Providence St. Peter Hospital RN It’s All Out There!

Providence St. Peter Hospital RN It’s All Out There!

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 More

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).

Providence St. Peter Hospital RN Contract Action Team Meeting

Providence St. Peter Hospital RN Contract Action Team Meeting

Following 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 More