On May 13 and 14, our RN Bargaining Team met with Providence St. Peter Hospital management for an eventful series of negotiations. These back-to-back sessions began with management presenting their initial economic counteroffer and concluded with our team making our final new proposals on retirement and healthcare.
Read MoreWe’re excited to announce that RN contract negotiations with Multicare will begin at the end of this month!
Read MoreOn 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.
May 15
May 21
Sign our Strike Pledge Card >>
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
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.
We presented two major economic proposals today: a revised wage scale, and a comprehensive staffing article—both crafted to raise standards at PSPH and recognize the skill, experience, and dedication of our nurses.
Read More“After intense negotiations we have reached a tentative agreement pending a vote by the Union members. We didn’t get everything we wanted, but positive changes to come!”
Read MoreOn 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!
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 >>
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).
Our Union Bargaining Team met with management again on April 10 to continue negotiations for our next contract. During this session management presented their first comprehensive economic counterproposal.
Read MoreFollowing our next-scheduled bargaining date on April 16 with Providence, join us at our next in-person Contract Action Team meeting to discuss strategies to build collective power and solidarity in pursuit of improving recruitment and retention, winning better working conditions, and strengthening benefits for Providence healthcare workers across Washington State.
Read MoreWe are the Union. The members of UFCW 3000 are over 50,000 members working in grocery, retail, health care, meat packing, cannabis, & other industries across Washington state, north-east Oregon, and northern Idaho. UFCW 3000 is a chartered member of UFCW International with over 1.4 million workers in North America.
To build a powerful Union that fights for economic, political and social justice in our workplaces and in our communities.
