Fresenius Renal Care Contract Action Meetings

We are working to get better wages. Contract Bargaining affects the next three years of our wages, benefits and working conditions so it’s essential that we stay informed about the issues and get involved. We will be having meetings to discuss ways to make this happen.

• Make sure your contact information up-to-date so you receive important bargaining and benefits updates. www.ufcw21.org/update-your-information

• Get involved. Find out how to win a better contract!

• Learn about your on-the-job rights!

• Join the Contract Action Team!

CAT Meeting: Wed. June 1 @ 10am & 6PM

For more information contact your Union Rep Ryan Degouveia 360-662-1989

St. Michael Medical Center RN Management is unresponsive — Time to take action!

St. Michael Medical Center RN

Management is unresponsive — Time to take action!

Our Bargaining Team will be meeting with Management today and tomorrow with a Federal Mediator, continuing contract negotiations for St. Michael Medical Center nurses.

We haven’t met with the Employer since May 6 and, except for a small package proposal, haven’t received a substantive proposal from Management since our last bargaining date in April. We continue to be frustrated with the lack of progress from the Employer but have hope that the Federal Mediator will be able to help during this week’s bargaining sessions.

As of Monday morning, everything is in the Employer’s court. Our Bargaining Team is looking forward to seeing the proposal they’ve had weeks to work on.

It is imperative that nurses make a strong statement of solidarity at this week’s informational picket, showing Management we are serious about winning a fair contract. Nothing will move the employer more than a high turnout by nurses and the community at the informational picket.

We invite nurses to attend our next Contract Action Team meeting on Wednesday May 25 at 9AM & 6PM, where your bargaining team will share the latest news from negotiations and talk about the logistics of Thursday’s picket.

Informational Picket: Thursday, May 26

3:00PM – 5:00PM

@ St. Michael Medical Center

1800 NW Myhre Rd, Silverdale, WA 98383

RSVP and Join the Informational Picket!

go to: bit.ly/smmc-info-22

Join the Contract Action Team Meeting

May 25, 2022 @ 9:00AM & 6:00PM via Zoom

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Ralph Leads by Example!

Ralph Stumbo, UFCW 3000 member and worker at Kaiser Permanente, with his grandkids

#MemberMonday is here and today’s spotlight is on Ralph Stumbo, who is currently an Alliance Partnership Representative at Kaiser Permanente. Ralph has worked at KP (formerly Group Health Cooperative — GHC) for almost 35 years!

Ralph grew up in Federal Way and went to college in Portland. After he graduated, he had the opportunity to return to Washington State and began working at Group Health as a respiratory therapist. Ralph loves working in healthcare and says he works hard because it is so rewarding for him to help patients and his coworkers.

Within a few years of starting at Group Health, Ralph attended training sessions and became a shop steward for his workplace. Through the years, he has been actively involved with contract negotiations and helping to advocate for his coworkers. In fact, Ralph is currently serving as part of the Labor Management Partnership (LMP) and continues to center his patients through that work.

Ralph says that he did not set out with the intention of being a shop steward or any other kind of workplace leader. Rather, he says that his service to others, whether his patients or his coworkers, has brought him tremendous joy — and that joy is what motivates him every day.

“Shortly I will return to the pulmonary lab and once again be giving awesome care to my patients whom I have missed…Whether you work in healthcare, in grocery, food service, retail, etc., it doesn’t matter, you are serving your fellow humans and that is something for which you should be proud!”

Ralph — your generosity, humility, and joyfulness are so inspiring to witness. You are an incredible example of the UFCW 3000 members who step up every day as worker-leaders, advocating for their coworkers and for change in the workplace. Thank you for leading by example!

Grays Harbor Harbor Regional Health - Bargaining Continues

Our union bargaining team has been hard at work creating a stronger and more efficient agreement between employees and management. We are proposing real wage increases because we have given up increases for the sake of the hospital. We are behind and need to catch up. 

We are proposing wages:

• That are competitive with other local hospitals 

• That meet the increasing cost of living

• That recognize our value to the hospital and the community 

We have worked through difficult times facing the ongoing staff shortages that require you to work twice as hard!

Thanks for the burger HRH but show us the money!

For additional information or to get involved contract your union representative Brandan Zielinski @ (206) 436-6603.

“I joined the bargaining team to put my passion for social justice into action to benefit my coworkers and family. I grew up in union households and want to honor all those who have sacrificed for worker’s protections”

— Ricki Franklin, Medical Social Worker and Bargaining Team Member

Your Bargaining Team: Janet Byrd, Ricki Franklin, Dan James, Bambi Shope, Debbie Sturm.

Please remind your coworkers to update their information so that everyone can receive these updates!

St. Joseph Hospital - We Have Reached a Tentative Agreement

Your bargaining team met with the employer for an expedited bargaining session where we focused on wages. After one quick session we were able to reach a tentative agreement that will compensate RNs fairly for the work they do. The wage increases will make us market competitive within our region.

Your bargaining team is recommending a YES vote on the tentative agreement!

Bargaining Team Left to Right: Amy Radclif - Union Representative, Eilish Smit - RN Acute Care, Maegan George - RN Emergency Department, Lenaya Wilhelm - Union Representative - Union Representative

Join Our Vote Meeting!

Full agreement for review will be available at the vote meeting. UFCW 3000 members in good standing are encouraged to attend a meeting, ask questions, and vote on the contract. Contract a bargaining team member or your Union Representative for any questions.

Thursday, June 2

6:30 am - 8:00am

St. Joseph Hospital classroom

UFCW 3000 Member Story: CJ Brings the Music!

CJ, proud UFCW 3000 member and receiver at Fred Meyer

It’s #WorkerWednesday, and that means it’s time for another member spotlight! Meet CJ — he’s worked at Fred Meyer for 20 years and is a proud member of UFCW 3000. CJ is currently working as a Receiver at FM 210 in Monroe!

CJ was raised in a household that practiced worker power and solidarity. In fact, CJ says that he has vivid memories of being a kid in the 1990s and going on strike with his dad who was working at Boeing at the time.

While CJ enjoys the work that he does at Fred Meyer, his main passion in life is music. CJ plays the piano and just recently released a new album on Spotify! CJ says that he draws inspiration from his work at Fred Meyer. For example, CJ wrote a song about his coworker Sunil, who is a Grocery Clerk, entitled “International Man of Fiji.” You can check out his music @ CJ (DJCJ)!

CJ — thank you for bringing joy to your workplace! It is so cool to see your work & fellow union members represented in your artistry.

Mt. Carmel Hospital - We Have Reached a Tentative Agreement

Your bargaining team met with the employer for two expedited bargaining sessions where we focused on wages. After some long sessions we were able to reach a tentative agreement that will compensate RNs fairly for the work they do. The wage increases will make us market completive.

Your bargaining team is recommending a YES vote on the tentative agreement!

Bargaining Team Left to Right: Lenaya Wilhelm - Union Representative, Lisa Sanger - RN Acute Care, Rebecca Landers - RN Birth Center, Georgia Davenport - RN Emergency Department, Amy Radcliff - Union Representative

Join Our Vote Meeting!

Full agreement for review will be available at the vote meeting. UFCW 3000 members in good standing are encouraged to attend a meeting, ask questions, and vote on the contract. Contract a bargaining team member or your Union Representative for any questions.

Wednesday, June 1

12:00 pm - 2:00pm

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm 

First floor meeting room of the Health Education Center, across from ER

Olympic Medical Center - Market Increases for PAS!

We have reached an agreement with Olympic Medical Center to increase pay rates for patient access services (PAS) to recruit and retain staff. This market adjustment is uncommon since our union contract expires on June 2023. We requested that Olympic Medical Center act to fix our recruitment and retention issues, to which they agreed. We will be entering full contract negotiations in Spring 2023 where we will be fighting for competitive wage increases and improving contract language. 

Below are the details of the agreement:

• Patient Access Representative I and II (PAS Rep I and II) will convert into a single Patient Access Representative position: all current PAS Reps I and II will move to grade 50 (base rate of $18.10)

• Patient Access Specialist: increase from grade 65 (base of $18.91) to grade 74 (base rate of $19.94)

• New position of Patient Access Senior Specialist: grade 75 (base of $20.65)

Your bargaining committee is recommending a “YES” vote on these changes! 

We will vote on May 30 online from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. You will receive a vote link via email from “Simply Vote.” In order to vote, you must be a union member in good standing and must have a valid email on file with UFCW. Please update your email address if you do not receive emails from UFCW through the link below.

Update Your Contact Info!

https://www.ufcw21.org/update-your-information

 If you do not receive an email to vote on May 30, please contact your union representative Aimee Oien aoien@ufcw21.org.

Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic - New contract overwhelmingly ratified!

Mid Valley Hospital & Clinic

New contract overwhelmingly ratified!

Mid Valley Hospital and Clinic Workers voted overwhelmingly to Ratify new 3-year contract on May 12, 2022.

There were no take-aways and some of the improvements included

• Equal pay for equal experience for all Hospital and Clinic employees.

• Minimum of 10 percent increase to any employee in a job classification that started under 16 dollars per hour.

• New Increase Wage scale for Radiology department that properly classifies the different modalities.

• Improved wage scale for RNs with elimination of ghost steps at the top of the scale.

• Minimum of 12 percent increases for all employees through the three year contract.

Fresenius Renal Care - Bargaining Continues

Your Bargaining Team is working on attaining competitive wage increases:

• To mirror your skill and dedication

• To Recruit and Retain great employees to end the staffing shortages!

• To reward everyone who worked through difficult and unprecedented times!

We have met with management and made proposals around wages and non-economic contract language. We want your input and involvement! We will be holding regular Zoom Meetings and invite you to attend.

For additional information contact your Union Rep Ryan Degouveia @ 360-662-1989.

---

Fresenius Renal Care Contract Action Team Meeting

Tuesday, May 17 •6:00 PM

https://zoom.us/join

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

---

“Show Fresenius that we will stand together to win the contract we deserve.  Management is proposing less than bare minimum on wage increases. United we have a chance to be paid what we deserve and an amount we can live on and be proud of.”

— Tiffani Davis, South Tacoma

Bargaining Team Member

Update Your Contact Info

https://www.ufcw21.org/update-your-information

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Christina Delgado

Christina Delgado, UFCW 3000 member and Pharmacy Tech at Kaiser Permanente

Happy #MemberMonday! This week’s spotlight is on Christina Delgado, who is a Pharmacy Tech at Kaiser Permanente. Christina has been a member of our Union for 35 years, having started her career at Pay N Save and a member of UFCW Local 1001!

One day, a fellow coworker and Pharmacist at her store talked to Christina about working in Pharmacy. Christina’s interest was piqued because she knows just how important getting the right medications can be for people to live healthier lives. Christina decided to attend Pharmacy Tech school and the rest, as they say, is history! She’s now been in Pharmacy for 22 years and prides herself on the quality of care and service that she’s able to provide for her patients.

Christina is a natural workplace leader. In fact, she has been a shop steward for many years and also became a contract specialist about 6 months ago. You can often find Christina making the rounds, meeting new members, and welcoming them to our Union. Christina talks to her coworkers about issues they may have in the workplace with the goal of identifying strong leaders and providing the training needed to resolve issues at a work unit level.

When asked why she’s stepped up as a worker-leader in her unit, Christina said: “It’s critical to have strong leaders in place, in each department, in each unit, making a difference in the clinic and providing a voice for all employees.”

Christina — thank you for all that you do on behalf of your patients and your coworkers & fellow members. We’re so inspired by your leadership, positivity, and hard work!

Skagit Regional Health - It’s Time to Take Action

“We have been listening and hear the concerns of our fellow members. We will keep fighting until we have a contract that reflects the improvements we need and deserve.” 

— Jill Douglass, Data Entry Clerk

Your Bargaining Team: 

Aaron St. John – Central Supply Tech

Alina Delano – Ultrasound Tech

Ashley Price – Medical Assistant

Jill Douglass – Data Entry Clerk 

Maria Muñoz – Environmental Aid

Megan Osborn – Med Tech

Mike Koenig – Engineer

Rindi Atkins – Radiology Tech 

Thomas Kean – Exercise Physiologist

Katie Davis – Social Worker 

Cindy Tjaded – Surgical Tech

On Wednesday, May 11 our bargaining team meet with management for our sixth joint negotiation session. We presented management with our remaining new non-economic proposals. These included the creation of staffing committees, which would ensure we have a say in how staffing changes are handled. Management provided their final non-economic proposals, along with a counter proposal regarding reallocation. While management made some moves towards what we proposed, we were sad to see that key concepts, like our reallocation staff forum, were missing from their counter. After presenting, our team worked to develop more counters to managements proposals. Our hope is that in our next few sessions we can reach agreement these open issues and pave the way for our economic discussion. However, management’s recent counters have shown us that we are still far apart on some important issues. 

It’s time to take action and show management we are willing to fight for what we need! In doing so we can encourage them to provide real solutions to all of the challenges we face. Please join us at one of our upcoming Contract Action Team meetings, where we will discuss our upcoming plans to show management we are serious. These CAT meetings will be held virtually on Tuesday, May 17 at 1:00PM and 6:00PM.

If you have any questions about the bargaining process, please call our Union Rep Celia at (360) 419-4678. Celia will also be in the San Juan Conference Room from 11:00AM to 2:00PM on Monday, May 23 to answer contract and bargaining questions, as well as to discuss general workplace issues.

Stay tuned for more updates after our next session on June 1. 

---

You’re Invited! 

RSVP to Our CAT Meetings

As we approach this critical point in our negotiations it is extremely important that we show management we are prepared to do whatever it takes to win a strong contract. If you haven’t already, please RSVP to one of our Contract Action Team Meetings, which will be held virtually on May 17 at 1PM and 6PM. 

Tuesday, May 17

Providence St. Peter RN - Online Contract Ratification Vote! Your Bargaining Committee Recommends a YES Vote!

On May 3, we reached an agreement with Providence St. Peter’s Hospital! We will be voting online on Wednesday, May 25 from 6:00AM to 8:00PM. The entire vote document shall be available for review 24 hours prior to the start of the online vote. 

We will be holding virtual vote meetings on Monday May 23 and Tuesday May 24 8:00AM to 9:00AM and 8:00PM to 9:00PM. During these meetings, we will be going over the vote documents and answering questions.

In order to vote, you must be a union member in good standing prior to the start of the vote. You will be receiving an online vote link from “SimplyVote” at 6:00AM on May 25. If you do not receive a link to the vote, please email your union representative Erin McCoy emccoy@ufcw21.org. Additionally we ask that you provide us with a non-Providence email address. We have noticed in the past that Providence’s email system blocks emails from “SimplyVote” and UFCW. 

If you do not receive UFCW emails, please check your junk/spam folder or update your contact information by May 20, 2022 at https://www.ufcw21.org/update-your-information. If you have any questions, please contact your bargaining team or union representative. 

PSPH RN Vote Meetings

• Monday, May 23 • 8:00 AM

• Monday, May 23 • 8:00 PM

• Tuesday, May 24 • 8:00 AM

• Tuesday, May 24 • 8:00 PM

https://zoom.us/join

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

PSPH RN Bargaining Team: Mike Staley, Andy Dusablon Jacob Kostecka, Darlett Holm, Holly Wallace, Marcia Chinnick, Julia Douglas

Richland Fred Meyer Bargaining Update

Our Richland Bargaining Team met on May 9 to continue the bargaining process. Our committee drafted a complete set of proposals for the employer that include:

• A fair wage package.

• Respects those that have dedicated their lives to Kroger during the pandemic.

• Quality Health care that we can afford.

• A retirement that we can rely on.

These proposals are on top of what we have continued to push for:

• A fair grievance process.

• Workplace safety.

• Just Cause standards for discipline with a third party arbitrator.

Our union has now given the Employer a full and comprehensive proposal, that would be the basis of our contract, a legally binding agreement, for years to come.

Now it is the Employer’s turn to give us a counter-proposal and we expect them to give us a full response to all of the concepts that we pushed across the table. Fred Meyer has given us dates in June when we will meet next.

It’s time to show Fred Meyer that we expect the respect, protection, and pay that we deserve.

Mid Valley Hospital and Clinic - Tentative Agreement Reached in Record Time

“Our team worked to let management know wages were a priority, they listened! We are excited to share this experience with you all at the upcoming vote.”

Bargaining Team Top Left: Cheryl Pfeifer, RN; Karen Sanders, CAN; Teresa Cutchie, RN; Maureen Hatton, Union Rep 

Bottom Left: Juanita De La Cerda, Rad Tech; and Shawn Well, PAR 

Join Our Vote Meeting!

Please attend one of these meetings times to get the details. 

Full agreement for review will be available at the vote meeting. UFCW 3000 members in good standing are encouraged to attend a meeting, ask questions, and vote on the contract. Contact a Bargaining Team member or your Union Representative for any questions.

Thursday, May 12

12:00 pm - 2:00pm

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm 

Conference Room G 

Skagit Regional Health - A RETURN TO IN PERSON BARGAINING

“I am grateful for the voices at this table. There is a lot of advocacy moving these negotiations forward…eager for meet again next week!”

— Katie Davis, MSW 

Your Bargaining Team: 

Aaron St. John – Central Supply Tech

Alina Delano – Ultrasound Tech

Ashley Price – Medical Assistant

Jill Douglass – Data Entry Clerk 

Maria Muñoz – Environmental Aid

Megan Osborn – Med Tech

Mike Koenig – Engineer

Rindi Atkins – Radiology Tech 

Thomas Kean – Exercise Physiologist

Katie Davis – Social Worker 

Cindy Tjaded – Surgical Tech

On May 5, 2022 our bargaining team meet in person with management for our fifth joint negotiations session. We are pleased to report that our first in person meeting was another productive one. Our team presented another set of proposals focused extending the extra benefits and protections some job classifications have to all workers covered under the contract. Management provided us with some counters to our proposals and our team is hard at work to find ways we can come to an agreement on several issues. 

At this point almost all our non-economic proposals are on the table. In our next session on May 11 we plan to provide a comprehensive set of counters to management’s proposals, in hopes that we can reach enough agreements that we can dive into and focus on economics. 

If you have any questions about the bargaining process, please call our Union Rep Celia at (360) 419-4678.

Stay tuned for more updates after our May 11 session. 

---

You’re Invited! 

RSVP to Our CAT Meetings

As we approach this critical point in our negotiations it is extremely important that we show management we are prepared to do whatever it takes to win a strong contract. If you haven’t already, please RSVP to one of our Contract Action Team Meetings, which will be held virtually on May 17 at 1PM and 6PM. 

St. Michael Medical Center RN - SAVE THE DATE – INFORMATIONAL PICKET

“The Employer made very little movement and has requested federal mediation. RSVP to our May 26 Informational Picket to show management that we stand in solidarity for a fair contract!”

Your Bargaining Team: Brett Moore, Cindy Franck, Kimberly Fraser McMillan, Michael Nord, Tammy Olson, and Janice Jones.

Our Bargaining Team met with management again on May 3 to continue negotiations for the St. Michael Medical Center RN contract. 

Your Bargaining Team worked hours on crafting a comprehensive proposal for the employer on wages, staffing, and other important issues. However, the Employer only responded with a small package proposal regarding charge nurses and holiday call but nothing else. They failed to even provide an economic counteroffer!

Then at the end of our bargaining session the employer surprised the Bargaining Team by requesting that the parties bring in a federal mediator to help work through the remaining issues on the table.

We are very disappointed with the progress of negotiations and the lack of proposals from the employer at this session only furthered the Bargaining Team’s frustration. Therefore, we have agreed to begin the process of federal mediation.

Unfortunately, we must also report that we believe the employer has violated nurses’ rights on at least two occasions, forcing the Union to file Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges against the employer with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). 

These incidents occurred when management asked for members to remove their “Hello Staffing Crisis” stickers in early April, then again when nurses handing out strike pledge cards at an employee entrance were told they were in violation of company policy and must leave. In addition to filing charges, we are reviewing other actions that we can take to ensure the employer will cease violating the rights of bargaining unit nurses. 

We are scheduled to meet with the Employer again on May 6, which will be our first session with the federal mediator. We’ve also signed a contract extension agreement through the end of the month, meaning that all protections of your contract remain fully intact.  

---

What is mediation? 

When the Union and Employer have reached a point when little progress is being made, the parties have the option to bring in a neutral third-party mediator to help move things along. The federal government provides a free mediation service (Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service) that works exclusively on union-employer disputes and has assigned a mediator to help us reach a deal with management. The role of the mediator is to help the parties better understand the other’s point of view and to push both sides towards an agreement. However, the mediator has no power to force either side to make any changes to their proposals.

---

RSVP to the Info Picket!

After months of bargaining, our Bargaining Team has announced that nurses at St. Michael Medical Center will be holding an informational picket on Thursday May 26 from 3:00PM to 5:00PM. We invite bargaining unit nurses who are off-the-clock, their families, and any member of the community to RSVP for the event. RSVP through the code or link below!

Thursday, May 26 • 3PM - 5PM
1800 NW Myhre Road, Silverdale, WA 98383

Providence St. Peter Hospital - We have reached a tentative agreement!

After six bargaining sessions, we have reached a tentative contract agreement with Providence management! In 2019, we had contentious negotiations with Providence where we fought for over a year to maintain our benefits and to win competitive wages. During this year’s negotiations, Providence told us that they wanted to reset their relationship with nurses and improve working conditions. We held them accountable at the bargaining table and throughout the bargaining process we worked collaboratively on issues like staffing, retention, floating, wages, benefits, and resolving patient assignment issues.

Through these conversations, we were able to achieve historic wins like enforceable staffing language, floating recall, an avenue to address orientation when floating, an equity and inclusion committee, better safety language, removal of several ghost steps from the wage scale, double time for incentive shifts, and competitive pay increases.

Our bargaining team is recommending a “YES” vote on the tentative agreement! We will be sending out a notice with the meeting dates to review the agreement and the online vote information.

In order to vote, you must be a union member in good-standing. To ensure you receive the link to vote online, we must have a personal email (a non-Providence email) for you on file. If you do not get email communications from UFCW 3000, please update your information online by Friday, May 20. Go to: ufcw21.org/update-your-information

In solidarity,

PSPH RN Bargaining Team

Mike Staley, Andy Dusablon Jacob Kostecka, Darlett Holm, Holly Wallace, Marcia Chinnick, Julia Douglas

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Madison Derksema

Madison Derksema, Pharmacy Tech at Seattle Children’s Hospital and UFCW 3000 Member!

It’s Monday, and that means it’s time for another #MemberMonday story! This week’s spotlight is on Madison Derksema, who is a pharmacy tech at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Madison simply gets things done. Her coworkers agree: their department is a better place to work because of her efforts. Since starting her job in 2018, Madison has truly stepped up: first as a shop steward, then as a member of her department’s Contract Action Team (CAT), and most recently as a member of the contract negotiations team!

During contract negotiations, Madison pushed hard for two additional & specific pay differentials for her department. She also fought back against inequities in the advancement process, helped file grievances, advocated for COVID safety protocols, and is now working to streamline the vacation request process to include greater transparency. At the negotiations table, Madison always asked management the tough questions!

In addition to all of these fabulous accomplishments, she regularly informs her coworkers about their rights at work, benefits, and protections as union members. She also recently joined the Health Care Advisory Board (HCAB)! Beyond that, Madison is empowering her coworkers to come together to advocate for the solutions they need to make their workplace more fair and just for all.

Her leadership is making Seattle Children's Hospital an even better place for workers, patients, and our communities; Madison — thank you for all of your hard work!