MultiCare Tacoma Women’s Clinic and Urogynecology - Bargaining Update—Taking Action Together to Reject Wage Cuts

Our sticker action was a huge success on August 5!

We will make sure everyone has stickers for the next round on August 19.

In bargaining, management continues to take an anti-union position by proposing to cut the wages of some workers who were hired above scale as we bargain to accrete workers into the MultiCare Clinic contract. Their proposal to place workers on the wage scale based on years of experience is generally good, but we have made it clear that this would result in cuts for some workers, and we are pushing back.

Next Contract Action Meeting

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

6pm

Join Zoom Meeting >>

If you have questions or would like to get more involved, please contact Union Rep Ondrea Shallbetter at (206) 436-6525.

“Equality opens the door, equity makes sure everyone can walk through it.”

— Timeka Gist

Bargaining Team: Violet Barkley, Kristina Matushevskaya, Timeka Gist.

The Doctors Clinic - The Contract Is Ratified!

On August 10, members of The Doctors Clinic came together to review and vote on our new contract. We are excited to share that the contract vote resulted in an overwhelming yes vote and that the contract is now ratified!

Now comes the important work of getting the contract reviewed and signed, as well as enforcing our new collective bargaining agreement. While the fight for a fair contract is over for this cycle, we must now pick up the work of building power in our worksites so that we can continue to improve what happens day to day. This means holding management accountable, training more Stewards, and always looking ahead to the issues we continue to face and how we can resolve them.

What’s Next?

• Wage increases and retro pay should be reflected in paychecks beginning with the first full pay period after ratification.

• We will finalize the contract and get it ready for print.

• We will schedule labor-management meetings with the Employer to make sure that issues are addressed as they come up.

If you are interested in getting involved, reach out to our Union Rep, Ryan DeGouveia, and let him know that you would like to learn how you can get more involved.

Optum Care, Inc. — Everett Oncology Clinic - Bargaining Update—Time for Collective Action!

Optum Care, Inc. — Everett Oncology Clinic
Bargaining Update—Time for Collective Action!

At our ninth day of negotiations on August 11, our Union Bargaining Team met with Optum after nearly two months since our last session. We spent the day exchanging a few non-economic articles back & forth; primarily speaking to parental leaves of absence & agency/traveler (non-bargaining-unit) employees, and on a positive note, we ended the day with two new tentative agreements, respectively.

However, based on the Employer’s provided timeline of “late July/August,” we started our day optimistic that more comprehensive economic counterproposals would be returned to us. Their initial offering on June 10 essentially said they would continue to pay us according to current practice, provide wage increases according to current practice, and hire new workers within their pay ranges according to current practice—all at their sole discretion. The same sentiment was reflected in their health care benefits proposal: They would simply continue doing what they are already doing, with little to no say from our newly formed Union.

But these reasons are exactly why we organized our Union in the first place! Joining together to bargain for our rights and benefits as dedicated oncology workers is not necessarily a testament to the invalidity of Optum’s practices. Instead, it is about securing a voice at the bargaining table and investing in our workplace to make the Everett Oncology Clinic the best version of itself.

All that said, the Employer let us know first thing in the morning that we would not be receiving any additional economic proposals that day, attributing the delay to new internal review and approval processes. While it is worth noting that, in just eight sessions before this one, we made exceptional progress on the noneconomic sections of our new Collective Bargaining Agreement, we all felt that if management had shown up prepared with reasonable wage and benefits proposals, we might even have been able to reach a final deal.

We took the opportunity during our first joint session on August 11 to express this frustration to management. Frankly, we have grown tired of waiting. We determined that, in order to win a strong contract, we would have to show our collective strength and solidarity to Optum. We decided to launch a strike pledge to show Optum that we are ready to take action, if necessary.

Add Your Name to the Strike Pledge >> 
(Your name will be kept anonymous)

Furthermore, to discuss the plan our team put together to continue building collective power, all Optum Oncology workers are strongly encouraged to attend our weekly Contract Action Team meetings through September 2. Details are below.

Weekly Contract Action Team Meetings

• August 20
  7pm–8pm
  Join Zoom Meeting >>
  Meeting ID: 881 0325 6615

• August 27
  7pm–8pm
  Join Zoom Meeting >>
  Meeting ID: 881 0325 6615

• September 2
  7pm–8pm
  Join Zoom Meeting >>
  Meeting ID: 881 0325 6615

Sticker Up and Union Swag Day - August 26

Our Bargaining Team has newly designed stickers that we plan to distribute throughout the clinic.

Wear your new sticker, Union merchandise, and UFCW 3000 colors—blue and gold—on August 26 to show management that we are all in this together!

“I’m unpleasantly not surprised—but we’re all in, and it’s time to get moving!”

— Molly Hugo, RN

Bargaining Team: Janis Laffin, RN; Molly Hugo, RN; Ashley Seidelman, Patient Care Coordinator.

Spokane Zenith Weekend Work MOU Ratified

On August 7, 2026 members at Spokane Zenith voted to approve a Memorandum of Understanding that will now allow employees the opportunity to make up lost hours over the weekend at straight pay but still requires the employer to pay overtime rate of time and one-half when requiring employees to work the weekend.
 
If you have any question or concerns please reach out to your representative Mark Hansen, at 509-340-7406.

2026 Labor Day Celebrations

Since 1882, when New York City unionists marched down Broadway to demand recognition, working people have set aside a day in early September to celebrate the labor movement's achievements. 

Through organizing, solidarity, and no small amount of good trouble, we've won the eight-hour workday, the weekend, Social Security and unemployment insurance, laws to keep us all safe on the job, and, of course, a real voice in our workplaces. 

At UFCW 3000, we know we have more history to write and more fights to win for the benefit of all working people. But it's hard to move forward without recognizing and learning from past struggles. 

To that end, here is where to celebrate Labor Day across Washington State this year. 

Angle Lake, SeaTac, WA
Monday, September 7, 2026 from 11am to 1pm
Angle Lake Park; 19408 International Blvd., SeaTac
MLK CLC

Burlington, WA
Monday, September 7, 2026 at 12:00pm
Maiben Park 1011 Greenleaf Ave, Burlington, WA
NW WA CLC 

Lakewood, WA
Monday, September 7, 2026 from11:30am to 3pm
Fort Steilacoom Park, 8717 87th Ave SW, Lakewood, WA 98498

Kennewick, WA
Monday, September 7, 2026 from 11:30am to 3pm
Columbia Park Main Stage5111 E Columbia Dr, Kennewick, WA 99336
South East LCL 

Chehalis, WA
Monday, September 7, 2026 from10am to 2pm
The VR Lee Building, 221 SW 13th St. Chehalis, WA 98532
Thurston Mason

Kalama,WA
Monday, September 7, 2026 from 10:30am to 3:30pm
Haydu Park; 253 Kalama River Rd, Kalama, WA 98625
Southwest WA

Kaiser Labor Job Positions are open - Apply now!

KAISER WORKERS, Come work with your Union: Kaiser Permanente Labor Positions NOW OPEN for January 2027!

UFCW3000 and the Alliance of Healthcare Unions, in partnership with Kaiser Permanente, invite you to apply to one of two open positions:
Contract Specialist – one year term and Alliance Partnership Representative (APR) – three-year term.

Both positions offer great opportunity to learn new skills and spend time doing meaningful work that has a direct impact on Kaiser workplaces.

If selected, you will be released from your current role. In your new role, you will continue to receive the same pay, benefits and seniority accrual, returning to your position after your contractual term.

Applications due by September 15. Both positions start January 2027.

APR JOB DESCRIPTION: Download job description here >>
To Apply: please email resume with KPWA APR Position in the subject line to: cmacphail@ufcw3000.org, mhatton@ufcw3000.org, Julie.kwiek@ahcunions.org, becky.t.peterson@kp.org 

CONTRACT SPECIALIST JOB DESCIPTION: Download job description here >>
To apply: Please fill out CONTRACT SPECIALIST Application here >>

Retail Workers at Lumen Field and the Pro Shop at Renton Landing First and Goal (Football NW) Bargaining Update

We had another productive day at the bargaining table on July 31 and are pleased to share that we made our counterproposals to management. Throughout the session, we had strong back-and-forth conversations that were thoughtful, collaborative, and focused on finding solutions.

While we aren't at the end zone yet, we're feeling optimistic. The progress we made today gives us confidence that we're on the path to reaching a strong first contract—one that recognizes the value of our work and reflects the priorities that are most important to us.

Your solidarity and support will make the difference as we build this first contract. We'll keep pushing to secure a fair agreement that delivers the wages, protections, and respect workers deserve. We are stronger together, and we encourage workers to get involved and take ownership of their contract.

Interested in getting involved, learning more about your rights as Union members, and getting all the up-to-date information about negotiations?

Join us for our member meetings:

August 5 @ 7pm

Join Zoom Meeting >>

Contact your Union Rep, Allison:

206-436-6586

MultiCare Women's Clinic & Urogynecology - Stop the Union Busting—No Wage Cuts at MultiCare!

Management has proposed cutting the wages of some workers who were hired above scale when they are placed into our Union wage scale. While management has proposed placing all workers on the wage scale at a rate of pay that reflects their years of service—which is good—this proposal to cut the wages of some workers is not fair and comes across as Union busting.

We have been working hard to achieve wage placement that creates wage equity without wage cuts. Let’s stand united for wage placements that are fair to everyone.

We are also excited to announce that we are having a Union Visibility Day at MultiCare: August 5th, 2026

Our message is clear:

Stop Union Busting—No Wage Cuts at MultiCare!

For more information, talk to Bargaining Team Members or Union Organizer Ondrea Shallbetter at (360) 409-0337.

Bargaining Team: Kristina Matushevskaya, Timeka Gist, and Violet Barkley.

“No member left behind—because when one of us moves forward, we all move forward together.”

— Timeka Gist

CommonSpirit St. Joseph Medical Center Technical Unit - Bargaining Update — INFORMATIONAL PICKET ANNOUNCED!

At our seventh session this contract cycle, our Union Bargaining Team representing the Techs at St. Joseph Medical Center found ourselves almost exactly where we were in our fifth and sixth sessions. After nearly two hours spent waiting on management’s counterproposals, we were again presented with a myriad of rejections, “held” articles—meaning their position had not changed since their previous iteration, which was often the iteration before that or simply existing contract language—and a quarter-of-one-percent (.25%) wage increase since their last proposal, totaling 2.50% in each year.

The Employer did, however, present new language in Article 9.4 regarding current contract language related to how experience credit granted to new hires for placement on the wage scale would trigger a “leapfrog” for current workers. When our team asked about the intent of the Employer’s addition to the Article, it seemed that both teams left with more questions than answers.

Beyond the aggravation caused by the Employer’s responses, we were also made aware of several more situations in which St. Joseph Medical Center management pulled bargaining unit members aside and questioned them about their Union activity and the potential for a serious labor dispute. We made it clear to the Employer at the bargaining table that this conduct is unacceptable, and we demanded that they put a stop to it.

We want to make it clear to all of our coworkers: your boss should not be questioning you about participation in our Union. If you or a coworker have been spoken to about anything related to ongoing negotiations or participation in Union activity, you are strongly encouraged to document the incident and call our Union Rep, Charlie King, at (206) 436-6518.

Our next bargaining date with the Employer is scheduled for August 12. We hope CommonSpirit uses the time between sessions to refocus its priorities on working with us toward a fair contract.

As we said in our previous update: nothing will change unless we take action together. Let’s show St. Joe’s management how unified we are.

Informational Picket

Wed, Aug 19, 2026
2pm - 4pm
St. Joseph Medical Center
1717 S J St
Tacoma, WA 98405

RSVP Now for Our Informational Picket >>

Contract Action Team Meeting

Tues, Aug 4
5:30pm - 6:30pm

Join Zoom Meeting >>
Meeting ID: 811 1026 4685
Passcode: 952476

Workers throughout the hospital have already signed the strike pledge card. If you have not yet, you can sign it by following the link below.

Sign the Strike Pledge >>

“Not sure what to say if I shouldn’t use profanity … this all just feels incredibly unserious.”

— Vanessa Giles, Certified Surgical Technologist

Bargaining Team: Michelle Gilmore, Respiratory Therapist; Monica Dewitt, Pharmacy Tech; Sissy Allison, Surgical Technologist; Chad Michels, Cardiovascular Technologist; Leslie Ball, Surgical Technologist; Vanessa Giles, Surgical Technologist.

They Think You're Worth a Nickel

our Union Bargaining Team: Preston McInnis, Macy’s Southcenter; Ismahan Osman, Macy’s Southcenter; Curtice Bryant, Macy’s Southcenter; Samantha Wilson, Macy’s Bellingham; Jill Jackson, Macy’s Furniture Gallery Southcenter; Emily Hunter, Macy’s Alderwood; Daniel Landon, Macy’s Alderwood

Over two days of bargaining, Macy's executives increased their wage offer by a single, solitary nickel.

And to be clear, they're not offering one nickel more per year. They're offering one nickel more over the entire three years of the next union contract.

Just 👏🏻one👏🏻NICKEL! 🤬

Though the executives showed some progress when they withdrew a proposal to assign Flex Associates mandatory hours, they're still proposing the following takeaways:

• Eliminating the wage scale for new hires that helps members get established in the first two years of the contract before receiving our General Wage Increases in their third year;

• Seizing the ability to change our health care plan at any time during the contract;

• Nix our perfect attendance PTO reward;

“Macy’s gave us a nickel and then expected us to give them everything.” -Prestin McInnis

A nickel is unacceptable in a country where grocery prices are up 33% (since 2019), gas prices are up double digits, and we're all struggling to make ends meet.

The time has come to show Macy’s what we are worth by taking action!

Time to Bust Out the Staple Guns

Join us for an informational picket-making party Thursday, Aug 6:

• UFCW 3000 Union Hall 23040 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines, WA 98198, 10 am

• Talk to your rep or bargaining team member

Then join us for the info pickets at Southcenter, Alderwood, and Bellingham Macy’s on Tuesday, August 11 at 2pm.

Let's come together to educate our communities about our fight for better wages and better stores -- and show Macy’s execs that we won’t settle for anything less than a fair contract!

PRMCE RN - Positive Movement

Bargaining Team: Kristen Crowder, Kimball Conlon, Carrie Rimel, Stephanie Sausman, Tulena Lammers, Terry Pierce, Scott Ryan, and Juan Stout.

“Our team had many small wins while working toward our end goals: staffing and retention for nurses and patients in our community. We had many productive conversations to share perspectives on high-priority issues. Let’s keep up the pressure and support the Bargaining Team.”

This week, our team bargained on two back-to-back dates, July 27–28. We had highly productive sessions and made significant progress on language wins while narrowing proposals.

We continued deep discussions on staffing language, low census, meal and rest breaks, competitive wages, and licensure and education benefits. We met with Providence to discuss barriers to accessing our education benefits and how the process can be improved so more nurses can access their benefits. We reached a tentative agreement on language that assures leave and reimbursement requests will not be unreasonably denied and that nurses will be reimbursed up to the contractual benefit regardless of budgetary constraints. We also discussed ways to educate nurses and leadership about the application and approval process.

There were lengthy discussions regarding missed meal and rest breaks and how to best assure that nurses are actually receiving breaks. Providence believes that all nurses are reporting their received breaks accurately and believes that the two units with the highest percentage of missed breaks are the Emergency Department and Labor and Delivery. We are working to find solutions, but we need all nurses to report missed breaks to support our Bargaining Team’s efforts at the table.

We return to the bargaining table on August 31 and September 1.

Contract Action Team Meetings

• Tues, Aug 4, and Tues, Aug 18

• 8pm

Our team will share highlights and tentative agreements reached in our updates. Join us for the Contract Action Team meetings to dig into the details.

Note: Our team is being transparent about proposals throughout the bargaining process, and the final recommended agreement may not include these items.

Priorities We Highlighted This Week

• Competitive wages for recruitment and retention

• Improvements to staffing and Staffing Committee language

• Emergent Needs Coverage Pay

• Break relief solutions

• Improvements to the assignment of low census, including clarification and mitigation for excessive low census

• Low Census Standby will be offered to nurses placed on low census

• Improvements to Charge premium

• Pension plan in addition to the current 401k retirement plan

New Tentative Agreements Reached

• Definition of Christmas Eve nights and weekends for night-shift nurses

• Adding floats to Skills Departments and Units, Exhibit B

• Weekend premium moving from $4.00 to $4.20 on April 30, 2027

• Study prep time allowed outside of scheduled work time

• Immigration and ICE Enforcement MOU

• Nurse education and licensure

All updates can be found on our website! >>

Take Action

• Continue to wear your Yellow and Blue Union colors.

• We have the right to wear our Union bandanas, swag, and colors—let’s get creative and have fun with it.

• File with L&I for missed meal breaks: Healthcare Workers Complaint >>

Questions, or want to find out how you can get involved? Contact a member of the Bargaining Team or Union Rep Anthony Cantu at 206-436-6566.

St. Michael Medical Center Service and Dietary - We Proposed Historic Health Care Improvements

Bargaining Team: Susan Mayer, Cook; Pamela Reese, EVS.

On July 21, our Union Bargaining Team met with the Employer and received its response to our latest economic proposal. While the Employer’s offer was disappointing, the session still resulted in meaningful progress.

After reviewing the Employer’s proposal, our team returned to work and finalized a major health care proposal that we have been developing behind the scenes for weeks. If accepted by the Employer, this proposal would significantly reduce what workers pay for health insurance while also substantially lowering deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs.

The proposal would provide Service and Dietary workers with the same health insurance plan currently available to the Pro-Tech unit, the Sound Health & Wellness Trust, creating long-overdue parity between the two bargaining units.

The comparison below shows the potential savings under the proposed Sound Health & Wellness Trust.

Healthcare Cost Comparison		Biweekly Employee Premiums (each paycheck)				Deductible		Out-of-Pocket Maximums
		Employee Only	Employee + Child(ren)	Employee + Spouse	Family Plan	Individual	Family	Individual	Family
Sound Health & Wellness Trust	Kaiser HMO	$18.00	$26.00	$38.00	$46.00	$750	$1,500	$2,750	$5,500
	Premera PPO	$22.00	$34.00	$46.00	$50.00	$750	$1,500	$2,750	$5,500
Employer's Current Medical Plan Options	Integrated Core	$68.02	$192.26	$161.32	$277.59	$1,500	$3,000	$6,000	$12,000
	Integrated Basic	$20.00	$139.39	$114.84	$196.77	$2,500	$5,000	$6,600	$13,200
	Integrated HDHP	$0.00	$85.53	$72.40	$126.62	$3,400	$6,800	$6,450	$12,900
Sound Health & Wellness Trust premiums include medical, dental, and vision coverage and are the same for all eligible workers, regardless of hours worked. The Employer rates shown are full-time medical premiums only; dental and vision coverage cost extra. Part-time employees pay higher premiums under the Employer’s plans than the rates listed above.

Sound Health & Wellness Trust premiums include medical, dental, and vision coverage and are the same for all eligible workers, regardless of hours worked. The Employer rates shown are full-time medical premiums only; dental and vision coverage cost extra. Part-time employees pay higher premiums under the Employer’s plans than the rates listed above.

Furthermore, the Sound Health & Wellness Trust only requires 60 hours in a month to qualify for employee-only coverage or 80 hours in a month to qualify for dependent coverage. The plan costs the same for all workers, regardless of whether they are full-time or part-time.

Combined with market-based wage increases and improvements to shift, weekend, and other premiums, these health care changes would go a long way toward addressing the hospital’s ongoing recruitment and retention problems.

We left the meeting encouraged by management’s initial response to the proposal. While the Employer has not yet agreed to these changes, management expressed a willingness to continue the conversation. Our Bargaining Team is excited to keep pushing toward what could be a truly historic improvement for workers covered by this contract.

Next Bargaining Session

August 5

We look forward to receiving the Employer’s response to our proposed health care changes.

“I feel that this day is going to go down in history.”

— Susan Mayer

Broadcast Coffee - Progress in Our Second Bargaining Session

Broadcast Coffee
Progress in Our Second Bargaining Session

On July 27, we held our second bargaining session with the Employer. We’re pleased to share that management arrived with its first counterproposal to our initial proposals. After a long and productive caucus, we made substantial progress toward our first tentative agreements.

We’re optimistic and excited to continue collaborating toward a contract that benefits both our members and Broadcast. We concluded Day 2 with clear next steps for the proposals on the table.

Our next date for bargaining is Thursday, August 13, and the details for our next member meeting will be finalized shortly. We’re proud of our preparation and look forward to more positive dialogue.