Skagit Regional Health Bargaining Continues

On August 17th and 25th our Bargaining Team met with Management for our 12th & 13th negotiation sessions. We discussed staffing, wages and other economic issues we believe are important to all of us working for Skagit. Our team was disheartened to see Management’s economic proposal. After our bargaining session on the 17th, Management claimed “More than 80% of the bargaining unit would receive between a 4.5% and 16% increase in 2022 under our proposal.” Please read that carefully! This apparently includes market adjustments or longevity steps you have ALREADY received or are due in 2022. Increases that had to be done because SRH cannot attract and retain new workers in many departments.

The truth is they offered a fixed base wage increase of 3% in year 1 and a total increase of 7.5% to cover a proposed nearly three-and-a-half-year term. While we continue to push for additional market adjustments and believe those are important, the Employer’s base wage proposal averages less than 2.5% per year. Our Union Bargaining Team does not believe such a proposal is a serious attempt by Management to remedy staffing shortages or creates a compensation package competitive enough to attract new workers. We also believe it is unfair to existing employees who are experiencing increased housing, food, gas and living costs.

In addition to the economic proposals, our Bargaining Team continues to push for agreements regarding safe staffing practices, including rest between shifts, limitations on the amount of standby employees must work or time they may be held over the end of their shift, and compensation for per diems in order to make SRH more competitive in attracting additional help. We also made proposals we believe are important reflections of the organization’s claim to be more inclusive like requirements to have Spanish and Russian speaking interpreters available at the Hospital to assist us with patient care. We proposed adding Juneteenth as a holiday, an already federally recognized holiday, but it was rejected by Management. Skagit Regional Health tells us they value diversity-but they are yet to show it. Upcoming bargaining sessions will be September 2, 8, and 14.

Our team will continue to fight for wage increases for all classifications as well as ways to address staffing and safety issues. We will continue to bargain in good faith but we need to hear from you.

NOW IS THE TIME TO GET INVOLVED WITH OUR UNION!

Join us in Solidarity at our next Contract Action Team meeting on August 31 at 1pm via Zoom, Or at 6pm in person at UFCW 3000 Union Office, 1510 N 18th Street, Mt Vernon.

RSVP to the online meeting ▸

We demand Skagit Regional Health pay us higher wages and create a great work life balance environment!

Add your name to our petition! bit.ly/skagit-petition-sign

WhidbeyHealth - Management Rejects Union Proposal

On August 25, we met with WhidbeyHealth management for our second bargaining session regarding the wage reopener for the Pros/Techs/LPNs and Support Services. Management rejected our across-the-board 25% wage increase proposal. They told our team that they believe their targeted market adjustments on July 31 is the first step to helping resolve retention and recruitment issues.

Management used Jefferson Healthcare and Island Hospital wage rates to create their wage scale. We are encouraged that some have received a substantial increase, but others received between a 0% to 2% increase. We need equitable pay for all workers!

We have been below market for several years, in some classifications by more than 20%. Union members organizing pushed Management to announce the July 31 increases. We have been asking Management for several months for competitive pay to resolve our recruitment and retention issues.

We have asked Management to revisit our proposal and expect them to respond with a proposal that addresses our concerns. Our next bargaining session is on September 23 and have requested to meet sooner. We have also asked Management to send their proposal prior to the meeting to expedite the bargaining process.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your bargaining team members or union representative, Celia Ponce-Sanchez.

Your bargaining committee,

Jennifer MacNeill, Rosalie Nguyen, Qiana Johnson, Marilyn Faber, Gwendolyn Cole, Lisa Olds, Marty Riley, Elke Rogers

Capital Medical Center RN Bargaining Update

We had two more bargaining sessions with Management where we got a few more tentative agreements. We spent a lot of time talking about PTO. Management wants to keep us in alignment with all of the other MultiCare facilities, which we are okay with but they also need to recognize we are our own bargaining unit with our own needs.

We, as a Bargaining Team, want to be sure that none of us are left behind. If Management wants to make changes and put us in alignment, we want to make sure that all our coworkers are coming out on top.

“Things are moving in bargaining, but it seems like we have more questions for Management than what they are giving us. We need more answers from Management so we can get more done.” – Elisabeth Hildebrand, Cath Lab

“Management has made proposals around PTO that leaves some of our coworkers behind. We want to make sure none of our coworker are left behind!” – Cindy Dixon, PACU

LabCorp - What is our union doing to make our workplace better?

What is our union doing to make our workplace better?

We have several grievances currently ongoing including the payroll crisis, the missing 401k contributions, and mandatory overtime. We’ve demanded to bargain the installation of GPS trackers on the courier vehicles. We’re also working to resolve ongoing issues, such as:

• Inappropriate and false messaging - Yes, the contract says they can give you a raise!

• New employee orientation - LabCorp says it’s too difficult to email the agreed-upon union welcome letter to the new hires.

• Unknowingly reassigned job descriptions/classifications other than what you were hired for

• Difficulties in taking breaks/lunches

• And much more!

Earn dues credit if you’ve been with LabCorp for less than 6 months! Attend a virtual New Member Meeting and receive a $50.00 credit towards your initiation fee. It’s only half an hour and you’ll learn a lot of your valuable rights, protections, and benefits that will help and protect you. Sign up at: ufcw21.org/new-members

If the online New Member Meeting schedule does not work for you, call Union Rep Christie Harris @ 206-436-6606 to do a one-on-one anytime via online, phone, or in person!

We’re continuing to build our power for more fair and just workplaces. At our next monthly virtual meeting, Sunday, August 28, we will strategize a plan to win a strong contract next year, including substantial wage increases to recruit and retain staff. Improvements will be on the table, such as:

• An option to take home your courier vehicle

• Stronger protections against mandatory overtime

• More affordable health care

• Better call-in pay/language

• And much more!

Join your coworkers for the next virtual meeting! All questions are welcomed and encouraged. Go to the URL next to the meeting time that you will attend.

Sunday, August 28
10am and 6:30pm
Contact Christie Harris for meeting details. Check your email for the direct links!

Stay up to date with the information that impacts your workplace. Scan the QR code to join our private Facebook group page!

Your Weingarten Rights: If you’re called into a meeting that you think could lead to discipline, STOP! Ask for union representation. “I request a union representative during this meeting. If you accuse me or ask me questions I believe may lead to my discipline, I have a right not to answer those questions and will continue to ask for a union representative until you comply with my request.”

Fresenius Renal Care - Bargaining Update

Workers at Fresenius are standing up against low wages!

Many Fresenius workers have signed the petition asking management for fair wages and to respect the work we do!

Let management know that we need to be treated with respect!

If you have not signed the petition, here is the link:

Representatives from UFCW and WSNA are working together! Both the Techs and the Nurses are in bargaining and at both bargains it is clear that management isn’t worried about our low wages and serious staffing issues.

So we have started a second petition that is for community, family and friends to let them know what we need from Fresenius!

Sign the community petition below:

If you have need additional information, reach out to Union Representative Ryan Degouveia 360-662-1989 or rdegouveia@ufcw3000.org

If you or a coworker are not getting emails from us, use this link to update your contact information:

www.ufcw21.org/update-your-information

Harbor Regional Health - Management is Unprepared

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

Our bargaining team was scheduled to meet with management on Friday. The bargaining team met at 9:00am and waited for management’s proposal. Management contacted us around 11:00am and said they were working on a complex counter proposal and wouldn’t be able to get it to us that day.

They had three weeks to get ready! Yet again they came to bargaining unprepared!

Hundreds of workers are relying on management to do what’s right and pay them what they deserve.

We do our jobs—management needs to do theirs!

We need management to see we are prepared to do what it takes to get this contract. Talk to your coworkers about signing the strike pledge card.

Join us for our next Contract Action Team Meeting

Tuesday, August 30 • 6:00 PM

Duffy’s

1605 Simpson Avenue

Aberdeen, WA 98520

See you there!

VFHM St. Joseph Medical Center Pharmacy - Bargaining Begins

Our Bargaining Team, Left to Right Top to Bottom:

Amanda Carter, Becky Christensen, Beau Chiba, Aimee Cooke

On August 11, your Pharmacy Bargaining Team met with management to begin our contract negotiations. While wages will come at a later bargaining date, we had a productive first day. The team was able to discuss PTO concerns, some economic items, and many of the concerns identified thru your surveys and feedback.

Future bargaining dates include August 24, August 31, September 12, and September 28. There’s still room for new Contract Action Team members. If interested, reach any of the bargaining team members below for more information.

“Good conversations were had today at the table. We presented some of our priorities and I look forward to managements response at our next negotiations.”

— Aimee Cooke

Conifer St. Joseph and St. Elizabeth - We Are All Worth Retaining and No One Should Be Left Behind!

Conifer has given wage increases to employees at St Michael Medical Center, St. Francis Hospital and others while intentionally leaving out St. Joseph and St. Elizabeth.

UFCW Local 3000 has formally requested wage increases for members at St. Joseph and St. Elizabeth to help with recruitment and retention as well as to counter the rising cost of living.

Management quickly responded to our request by saying they were not interested in giving us a mid-cycle wage increase. Management specifically said that they believe our “compensation is appropriate and additional market adjustments will not be provided nor are we required to take such action.”

We are all worth retaining and deserve better wages! We have coworkers who continue to leave to go elsewhere because they can get better somewhere else. If management wants to retain and recruit others, they need to respect us by paying us what they have given others and what we deserve.

“To get the same raise from Conifer that were given to other workers would show that the company values us as employees. It would lessen the stress of high costs we are dealing with because of many years of raises that have not even kept up with inflation. The pandemic has been a really difficult time for all healthcare workers and acknowledging our hard work and the contributions made to our community and our hospital would be REALLY meaningful. Conifer is treating union employees differently from our counterparts. We feel that St. Joseph and St. Elizabeth facilities are being discriminated against by not being offered the same raises that are given to other Conifer employees. Management has even told hospital employees that we can’t be given the raises since we are members of a union. Union employees need to be treated fairly by Conifer! We have stood with Conifer during the worst of times during the Covid crisis and we need Conifer to show that we are valued by extending us the same raises as our fellow employees.”

— Diane Demorest, Patient Account Rep at Conifer St. Elizabeth Hospital

“Conifer not giving us the 10% Market Increase is over a $2 an hour lost income for me. Equaling over $5,000 a year! If they value us as employees they need to pay us market rates. Not punish us because we are union. Many other companies out there paying more and that’s why we have such a high turn over in staff. The company is losing a lot of money onboarding and training people only to lose a lot of them in less than a month. Rather than paying more to retain their staff.”

— Marne Lint, Patient Access at St. Joseph Medical Center.

Sign a petition calling management to do the right thing and give us the wages we deserve!

Confluence Health - Job Classification Addition Pharmacy Tech

Confluence has proposed an increase to the current wage scale for all Pharmacy Tech, Pharmacy Tech I and Pharmacy Tech II mid contract.

Because it is a change to our contract, we will need to have the affected members vote on the change. 

All affected UFCW 3000 members in good standing are encouraged to vote “YES” on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 from 12:00pm – 2:00pm in Conference Room E. You must be in good standing and present to vote. 

You will be provided with the proposal at the vote meeting. 

Confluence Health - Job Classification Addition Endoscopy Technician III

Confluence has proposed an additional job classification for an Endoscopy Technician III and would create an additional wage scale.

Because it is a change to our contract, we will need to have the affected members vote on the change.

All affected UFCW 3000 members in good standing are encouraged to vote “YES” on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 from 11:00am – 11:30pm in Conference Room E. You must be in good standing and present to vote.

You will be provided with the proposal at the vote meeting.

Richland Fred Meyer - This community has our back - give us a fair contract!

Richland Fred Meyer

This Community Has Our Back, Give us a Fair First Contract!

Our Richland Bargaining Team met on August 16 and 17 and exchanged many proposals with the company including; arbitration procedures and grievance processes, workplace safety language, union security guarantees, just cause protections, paid holidays, sick leave and other important issues. We are very close to an agreement on many of these critical matters. We have dates set in September to continue negotiations with the employer over these critical issues.

Our team continues to fight for:

• Fair wages with an enforceable wage scale and increases.

• Affordable and quality health care that cannot be changed without the agreement of our union team.

It’s time to show Fred Meyer that this community is clearly on our side and demands that we get the fair first contract that includes fair wages, good health care, secure retirement, and a voice on the job that we deserve!

Save the date:

‘This Community Has Our Back, Give us a Fair First Contract’

Richland Community Rally, October 7 from 1:00-3:00PM

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.

Providence Everett, listen to your caregivers!

We are facing staffing issues across all units daily, and Providence refuses to listen to our staffing solutions! We will be sharing our stories with the community during our leaflet action:

Wednesday, August 24
10:30am - 12pm
Colby and Pacific Campus Entrances

Fresenius Renal Care - Bargaining Update

We have been working hard during contract negotiations August 15 and are scheduled to meet again August 22.

Our bargaining sessions now include a representative from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to help both sides come to an agreement. Management is saying they appreciate us, but the cost of living keeps going up and management is not offering wages to meet the increased costs we are facing every day. All this while we continue to be understaffed and are covering extra shifts.

Workers at Fresenius are standing up against low wages!

Many Fresenius workers have signed the petition asking management for fair wages and to respect the work we do!

Let management know that we need to be treated with respect!

If you have not signed the petition, here is the link:

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

In solidarity, representatives from both UFCW and WSNA will be distributing buttons, which we are asking workers to wear. If you have not received a button, reach out to Union Representative Ryan Degouveia 360-662-1989 or rdegouveia@ufcw3000.org

If you or a coworker are not getting emails from us, use this link to update your contact information.

GHCH/HRH Workers Unite!

Buttons are showing up on so many workers at HRH! Keep wearing buttons!

On Thursday, August 11, union members joined forces to distribute buttons on both campuses. The buttons are being worn in solidarity with the HRH Bargaining Team demanding a fair contract. We will continue to wear the buttons. 

Starting today—Monday, August 15—we will be distributing a Strike Pledge Card.

In solidarity with the Bargaining Team, the Strike Pledge Cards let management know that we are willing to do whatever it takes to get a fair contract! 

If you have questions or concerns, contact Union Representative Brandan Zielinski at BZielinski@ufcw3000.org or call him at 206-436-6603.

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!

UFCW 3000 Member Story: Sonia Padilla

Sonia Padilla, UFCW 3000 member and health care worker at North Valley Hospital

This week’s #MemberMonday spotlight is on Sonia Padilla, who has worked at North Valley Hospital in Tonasket, WA for 20 years!

Sonia immigrated to to the United States from Mexico at the age of 15. For 3 summers, she worked in the orchards while learning English. In her senior year of high school, Sonia told her dad that she wanted to try something other than farm work. Sonia enrolled in the CNA program offered through her high school.

Sonia recalls going to the North Valley Hospital DNS every other day, asking if any positions had opened. Finally, she was offered a position as a sitter; at the time of her hire, Sonia was also the only Latina worker at the hospital. In the two decades since, Sonia has advanced her career from CNA to currently a MA-C in the Emergency Room.

Sonia's patients love that she always treats everyone as if they are her family, providing the most compassionate care she can to her patients and their families. Her co-workers deeply respect Sonia, seeing her as a treasure trove of knowledge and expertise. Sonia is always looking out for her co-workers' rights, bringing forward issues, and helping to enforce their contract.

She is a bright star to her co-workers and community. Sonia — thank you for all that you do!

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center - New three-year contract Ratified by SUPER MAJORITY VOTE

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center

New three-year contract Ratified by SUPER MAJORITY VOTE in RECORD time and far before expiration

Our Bargaining Team met with the Employer for expedited bargaining sessions where we focused on wages. Through this new process we were able to secure wage increases 5 months earlier than the contract expiration for all Service and Maintenance employees represented by UFCW 3000 and compensate them fairly for the work they do. The wage increases are the largest collectively that we have seen at Providence Sacred Heart and will make us market competitive within our Region.

Thank you to all members who joined one of our vote meetings and participated in this process.

Contact a bargaining team member or your Union Representative for any questions or concerns as they were the ones participating in the process at the bargaining table.

“Every negotiation I learn something new. This years expedited bargaining was certainly a plus! It seemed a smoother process.” – Kaye Balk, Registrar

“This was my first negotiation. I am loving feeling heard. I also feel a part of a team that spoke and worked for over 1100 of my co-workers/caregivers.” – Margaret Lauricella, Monitor Tech

“it’s nice to see the excitement and all the voices come together to make the changes they deserve.”– Aaron Leigh Food Service,

“The Union Members’ voting have been extremely positive! Good news for everyone today.” – Patty Martin, Financial Counselor

“I am so Proud of the members who came together and made this contract happen. YOU Earned This.” – Michael McDonald ER Tech

“Felt Great to help be part of the process of getting people the pay raises they deserve.” – Brad Starkey, Environmental Services

“It was great to come up with an agreement that’s good for All of our members.” – Nicole Taylor, ER Tech

“This experience was incredibly interesting and an eye opener” – William Volpone, Lab Assistant

“Seeing my coworkers throughout the hospital of all ages and backgrounds have their voice heard makes me proud to be a UNION MEMBER.” – Ryan Walton, Sterile Supply Tech

Planned Parenthood - Upcoming Union Rep Meetings

Hola Planned Parenthood Staff,

A reminder of the new clinic visit schedule for next week. I hope you’ll all have some time to say hello, though I fully understand staffing is an issue. If you will not be available at the scheduled visit time, feel free to reach out to Charlie at 206.436.6518 or contact a shop steward. I know you’re very busy with patients, but I hope you have a few minutes to meet the folks who represent you. We are here to listen to your concerns. You’ll also be able to update any contact information and offer your opinion on t-shirts and button slogans we’re considering.

Thank you again for your hard work in trying times. We appreciate you!

Mon 8/15/22
Bremerton HC | 8:30am - 10:30am
Port Angeles HC | 12:30pm

Wed 8/17/22
Olympia HC | 10:30am - 12:30pm
Puyallup HC | 2pm - 4pm

Thurs 8/18/22
Federal Way HC | 9am - 11am
White Center HC | 1pm - 3pm
Bellevue HC | 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Marysville HC | 9:30am - 11:30am
Everett HC | 1pm - 3pm
Lynnwood HC | 3:30 - 5:30pm

Fri 8/19/22
Northgate HC | 8:30am – 10:30am
University District HC | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Tacoma building | 8:30am - 11am
Central District HC | 12:30pm - 3:30pm

Capital Medical Center RN - Bargaining Goes Virtual

Photo Left to Right:

Dennis & Bonnie Verellen, Brandan Zielinski, Elisabeth Hildebrand, Steven Toff, Malando Redeemer, Carol Cairone

During our first virtual bargaining session with Capital Medical Center, we received management’s response to our initial proposals, and used the remaining time to dig deeper into the issues facing RNs at Capital Medical Center!

“We’re working hard to identify a better process for all of us to recognize issues with payroll and quickly fix them. Our payroll systems are just too difficult to read!”

— Bonnie Verellen

“It’s time to rectify the differences between Capital Medical Centers healthcare with the rest of MultiCare at large!”

— Elisabeth Hildebrand

As we continue our hybrid model of bargaining, we also want to continue to stress the importance of hearing your voices throughout this contract negotiation. Reach out to anyone of us on the bargaining team, or our union rep Brandan Zielinski at (206) 436-6603 or via email BZielinski@ufcw3000.org

Capital Medical Center RN - We Are United for a Strong Contract

Our Bargaining Team (Left to Right):

Dennis Verellen (ICU/PCU)

Elisabeth Hildebrand (Cath Lab)

Bonnie Verellen (Labor & Delivery)

Carol Cairone (OR)

Cindy Dixon (PACU)

We had our first bargaining session and led on our vision of what a great Capital Medical Center looks like. With your input we presented our priorities to MultiCare management and told them that our team is united for:

• Competitive Wages that recruit and retain workers

• Safe Staffing for us and our patients

• Safe working conditions for all our coworkers

• Raising standards to meet other MultiCare Units.

“As we began bargaining, we shared with management the important of raising us to the standards of other MultiCare units up north. Just because we are in Olympia doesn’t mean we deserve less than others. We deserve the same services, benefits and resources as others.”

— Dennis Verellen

“We had a successful start to our bargaining coming to some agreements right out the gate. With your support and involvement I believe we will have a successful bargain and win a strong contract.”

— Carol Cairone

Together we can win!

Many hands make light work! If you are interested in being involved and staying up-to-date please join the Contract Action Team (CAT). Reach out to anyone of us on the bargaining team or our union rep Brandan Zielinski at (206) 436-6603 or via email BZielinski@ufcw3000.org.