Your Rights During Flooding and Extreme Weather Events

Once again UFCW 3000 members and communities are facing some extreme fall and winter weather, including recent flooding. It is important to remember that if you, your family, or your coworkers have been affected by extreme weather, you have rights at work, resources through your union, and the support of your community.

Important rights and resources for UFCW 3000 members if your workplace, home, or transportation routes are flooded or evacuated:

1. Just cause protections at work: With a union contract, you have “just cause” protection, meaning you should not be disciplined at work for reasonably having to deal with a circumstance outside of your control like a flood that affects your home, work, or commute to work

   • Be clear in communicating with your employer if you are unable to report to work on time or at all due to flooding or other extreme weather

   • Make sure to invoke your right to union representation if you are called into a meeting that could lead to discipline (we call these “Weingarten Rights,” read more here)

2. The right to a safe workplace: If you feel unsafe at work, report any safety concerns to your worksite safety committee & management right away, and get support from your Shop Steward and/or Union Rep if your concerns are not addressed

3. Union resources: If your home or work is affected by flooding or extreme weather and financial assistance would help, speak with your Union Rep about the UFCW 3000 Membership Assistance Fund. We also have a resource page for power outages and other effects if need be during these events.

4. Mutual aid: As union members, we know standing together and supporting each other is how we really make a difference. If you have ideas for ways to connect with or support fellow UFCW 3000 members in need, talk to a Shop Steward and/or your Union Rep for help with organizing

Extreme weather is dangerous in our workplaces and our communities, which is why UFCW 3000 members, including our Climate Justice Advisory Board, work for climate policies that will help protect us and our future health.

Providence Swedish Rehab Hospital - Bargaining Update

We negotiated with management on December 1 and December 3. Our focus is getting competitive wages for all three years of the contract, creating a contract provision for education, and continuing to negotiate over layoff and severance pay, seniority, and management rights.

Our team hopes that management is receptive to keeping wages and other economics competitive and we have spent a great deal of time discussing the work we do and our dedication to excellent patient care in our work.

On December 3 we also hosted a drop-in Zoom meeting to discuss where we are at in bargaining and we plan to meet again soon.

Our next bargaining date is December 15, 2025.

If you would like additional information, talk to a Bargaining Team member.

Bargaining Team: Eleanor Artman, Christina Murphy, Katrina de la Cruz

Wenatchee Regional Eye Center - Contract Vote Scheduled—Our Team Recommends a "YES"Vote!

"Our team is excited to announce we have reached a tentative agreement that reflects our strength and solidarity as a Union. Your vote is critical to solidify this process and create a better working environment for everyone. Let's come together to ensure our future is bright! Now is the time to make our voices heard!"

— Sarah Edwards

"After a long day and extending our negotiations into the evening on December 3, we have reached a tentative agreement with the Employer. We have been bargaining since July and creating something that will make us feel heard and valued. We are very excited about this tentative agreement and feel like this is a huge win for our team at Wenatchee Regional Eye Center. I encourage everyone to come to the vote, learn about what has been accomplished and join our Union so your voice can be heard!"

— Cirri Cornelius

"Following numerous bargaining meetings and an extended day, our Bargaining Team reached a tentative agreement on our first contract with the Employer. Our team demonstrated exceptional influence and effectively communicated our interests, reaching an agreement that will change our jobs to careers! The concessions we have secured are substantial, but we will have work to do to be ready for negotiations in two and a half years. As a Bargaining Team member, I strongly recommend that you exercise your voice in favor of this agreement!"

— Martin Hernandez

Contract Vote

Tuesday, December 16
4pm - 8pm
Confluence Health Central Campus Conference Room K

Our team is excited to share the complete document with you at the vote and answer any questions you may have. If you have any questions, reach out to a Bargaining Team member or your Union Rep, Becky Latzel at (509) 340-7370.

Fresenius Medical Care Technical - Contract Vote Scheduled

At our last bargaining session, Fresenius management presented a Last Best and Final offer, which automatically triggers a contract vote on the Employer's proposal.

Please join our online vote information meetings next week to review and talk together about the Employer's offer.

If you have any questions, reach out to our Union Rep Charlie King or a member of our Bargaining Team.

Contract Vote

Tuesday, December 16
11:30am - 3:30pm
South Tacoma Clinic
5825 Tacoma Mall Blvd
STE 103
Tacoma, WA 98409

Contract Review and Vote Info Meetings

Tuesday, December 9
6:30pm - 7:15pm

Wednesday, December 10
10am - 10:45am

Thursday, December 11
6:30pm - 7:15pm

Join Zoom Meeting >>
Meeting ID: 712 328 6135
Passcode: 36309

Sound Health and Wellness Trust Update to our Health Care Provider

Update to our Health Care Provider

The quality, affordable health care plan used by thousands of UFCW 3000 members and managed through the Sound Health and Wellness Trust (SHWT) has an important change coming next year for PPO members. SHWT will be switching providers from Aetna to Premera beginning January 1, 2026.

One thing that would be important to do by mid-December is to confirm that your current health care provider(s) are in-network for Premera. You can do this by following these steps:

Visit the Premera website at: https://www.premera.com/shared-admin

• Click on the “Find a Doctor” link.

• Click on the drop-down menu under the word “Network” at the top of the page and select the “BlueCard PPO.” Enter the City of your provider, and the put the provider’s name in the search bar.

• You should see your provider’s name and information. This confirms that your current in-network care provider is also in-network under Premera. When the change from Aetna to Premera takes place on January 1, 2026 you should be all set.

If you have questions and/or need assistance, contact Sound Health at 800-225-7620, option 2.