St. Michael Medical Center RN - Bargaining Update

On Thursday, May 8, our bargaining team returned to negotiations with the hospital and presented a comprehensive set of both economic and non-economic proposals. We are still apart on elements of our proposed workplace safety language. That said, we were able to tentatively agree on items such as:

• Enhanced new hire orientation language to better support incoming staff

• A shortened review window for per diems—from six months to three months—to assess eligibility for an FTE position

• Clearer language on paycheck errors, ensuring timely resolution

• Refined staffing committee language to align more closely with the staffing law SB 5236

Our economic package proposal was met with some familiar objections, particularly to our pension proposal, which management claimed would strain their ability to provide more significant wage increases. We reiterated that whether we're talking about a pension, a longevity bonus based on years of service, or staffing ratios with associated premium pay, all of these are designed to encourage retention of experienced RNs at SMMC.

We asked management directly: What do you propose to retain RNs?

In response to our proposal allowing RNs to access EIB after eight hours (instead of the current sixteen), management countered with language from the SMMC Professional and Technical Workers' contract that would significantly reduce the total amount of PTO we currently accrue. Their justification? It would allow for first-day use of all sick leave. This is not the trade-off we were looking for.

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

Next bargaining dates

• May 15

• May 21

Sign our Strike Pledge Card >>

Next Contract Action Team Meeting

May 15
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Virtual via Zoom

"We need EVERYONE to sign the dang strike pledge cards to show management we are serious about getting the BEST contract possible!"

— Tammy Olson (ICU)

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

St. Michael Medical Center RN - Bargaining update: Join us May 8!

St. Michael Medical Center RN
Bargaining update: Join us May 8!

On May 8, we're heading back to the bargaining table to present our counterproposal in response to the hospital's comprehensive economic and non-economic offer. Unfortunately, the hospital's proposal showed little movement—especially on our staffing priorities. In our response, we'll reinforce the urgent need for real staffing guardrails to protect both nurses and patients.

While we haven't been at the table the past few weeks, we've kept the momentum going in the community. Just recently, the Kitsap Sun reported on our ongoing efforts to win a strong contract.

As we continue bargaining, we need your support to show the hospital that we are united and serious about achieving meaningful change. That's why we're asking everyone to wear UFCW 3000 gear or yellow and blue scrubs to work on May 8. A strong visual message of unity helps build power at the table.

After the May 8 bargaining session, we'll hold a Contract Action Team (CAT) and bargaining update meeting. Please join us to hear the latest and find out how you can stay involved in the fight for better staffing and a fair contract.

Contract Action Team Meeting:
May 8
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Kitsap Sun article >>
Sign our strike pledge card! >>

St. Michael Medical Center RN - Bargaining Update

On April 16, we met with the SMMC management team and received a full counterproposal. While we appreciate that they responded to all of our proposals, the movement they made was minimal—and their responses fall far short of addressing the real priorities nurses have raised.

Our proposals focused on what we know is needed to recruit and retain nurses: safe staffing, competitive wages, and meaningful benefits. Despite the time we've spent explaining the urgent issues we face, the hospital's proposal was disappointing and, in some cases, proposed takeaways.

What SMMC Proposed:

• EIB usage only after two full shifts (our current contract states after 16 hours)

• Health insurance cost split for dependents to be determined solely by the employer

• Break relief coverage assigned to existing staff—not additional hires

• Wage increases: Year 1: 4.5%, Year 2: 2%, Year 3: 2.5%

At the table, management said they value nurses as highly skilled and highly valuable—but their proposals don't reflect that. We made it clear: SMMC is dealing with chronic staffing issues, missed meal breaks, and nurses regularly working above the staffing plan. That's why we proposed stronger staffing committee language and premiums when nurses are forced to work above the plan.

Management questioned the need for additional staffing language and extra pay under these circumstances. But we know why they're necessary: to hold SMMC accountable and ensure safe staffing for patients and nurses.

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for May 8, and we're working thoughtfully on our next counterproposal. We need every nurse's voice and strength at the table—and throughout the hospital hallways!

Let's Keep the Pressure On

If you haven't already, sign the strike pledge card. This doesn't mean we're going on strike, but it does send a powerful message that you are willing to authorize the bargaining team to take that step if needed to win a fair contract and protect patient care.

Encourage your coworkers to sign as well. The more nurses who stand together, the louder our message becomes.

SIGN HERE >>

Contract Action Team Meeting

May 8
7:00 PM
Virtual Meeting via Zoom >>

We'll be holding a Contract Action Team meeting to provide updates and answer any questions.

Stay strong, stay informed, and stay united—we're in this together!

"SMMC management is out of touch with the reality we face at the bedside every day."
— Kim Fraser

Our Union bargaining team: Lindsey Gearllach (Obs), Meredith Francisco (Med Surg), Kim Fraser (Pre-Op), Janice Brown (FBC). Not Pictured: Tammy Olson (ICU).

Saint Michael Medical Center RNs - Bargaining Update

On Thursday, April 3, our Bargaining Team met with Management to resume negotiations. In the morning we presented all our economic proposals except for retirement, which we want to discuss with our co-workers in an upcoming meeting (to be announced). We addressed staffing ratios, incentive shift language, break relief nurses, various new proposed premiums to recognize specialized skills of certain RNs, wages, increased PTO, and retention bonuses (among other things).

We were aghast at Management's attitude when we presented our economic package proposals, with members of their team making snide comments while our negotiator presented the information, and in some cases even laughing at proposals around staffing and break nurses.

After our presentation, Management took our proposals and went to caucus for an extended period. We then waited for responses on these economic items, as well as their next set of counterproposals on non-economics, which we last had passed to them on March 27. Upon returning some counterproposals towards the end of the day, we saw little substance in their responses but put together another pass of our own on non-economics to present first thing next week.

Our next bargaining date is April 10, with more sessions confirmed for April 16, May 8, and May 15. Stay tuned for all-member Contract Action Team meetings.

"We were excited to pass our initial economic and staffing proposals to management, including safe staffing ratios and market-competitive wages. But instead of taking them seriously, management literally laughed in our faces. It was beyond disrespectful and shows that we need to be ready to take action for a fair contract." 

— Meredith Francisco, RN (Med Surg)

Our Union Bargaining Team: Kim Fraser (Pre-Op); Janice Brown (FBC); Tammy Olson (ICU); Amanda Lancheros (ER); Lindsey Gearllach (Obs); Meredith Francisco (Med Surg)

Conifer St. Michael Medical Center - Bargaining Update

After meeting with the Employer on December 10 and 11 all day, our Union Bargaining Team has still not yet been able to reach a fully recommended settlement offer we can put to a contract vote.

We will be holding a Contract Action Team meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, December 17 at 5:00 PM to discuss with any and all of our interested bargaining unit coworkers where we are in this process and next steps.

"It has been slow going. While we have tentative agreement on most non-economic items, we are still working towards an agreement on wages and other economic sections of the contract. Management's current wage proposal is disappointing."

—Our Bargaining Team: Linnea Ellis, Patient Access Representative; Nicole Peschon, Coding Specialist

Conifer St. Michael Medical Center Bargaining Update

On June 6, 2024, our opening letter requesting bargaining dates with Conifer Revenue Cycle Solutions was sent. On June 13, Local 3000 received a response from Conifer saying that the Employer considers “this request to be overly premature”, and that “Conifer does not understand the reasons for beginning negotiations so early”. Well, it is because we are hoping to secure a new Collective Bargaining Agreement as soon as we can! As such, we were not able to set bargaining dates in June or July, but have secured August 28 for our first day of bargaining. Meanwhile, we do have a request out for September bargaining dates and look forward to getting to the bargaining table. As stated in our previous update, the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires October 31, 2024.

Union Representative Ryan Degouveia has assembled a Bargaining Team of our coworkers and we will be holding an open virtual meeting for all workers at Conifer St. Michael on June 25 between 5:30PM and 6:30PM. We hope to have an open and frank conversation about folks’ top priorities. As our Silverdale office is in the process of moving, this will be online-only via Zoom. Details will be forthcoming via text message very soon!

Should you have any questions or wish to be involved in building workplace solidarity to win a strong contract, Union Representative Ryan Degouveia can be reached at 360-662-1982.

Make sure your personal contact information is up to date so you don’t miss important bargaining information and union benefits!

Update your information here >>

St. Michael Medical Center - Questions About the Overpayment Settlement?

Come Talk to a Rep About the Overpayment Settlement!

On September 26, our UFCW union rep and MRC rep will be at the SMMC cafeteria to answer questions about the overpayment settlement.

Tuesday, September 26

• 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM  

• 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM  

• 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Read about the settlement on your contract page: 

>> St. Michael Medical Center RN
>> St. Michael Medical Center Pro-Tech
>> St. Michael Medical Center Service & Dietary

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health - 2022 overpayment settlement

Find your contract and learn more about the settlement!

St. Anne: https://ufcw3000.org/find-your-contract/2015/2/11/highline-medical-center-contract

St. Joseph (Pharmacy): https://ufcw3000.org/find-your-contract/2015/2/11/st-joseph-hospital-contract

St. Joseph (Technical): https://ufcw3000.org/find-your-contract/2021/6/7/conifer-st-joseph-medical-center

St. Michael (Nurses): https://ufcw3000.org/find-your-contract/2015/2/11/harrison-medical-center-rn-contract

St. Michael (ProTech): https://ufcw3000.org/find-your-contract/2015/2/11/harrison-medical-center-pro-tech-contract

St. Michael (Service/Dietary): https://ufcw3000.org/find-your-contract/2015/2/11/harrison-medical-center-service-dietary-contract

Virtual Health: https://ufcw3000.org/find-your-contract/2018/12/13/virtual-health-contract
 
In October and November 2022, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) experienced a cyberattack and as a result shutdown Kronos (timekeeping software). To ensure that employees were paid on time, VMFH estimated the amount of pay based on employees’ FTE and estimated employee’s premium payments based on the amount of premium payments on the October 7, 2022 paycheck. 

On the November 4, 2022 paycheck, VMFH paid every affected employee the total of regular hours and premium pay earned for both the October 2-15, 2022 pay period and the October 16-29, 2022 pay period. Given this, many employees were overpaid and VMFH sought repayment from employees. 

Although VMFH can recoup the overpayment, they needed to negotiate with our union prior to implementing a repayment plan. Since they didn’t do so our union filed an unfair labor practice with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and grievances for all bargaining units. Additionally, a demand to bargain over the repayment process. 

After months, we were able to settle the matter. Employees who were overpaid less than $2000 will repay the amount in four equal installments and employees who were overpaid more than $2000 will repay the amount in six equal installments. If you do not agree with the amount due, you can submit a written notice within ten business days of receiving the “repayment request” from VMFH. This request was sent on or around September 8 to your work email. 

If you have need help navigating through the process, please feel free to reach out to our union representative or the Member Resource Center (866) 210-3000. 

St. Michael Medical Center (Pro-Tech) - Contract ratified!

St. Michael Medical Center (Pro-Tech)
Contract ratified!

On Friday, June 30, we overwhelmingly voted to ratify our new collective bargaining agreement! Our new contract includes some of the highest pay in the region, a completely revamped wage scale with no ghost steps, increases to several differentials, and much more.

We will work with the Employer to get a final signed copy of your contract printed as soon as possible, but in the meantime, the redline version can be found HERE >>

Bargaining Team: Paul Harris, ER Tech; Chris Young, Transport; Don Szabo, Lead Medical Imaging; Rob Shauger, CNA 8th floor; Angela Roberson, Heart and Vascular; Connie Baker, RT; Kain McLeod, Pharm Technician; Alicia Krug, Surgery Tech

St. Michael Medical Center (Pro-Tech) - Tentative agreement reached - Vote Scheduled

Ratification Vote

Join your coworkers and vote on the new contract!

Friday, June 30
6 AM—9 AM • 12 PM—3:30 PM • 6 PM —9 PM
St. Michael Medical Center - Conference Room G920 (near cafeteria), 1800 NW Myhre Rd, Silverdale, WA 98383

Our Union Bargaining Team is excited to announce that after negotiating late into the night of June 20, we have reached a tentative agreement with Management on our new contract!

Highlights of the proposed agreement include:

• Goodbye to ghost steps: We have completely revamped the wage scale, ensuring that each step represents a meaningful increase. No more steps with a 0% increase.

• Historic wage increases: Substantial raises for each classification that recognize the value of our work and dedication.

• Healthcare maintained: Our healthcare coverage remains intact, providing the same level of comprehensive coverage, low cost, and support as before.

• Standby pay for professional and technical roles will see an unprecedented increase.

• We have restored the Per Diem differential back to 15%.

• Our new contract also includes improved language on critical issues such as low census, preceptorship, certification pay, grievances, and much more!

The above highlights only scratch the surface of all the improvements proposed for our contract. More details, including copies of the entire proposed contract, will be available at the ratification vote.

Bargaining Team: Paul Harris, ER Tech; Chris Young, Transport; Don Szabo, Lead Medical Imaging; Rob Shauger, CNA 8th floor; Angela Roberson, Heart and Vascular; Connie Baker, RT; Kain McLeod, Pharmacy Technician

St. Michael Medical Center Service & Dietary - Tentative agreement reached - Vote scheduled

St. Michael Medical Center - Service & Dietary
Tentative agreement reached
Vote scheduled

After many months of bargaining, we finally have a tentative agreement! We worked hard to get a contract that works for all, and won historic wage increases that can help recruit and retain qualified staff. Our new agreement includes:

• New wage scales and job classifications

• Filled in all ghost steps

• Pay for call in advance of shift

• Management will pay for certifications including food handler’s card

• Pandemic Language

• And much more!

The vote will be in-person and members will have the opportunity to speak to Bargaining Team members 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.

Join your co-workers and vote on the new contract

Wednesday, May 17
8:30am—10:30am | 12pm—3:30pm | 5pm—7pm
St. Michael Medical Center, conference room 1.939 (first floor of the new hospital by the blue elevators)