Forks Community Hospital - Nurses ratify new wage increases

On Thursday, June 9, RNs at Forks Community Hospital overwhelmingly voted to increase wages and premiums! Wages and premiums will be effective after July 1 and increases should be on paychecks starting with the July 22 paycheck.

BIG THANKS TO THE BARGAINING TEAM!
Sarah Fletcher
Ryan Elmer
Annie Crippen
Darlene Rondeau
Lisa Huelsdonk

For more information or to find out how to get more involved, please contact Union Representative Brandan Zielinski at 206-436-6603 or BZielinski@ufcw21.org.

Grocery Store Workers: Whatcom, Skagit, Island, Jefferson & Clallam Counties Ratify New Contracts

Large wage increases, gains in safety & training, health care benefits protected with no increased costs, a secured pension, and more.

Grocery store workers across five western Washington counties wrapped up a week of voting and overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract made possible by standing together and taking action. Over the life of this new three-year contract, grocery store workers will see wage increases of $4 — $9 an hour, gains in safety and training, health care benefits protected with no increased costs, a secured pension and more.

Over the past two and a half years these frontline essential grocery store workers stayed on the job during the pandemic, ensuring our communities had the food, medicine, and supplies we all needed. While the grocery store chains made additional billions of dollars in profits, Essential Workers were denied the respect, protections and pay they deserved. Workers in North Puget Sound counties of Jefferson, Clallam, Island, Skagit and Whatcom voted to approve their new contracts in June. Altogether, there are over 25,000 essential grocery store workers of UFCW 3000 in the Puget Sound area working at Safeway, Albertsons, Fred Meyer, QFC, The Markets, Haggen, and other independent grocery stores.

“ The new contract gives us more hope, safety, and a promise of greater contracts in the years to come thanks to our strong collective bargaining power! I look forward to our union building a training and certifications to build a career like I have. Trades make our union strong, and this contract is a big step in that direction!” -Sean Stone, meat cutter Safeway 1448 Sequim

The many improvements in the ratified contract include:

• Wage increases of $4 to $9 an hour over the term of the Agreement for the most veteran workers.

• Elimination of lower pay scales in departments such as deli, bakery, fuel, and e-commerce, some of which are disproportionately staffed by women, immigrants, and people of color.

• An increase of 150% in wage escalators – the required minimum amount for each raise, creating a larger “bump” from CPIS adjustments to the minimum wage.

• Increased funding to our Health Care plan, maintaining and improving our high-quality benefits with no increase in costs for members.

• Increased funding for our pension - one of the few pensions in the nation that has been able to make the leap from “Red Zone” to “Green Zone” status following the funding crisis caused by the 2008 financial crash.

• Stronger ability of store-level Safety Committees to address serious safety issues, beyond just COVID protections.

• A half million-dollar contribution each year from the Employers to fund the new Workplace Training program (WE TRAIN WA), allowing pathways to higher paying positions and career mobility within every store.

St. Michael Medical Center (RN) - Nurses vote to authorize a strike

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

On Thursday June 9, Nurses at St. Michael Medical Center overwhelmingly voted YES to authorize a strike and NO on the Employer’s latest contract offer.

Our Bargaining Team will return to bargain with the Employer next week, now with the authority to call a strike.

We hope the results of the vote will force the Employer to improve their offer in a meaningful way and, therefore, avert a strike. However, if the Employer continues to drag their feet then our Bargaining Team will initiate the 10-day strike countdown. Nurses have sent a strong message to the Employer; NOW IT’S TIME FOR MANAGEMENT TO LISTEN!

Next Steps:
Monday, June 13
Bargaining with Employer

Wednesday, June 15
Contract Action Team Meetings
9AM // 6PM // 8:30PM

Thursday June 16
Bargaining with Employer

Wednesday Jun 22
Contract Action Team Meetings
9AM // 8:30PM

Wednesday Jun 22
Telephone Townhall
6PM

For questions and meeting details please contact a Bargaining Team member or Union Rep Aimee Oien @ (360) 662-1981.

Kaiser Permanente - Apply now for the new Alliance Partnership Representative Role

Click HERE for the KP Alliance Job Description >>

We have been so fortunate to have worked with Ralph Stumbo in his capacity of Alliance Partnership Representative over the last three years.

• Ralph has brought a caring spirit, and an extensive understanding of Group Health and Kaiser Permanente processes to this position.

• He assisted thousands of members in understanding the intent of the language in the contract,

• served on both the Local Bargaining Committee and the National Bargaining Committee for many contracts,

• served in PSP negotiations,

• provided training and done many presentations,

• helped launch UBT’s throughout the region,

• performed Path to Performance evaluations,

• helped implement various initiatives in the National Agreement,

• and continues to serve on countless committees.

Ralph has fulfilled his commitment of three years as APR and will be moving back into his former position as Respiratory Therapist and Pulmonary Function Technician (dual credentials). 

The Alliance Partnership Representative position is now open for all UFCW 3000 KP members. See above for the link to the job description and exciting opportunity to work closely with the National Alliance and KPWA developing and training UBT’s.

Applications must be received no later than end of day Sunday, June 12.

Bargaining Update: Skagit Regional Health

Skagit Regional Health 

More Momentum & More Roadblocks 

“Bargaining is frustrating, but we are finally starting to get some forward momentum. We appreciate your solidarity and support as we get closer to a contract we can feel comfortable presenting to you!” -Megan Osborn, Med Tech 

On Wednesday June 1 our Bargaining Team met with Management for the seventh joint negotiation session. We presented Management with multiple counter proposals, including one regarding telecommuting which would ensure we have control over how we work from home and includes a stipend for the technology costs we take on when doing so. Management provided some counters as well. While we were able to reach several tentative agreements on a couple of proposals, we were sad to see that Management chose to reject some of our most important ones, including a creation of a committee that would give us voice in staffing matters. Management also rejected our proposal to make swapping to variable shifts fully optional, despite the serious concerns our coworkers have expressed about being forced into these positions.

In order to clear the way for negotiating important economic issues, like wages and benefits, we need Management to work with us and find solutions to these important outstanding non-economic issues. While our team has been hard at work developing our initial wage and premium proposals, we won’t let Management force us into giving up on these other important topics that also affect recruitment and retention.
 
In our next session we hope that management will work with us to find real solutions so we can fully dive into the rest of our economic negotiations. In order to ensure that, we need to keep up the pressure and take actions to show Management we are united for a strong contract.

Our next session will be this Wednesday June 8, stay tuned for more updates. 

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

Join us at the next Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting!

on Tuesday, June 21 at 1PM and 6PM. RSVP and join via Zoom.

Skagit Regional Health Hospice Workers - Bargaining Team Recommends a Yes Vote on a Scheduling Pilot Program!

Our bargaining team reached a tentative agreement on a pilot program for hospice workers. This would let us test out a new scheduling system for a couple of weeks. With this information we can make a more informed choice about how we modify scheduling in our contract during bargaining.

The vote will be held online on Wednesday, June 15 from 9:00 AM - 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.

It’s very important that we have an up-to-date personal email for everyone so we can send you the link to vote. If anything has changed with your contact information since you last provided it please visit the link below and update your information as soon as possible:

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

If you do not receive an email to vote on June 15 and need to update your contact information, or have any questions, please contact your union representative Celia Ponce Sanchez cponcesanchez@ufcw21.org.

Vote Meeting Scheduled!

Prior to the vote we will provide you with a copy of the agreement and on Tuesday, June 14, your managers will release you from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM for a virtual meeting where we will have a space to review any questions or concerns.

Tuesday, June 14 • 1:00 PM

Pregister for the meeting:

https://bit.ly/3zhqhSD

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

We look forward to seeing you on the 14th!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Julia Douglas

Julia Douglas, ICU RN at Providence St. Peter Hospital and UFCW 3000 member

This week’s #MemberMonday spotlight is on Julia Douglas, who is currently an RN in the ICU at Providence St. Peter Hospital.

Julia approached one of the PSPH RN stewards about participating in the 2022 contract negotiations. While she as an ICU RN, Julia wanted to help RNs working in the emergency department, as it was a field she had worked in previously. Throughout negotiations, Julia tirelessly advocated for the ED RNs who are currently working in one of the most dangerous and emotionally challenging environments in patient care.

Julia’s persistence was rewarded. In fact, management actually commended Julia on her advocacy for a department she did not work in, and listened to her proposals and concerns. Julia helped the negotiating team push for language that will improve working conditions, and create a safer and more collaborative environment for all. Julia’s hard work helped win a strong contract, which was ratified by the RNs at PSPH last week!

Julia embodies the definition of solidarity and raising the voices of those who go unheard. She is an inspiration to all of us. Thank you, Julia!

Rosauers Moscow - Contract Vote Scheduled!

A contract vote has been scheduled for: 

Tuesday, June 14 

10AM - 12PM • 6PM - 8PM

LaQuinta Inn

185 Warbonnet Dr

Moscow Idaho 83843

UFCW 3000 members in good standing are eligible to vote and encouraged to attend a meeting, ask questions, and vote on the contract. For additional information reach out to your union representative Rob Roundy 509-943-8923.

Update Your Contact Info!

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

Forks Community Hospital - We Have Reached a Fully Recommended Tentative Agreement!

Your bargaining Committee has reached a tentative agreement on wages. Highlights of the agreement include significant wage increases for all nurses, increases to premium pay.

A contract vote has been scheduled for: 

Thursday, June 9 

12PM - 3PM

Forks Community Hospital 

Hospital Conference Room

530 Bogachiel Way 

Forks WA 98331

UFCW 3000 members in good standing are encouraged to attend the meeting, ask questions, and vote on the contract. For additional information reach out to a bargaining team member or your union representative Brandan Zielinski @206-436-6603. 

Update Your Contact Info!

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

St. Michael Medical Center RN - ULP Strike Authorization Vote Notice

Your Bargaining Team met with Management on May 31 to continue negotiations for the St. Michael Medical Center RN contract. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach an agreement.

We focused our proposals on addressing the staffing crisis at St. Michael Medical Center, demanding that the Employer implement safe staffing standards on every unit and raise wages to help retain and recruit nurses. Management has failed to seriously address these issues, refusing to be held accountable for our chronic staffing issues.

The Employer has made matters worse by committing several unfair labor practices (ULPs) in an attempt to intimidate nurses from engaging in union activity. We have filed unfair labor practice charges against the Employer when Management (1) threatened discipline to nurses wearing union stickers, (2) prevented nurses from distributing strike pledge cards, and (3) threatened discipline to nurses leafleting to patients during the picket.

Given the Employer’s serious ongoing unfair labor practices that are negatively impacting the bargaining process, our Bargaining Team has announced a ULP strike authorization vote. To go out on strike, two-thirds of voters must approve the strike. Going out on strike is always our last resort, but it is clear to our Bargaining Team that Management will not listen unless we take serious action. Authorizing a strike will empower our Bargaining Team to call a ULP strike if the Employer continues to drag their feet at the bargaining table.

It's imperative that everyone participate in the vote to show management that we stand in solidarity for a fair contract and against their unfair labor practice charges.

Voting Process:
DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE
Links to the vote documents are now available and and will be emailed out to nurses who have an accurate email on file with the Union.

www.ufcw21.org/s/SMMC-RN-Strike-Vote-Highlight.pdf
www.ufcw21.org/s/SMMC-RN-22-25-Proposed-Contract-Redline.pdf

ONLINE MEETINGS
Wednesday June 8
9AM // 6PM // 8:30PM
Contact a Bargaining Team member or your Union Rep for details. Details will also be emailed.
The Bargaining Team will run through the vote documents, provide details about the progress of negotiations, talk about what it means to go on strike, and answer any questions. Voting will NOT occur during these meetings.

VOTE DAY
Thursday June 9
6AM-9AM // 12PM-2PM // 4PM-9PM
Best Western Plus Silverdale Beach Hotel 3073 NW Bucklin Hill Rd
Silverdale, WA 98383
The vote will be in-person and nurses will have the opportunity to speak to Bargaining Team members and Union staff before casting their ballot. Please arrive during the posted vote times as we cannot allow members to enter the vote room outside of the advertised times.

Jefferson HealthCare RNs - Tentative Agreement Reached!

Our bargaining committee has reached a tentative agreement with Jefferson on a new three year contract. We are very excited to tell you that the agreement includes the following:

• Sustainable Wages Increases for all RNs and LPNs 

• Retro Pay from January 2 to Ratification

• Contract Signing Bonus of $1300 (prorated)

• Full Credit for relevant past experience (both new hires and current nurses!) 

• Bonus Shift Pay Improvements

• Double time for work beyond a scheduled shift on holidays

• Fully defined floating language

• Improved Scheduling Process

ONLINE VOTE SCHEDULED

The full contract offer will be available during the online vote on Tuesday, June 7 from 6AM - 8PM. You will receive an email from UFCW 3000 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information.

You must be a member in good standing to vote.

Make sure your information is up to date!

In order to vote, 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 June 7, please reach out to Union Representative Ryan Degouveia at rdegouveia@ufcw21.org  or 360-662-1989 no later than 7PM the on the date of the vote to provide an updated email address.

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Join the contract information meeting to review the full contract changes. One meeting will be held in-person at the hospital, and the other online through Zoom.

IN-PERSON

Friday, June 3 • 8AM - 8PM

Jefferson Health Care (Hospital)

834 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368

Cafeteria/Cafe

ONLINE

Monday, June 6
4PM - 8PM

https://zoom.us/join

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

It is important the union members attend one of the meetings to fully understand all of the changes to the contract and get your questions answered.

Providence St. Peter RN - PSPH RNs Overwhelmingly Ratify Contract!

On May 25, the PSPH RN unit voted to approve the contract! RNs will receive their across-the-board increase on the first full pay period following May 25, which starts on June 5. Additionally all full-time and part-time RNs shall receive a $1,000 bonus (pro-rated to assigned FTE) on the first full pay period following ratification. 

Our next step is to finalize the agreement and for both parties to sign the contract. Once the contract is signed we will post the contract onto our website. This process can take between four to six months. In the meantime, please reference the redline vote document. 

If you have any questions about the contract or issues with your pay, please reach out to your union rep Erin McCoy emccoy@ufcw21.org . 

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

Island, Jefferson, Clallam, Skagit, Whatcom counties, it’s time to vote!

Island, Jefferson, Clallam, Skagit, Whatcom counties, it’s time to vote!

Member Bargaining team recommends a YES vote!

This historic agreement is a direct result of our actions and commitment to fighting for essential frontline grocery store workers and serving the communities in which we live, both during and long before COVID. This is a Tentative Agreement and is not final until we vote to accept it. Full details of the agreement will be provided at each vote location. Our Union Member Bargaining Team reached this Tentative Agreement and recommends a YES VOTE to accept the proposal from the employers. These votes are open to all active members of UFCW 3000 Grocery Store Workers in Island, Jefferson, Clallam, Skagit, Whatcom, and independent stores covered by this Tentative Agreement.

Contract VOTE MEETINGS

Active members are eligible to vote at whichever location is most convenient, during any time when polling is open. All vote meetings will be open between the hours of 8:00AM — 12 Noon and 4:00PM — 8:00PM

MONDAY, JUNE 6 – BELLINGHAM
FOX HALL EVENTS CENTER, 1661 W Bakerview Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226

TUESDAY, JUNE 7 – OAK HARBOR
Best Western Plus, 33175 State Route 20 Oak Harbor, WA 98277

TUESDAY, JUNE 7 – MOUNT VERNON
UFCW 3000 Office, 1510 N 18th Street Mount Vernon, WA 98273

THURSDAY, JUNE 9 – PORT ANGELES
OLYMPIC LODGE, 140 S Del Guzzi Dr Port Angeles, WA 98362

FRIDAY, JUNE 10 – PORT TOWNSEND
HARBORSIDE INN, 330 Benedict St Port Townsend, WA 98368

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