

We are in discussion with Kaiser Washington to push them towards a manual fix - Kaiser’s payment codes are not yet programmed into the payroll system. Management needs to manually keep track of what you are owed to ensure members are compensated quickly and accurately! This is a work-in-progress and we will keep you updated as we push Kaiser toward a solution.

Don’t miss out on important updates! Make sure you and your coworkers’ information is correct and up-to-date!

ufcw21.org/update-your-information

For further information about our contract or to get involved, please contact our Union Representative Lenaya Wilhelm @ 509-340-7369

Kaiser Permanente - Update

New Contract

Wage Increases should be paid out starting with the paycheck on the week of February 4. We are working on finalizing the new contracts and will get them to you as soon as possible.

General Membership Meetings 

GMMs will be held February 9-11 in-person at a variety of locations. For more information go to here.

Covid Benefits

Work during the pandemic has been a constant challenge for all and we are requesting the KP WA step up and reinstate Covid Benefits and provide incentives. Discussions have been happening both locally and with the National Alliance to make this happen. Stay tuned for more information about how you can participate!

Safe Staffing

UFCW, SEIU and WSNA along with dozens of other unions and community organizations are working together in Olympia to show our state lawmakers that our community cares about safe staffing. Senate Bill 5751 and House Bill 1868 create laws to improve worker safety and patient care. We are collecting member stories to present to lawmakers regarding current working conditions and staffing challenges. You can find the petition link here:

For additional information contact:

Christina Delgado

Contract Specialist KP/UFCW 21 

Christina.a.delgado@kp.org

425.306.1357

Rhonda Fisher-Ivie 

UFCW Local 21 Union Representative

rfisherivie@ufcw21.org 

253.245.3739

Kaiser Permanente - Contracts Ratified!

All three UFCW 21 Kaiser Permanente Washington contracts were ratified this week.

Eastern Washington Pharmacy voted December 6 to join the Pharmacy membership and approve Spokane Specific Agreements.

Western Washington Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy contracts were voted online and ratified on December 8.

Alliance National Agreement was ratified in all three contracts!

Highlights include:

• Four Year Agreement with wage increases each year and additional 2% bonuses in years three and four.

• Improvements to Premiums

• Improved contract language-Education, Seniority, Rebid & Layoff, Staffing and Labor Management Committees

• Increase in Retiree Medical Benefits from $350 for each year of service to $1000 for each year

• Higher Funding of the Ben Hudnall Memorial Trust

• Changes to the Pensions for all Western Washington Optical and Pharmacy Workers with additional employer contributions

• New National Agreement language which addresses:

  • Staffing

  • Racial Justice

• Patient and Worker Safety

• Problem and Dispute Resolution

• Additional Information will be made available.

Welcome, Spokane Pharmacy Techs to UFCW21!

Please reach out to your Union Representative for any questions or needed support:
Western Washington
Rhonda Fisher-Ivie
Union Representative
(206) 436-6584

Eastern Washington
Maureen Hatton
Union Representative
(509) 340-7370

Christina Delgado
UFCW 21 Contract Specialist
(425) 623-7073

Bargaining Team: Tiffany Yeates and Jackie McFarlen, Union Stewards Spokane Clinics

Kaiser Pharmacy - Tentative Agreement Reach on Local & National Bargains!

Tentative Agreement Reached on local & national bargains!

Our Bargaining Team has reached a tentative agreement with Kaiser on a new local collective bargaining agreement for Pharmacy and a National Agreement through the Alliance of Health Care Unions. We are very excited to tell you that these agreements include the following: 

• COMPETITIVE WAGE INCREASES each year of the agreement and continued bonuses through the Performance Sharing Program
  3% 2021; 3% 2022; 2% + 2% bonus 2023; 2% + 2% bonus 2024

• INCLUDES FULL RETRO PAY BACK TO October 1, 2021

• Increase Retiree Medical from $350 per year of service to $1,000 per year of service

• Improvements to Access for Education with escalation of benefits

• Secured Sound Retirement Pension and increased funding

• And so much more!

Full details of the contract offers will be available during online vote on Wednesday, December 8 from 6AM to 8PM. You will recieve an email from UFCW 21 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information.

TO VOTE ONLINE MAKE SURE YOUR INFORMATION IS UP TO DATE!

In order to vote on both proposals, everyone needs to make sure their personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email, please visit ufcw21.org/update-your-information and update your information. If you do not receive an email to vote on December 8, please reach out to Union Representative Rhonda Fisher-Ivie at rfisherivie@ufcw21.org or 206-436-6584 no later than 5PM on the day of the vote to provide an updated email address.

Kaiser Spokane Pharmacy Techs Tentative Agreement Reached on local and national bargains

Kaiser Spokane Pharmacy Techs

Tentative Agreement Reached on local & national bargains!

After months of bargaining and organizing together for a first contract, your Spokane Pharmacy Tech Bargaining Team has reached a tentative agreement with Kaiser on a local collective bargaining agreement and a National Agreement through the Alliance of Health Care Unions. We are very excited to tell you that these agreements include the following:

• The Western Washington Wage Scale

• Maintain Your Current Retirement Plan

• COMPETITIVE ACROSS THE BOARD WAGE INCREASES each year and bonuses through the Performance Sharing Program 3% 2021; 3% 2022; 2% + 2% bonus 2023; 2% + 2% bonus 2024

• Additional Step Wage Increases each year

• Retiree Medical $1,000 per year of service

• Education Benefits locally and Nationally

• New Premiums, Benefits, and Differentials

• Just Cause Protections and Grievance Procedure

• Specific language to address Spokane issues including on-call shifts, floating, vacation requests and so much more!

The full details of the offer will be made available during our In-Person vote meetings on December 6. You must be present in-person and a member in good standing to be eligible to vote on the contract.

Kaiser Spokane Pharmacy Tech Vote Meetings Monday December 6, drop-in 7-10AM & 5–8PM

UFCW 21 Spokane Office: 2805 N. Market St., Spokane, WA 99207

Please contact Union Representative Maureen Hatton with any questions, 509-340-7370.

Kaiser Pro Tech Optical Tentative Agreement Reached on local & national bargains

Kaiser Pro Tech Optical

Tentative Agreement Reached on local & national bargains!

Our Bargaining Team has reached a tentative agreement with Kaiser on a new four-year local collective bargaining agreement for Pro Tech Optical and a National Agreement through the Alliance of Health Care Unions. We are very excited to tell you that these agreements include the following:

• COMPETITIVE WAGE INCREASES each year of the agreement and continued bonuses through the Performance Sharing Program 3% 2021; 3% 2022; 2% + 2% bonus 2023; 2% + 2% bonus 2024

• INCLUDES FULL RETRO PAY BACK TO October 1, 2021

• Increase Retiree Medical from $350 per year of service to

• $1,000 per year of service

• Improvements to Certification Pay and access to Education Funds

• And so much more!

Full details of the contract offers will be available during online vote on Wednesday, December 8 from 6AM to 8PM. You will receive an email from UFCW 21 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information.

to vote online Make sure your information is up to date!

In order to vote on both proposals, everyone needs to make sure their personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email, please visit ufcw21.org/update-your-information and update your information. If you do not receive an email to vote on December 8, please reach out to Union Representative Rhonda Fisher-Ivie at rfisherivie@ufcw21.org or 206-436-6584 no later than 5PM on the day of the vote to provide an updated email address.

UFCW21 Kaiser Update - TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED!

After months of local and national bargaining, Informational Picketing and Leaflets, and negotiating last week through the night - UFCW21 and all Union Members in the Alliance of Health Care Unions reached a Tentative Agreement on all contracts!

In Local negotiations for both Pro Tech Optical and Pharmacy, our Bargaining Team won additional improvements in premiums and staffing and contractual language, with NO TAKEAWAYS. We secured improvements for Optical and Pharmacy’s Sound Health Retirement Pension- with a guarantee to increase contribution rates to a percentage of salary during the life of the contract. Other highlights include increasing Retiree Medical for all KPWA UFCW21 members from $350 to $1000 for every year of service and Strong Across the Board Wage increases and bonuses each year of the contract. We will continue partnering with SEIU and OPEIU to advocate for improvements to our healthcare in KPWA.

Additionally, the newly organized Spokane Pharmacy Techs won a historic contract including the Western Washington wage scale, maintaining their current retirement, new premiums and benefits, and an accretion allowing them to unite in strength and solidarity with hundreds of UFCW21 Pharmacy members in Western Washington.

In the next couple of days, UFCW21 will send out a vote notice to all members with dates and times of votes in December.

Please update your contact information- so that you receive all notices and can participate in meetings and the Online Vote in Western Washington. Spokane Pharmacy Techs will have an in-person Vote Meeting in Spokane. Go to: ufcw21.org/update-your-information

Read the full bargaining update from Alliance at: ufcw21.org/s/alliance-update-we-did-it.pdf