Providence Centralia Hospital Technical - Bargaining Update

Providence Centralia Hospital Technical
Bargaining Update

Working to Raise Wages at All Steps

On Thursday, May 8, our union bargaining team met with Providence Centralia management for our third session of contract negotiations. Today marked a notable step forward, as we received the employer’s first counter to our wage and compensation proposal.

We were cautiously optimistic in reviewing management’s response, as their initial proposal similarly addressed a few of the key priorities we’ve raised at the table—most notably, eliminating “ghost steps” on the wage scale, as well as providing an outline for an experience audit process to ensure Technical workers at PCH are paid at the rate which aligns with their years of experience.

But there’s still room for improvement: the employer’s counter showed little movement on premiums—aside from a proposed increase to evening and night shift differentials; rates for standby (on-call), lead and preceptor pay, and weekend shift differentials were proposed at the current rates in our CBA.

In response to the employer’s counter, our team got to work drafting a response of our own—carefully reviewing each job classification’s current pay, comparing these to the rates being earned by healthcare workers at other regional hospitals, and building a strong second proposal on compensation and wage rates. We presented this proposal to management in the afternoon, and in our response highlighted that while we recognize the employer’s movement toward increasing compensation, our position still stands that the high number of vacancies across many of our units proves that stronger action is needed to truly attract and retain technical workers from across the region—management must offer highly competitive compensation to make Providence Centralia the destination caregivers want to commute to—not away from.

Beyond our wage scale, we maintained a proposal to increase various premium rates and included changes to the structure of some existing premiums to incentivize career growth, and reward skill development for workers who hold additional certifications or bachelor’s or master’s degrees.

We’re looking ahead to our next-scheduled bargaining date on May 28 to continue negotiations and working toward a strong contract!

Bargaining Team: Jennifer Frunz, Mammography Technologist; Jennifer Mullins, CT Technologist; Shauna Allen, Pharmacy Tech; Shea Carney, Respiratory Care Practitioner

"Our focus is to win a contract that respects our hard work, addresses staffing, and makes Centralia a place Techs choose to stay!"

— Shea Carney, Respiratory Care Practitioner

Contract Action Team Meeting

May 15
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Take Action

• Sign the strike pledge card: We need to show Providence we’re ready to do what it takes to get what we deserve. Sign the strike pledge card >> or ask a fellow member to sign it if they haven’t already.

• Leaders in Action:
  May 31
  10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  Olympia Labor Council Building
  How to Strike and Win >>

• Step up! We need department leaders to keep members engaged in the fight. Providence United – UFCW 3000 >>

• Organize, organize, organize: Know a worker who wants to join the union? Send them here >>

PRMCE Technical - Bargaining Begins!

On Wednesday, April 30, our union bargaining team representing the technical workers at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett (PRMCE) met with management for the first session of contract negotiations for the 2025 bargaining cycle.

To prepare for our first day, our team held a planning session on April 21 to review feedback from bargaining surveys submitted by our union siblings, and we used this input to conduct a comprehensive audit of our current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and identify areas for improvement. In addition, we've been collaborating closely with our coalition partners—SEIU 1199NW and WSNA—to research strong contract standards for healthcare workers both regionally and nationally. All of this groundwork has helped shape the proposals we're bringing to the table.

For this first session, we opened with proposals focused on several key non-economic articles—contract provisions that don't directly impact wages or benefits but are essential to protecting and improving our working conditions. Our initial proposals included:

• Free on-site parking for PRMCE employees.

• Priority access to extra shifts for bargaining unit members—before those shifts are offered to travelers or agency staff.

• Stronger workplace safety protections, including comprehensive proposals to prevent and respond to incidents of workplace violence.

Later that afternoon, the employer responded to our opening proposals, and we engaged in a productive dialogue around the priorities we brought forward. While no tentative agreements were reached on day one, the conversation marked a constructive start, and we are already working on thoughtful responses to management's counterproposals.

As we continue preparing for upcoming sessions, our team also spent time reviewing union contracts at neighboring hospitals to inform our upcoming economic proposals—including competitive wage scales, shift differentials, and premiums that reflect the value and skill of technical workers in our region.

"We're looking forward to returning to the bargaining table soon to continue this work. Our goal is clear: secure a stronger contract that delivers real improvements in pay, protections, and working conditions for the dedicated technical workers at Prov Everett!"

— Cris Cassady, IR Technologist

Your bargaining team:

• Maria Goodall, Vascular Technologist

• Cris Cassady, IR Technologist

• Terryl Smith, Pharmacy Technician

• Noah Holland, Sr. Surgical Tech

• Darryl Keffer, Respiratory Care Practitioner

• Rodney Powers, Radiology Technologist

Contract Action Team (CAT) Meeting

May 14
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Teamsters Local 38 Union Hall

• 2601 Everett Ave

• Everett, WA 98201

Sign the strike pledge card: We need to show Providence we're ready to do what it takes to get what we deserve. Sign the strike pledge card or ask a fellow member to sign it if they haven't already.

Leaders in Action:
May 31
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Labor Temple
"How to Strike and Win"
Event details

Step up! We need department leaders to keep members engaged in the fight.

Organize, organize, organize: Know a worker who wants to join a union? Send them here.

PRMCE Technical - CONTRACT ACTION TEAM MEETING

PRMCE Technical
CONTRACT ACTION TEAM MEETING

In anticipation of upcoming contract negotiations, join us at our next Contract Action Team meeting to discuss strategies to build collective power, get updates from the PRMCE Professionals Bargaining Team, and stand together in pursuit of increasing recruitment and retention, better working conditions, and improved benefits for Providence healthcare workers across Washington State!

CONTRACT ACTION TEAM MEETING
Wednesday, April 16
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

In-Person:
Teamsters 38 Union Hall
2601 Everett Ave, Everett, WA 98201

Virtual (ZOOM):
Check email for link
 
Sign the strike pledge card >>
We need to show Providence we're ready to do what it takes to get what we deserve. Sign the strike pledge card or ask a fellow member to sign it if they haven't already.

Step up! >>
We need department leaders to keep members engaged in the fight.

Organize, organize, organize >>
Know a worker who wants to join the union? Send them here.
 

Seattle Children’s Hospital Technical - Post Bargaining Update

As part of our recently ratified Union contract, our Union Bargaining Team negotiated a “true-up” meaning the Employer agreed to go back and review years of service at Seattle Children’s and credit members one step on the wage scale for every year of service as appropriate. It is intended to allow those whose previous wage step advancement was slowed down by the old requirement that 1,664 hours needed to be worked prior to the next increase to have past years of service based on anniversary date recognized. However, as part of this agreement Employees must request such a review within ninety days of ratification of the agreement.

Our contract was ratified on March 7.

To request a review, email your written request to:

LaborRelations@SeattleChildrens.org

...by no later than June 4, 2025.

Call Union Representative Christie Harris at (206) 436-6606 (landline) if you’d like to discuss further!

Our Bargaining Team (Left to Right): Adriana Ingwerson, Ultrasound Sonographer; Heidi Cuffee, Echo Sonographer; Jennifer Becker, Surgical Tech; Tesfaldet Kidanemariam, Respiratory Therapist; Robin Phare, Pharmacy Tech; Tarin Knight, END Tech

Summit Pacific Medical Center Technical and Service - Tentative Agreement Reached! Contract Vote Scheduled

Our Bargaining Team is excited to announce that after several months of bargaining, we have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for Technical and Service Workers!

The tentative agreement includes:

• Wage increases

• Ratification Bonus

• Increased Premiums

• Increased PTO Accrual

• Medical Assistant Training Pay

• Workforce Development Trainer Pay

• Education Leave

• New provision regarding Workplace Equity

Contract Vote Scheduled
Drop-in Tuesday, November 26

Summit Pacific Medical Center
11:00 AM-2:00 PM and 5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Rainier Conference Room
600 East Main Street
Elma, WA 98541

McCleary Healthcare Clinic
8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Conference Room
105 W Simpson Avenue
McCleary, WA 98557

The Bargaining Team recommends a “YES” vote!

UFCW 3000 members in good standing are encouraged to attend a meeting, ask questions, and vote on the contract. For additional information, contact Union Representative Kimberly Starkweather at (206) 436-6515 or talk to the Bargaining Team: Barb Ford, Judea Prouty, Kurt Phillips.

PRMCE Interventional Radiology Tech - Online Vote on October 29! Past Experience Recognized!

We have reached an agreement with PRMCE regarding past experience recognition for Interventional Radiology Techs. All current employees will receive credit for their prior experience as Radiology Techs, effective the first full pay period following ratification of the Letter of Understanding and following the resume submission.

As this change affects the current Technical contract, it requires a vote. All Interventional Radiology Techs who are union members in good standing are eligible to vote online on:

October 29
Between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Eligible members will receive a voting link via email from SimplyVote at 8:00 AM on October 29.

We strongly recommend a "YES" vote!

PRMCE Endoscopy Techs - Online Vote on October 30! Past Experience Recognized!

We have reached an agreement with PRMCE regarding past experience recognition for Endoscopy Techs. All current employees will receive credit for their prior experience as Certified Medical Assistants effective the first full pay period following ratification of the Letter of Understanding and following the resume submission.

As this change affects the current Technical contract, it requires a vote. All Endoscopy Techs who are union members in good standing are eligible to vote online

October 30
Between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Eligible members will receive a voting link via email from SimplyVote at 8:00 AM on October 30.

We strongly recommend a "YES" vote!