A lot has happened over the past week. We met with the employer on December 7 and 8 to continue our fight for a first contract, which includes higher wages, more affordable healthcare, clear and fair treatment, seniority rights, a voice on the job, and more. On December 8, we were notified of a decertification petition filed in an attempt to eliminate our union, which we have worked hard to form. Then, the following Monday, December 11, we were informed of a potential sale of Isoray to GT Medical, which would be the second sale of Isoray within a year.

Our union bargaining committee is committed to continuing to fight for a contract that betters our lives and sets a minimum on what the employer must provide us. Even if a new company purchases Isoray, we want to make sure we have a voice on the job and in the process while the company changes ownership. Workers deserve to have a say in their future and a say over their working conditions and compensation, and that is exactly what a union helps to do.

On December 7 and 8, our Union Bargaining Committee came prepared to work together to find solutions to the concerns the company previously brought up regarding healthcare eligibility waiting periods in the union healthcare plan. Unfortunately, when we presented our proposal that addressed the waiting periods, Isoray rejected it, claiming that the company was not profitable and didn’t want to take on the additional expense.

We also presented a counterproposal on wages that included 10% increases between steps in certain job classifications, and set wages for years 2 and 3, with the potential for higher increases based on performance.

Now more than ever, it’s important to stand together through this process to ensure we keep our voice at the table.

Join our upcoming Zoom meeting on Monday, December 18, where we will discuss our most recent bargaining proposals, what happens if the company is sold, and the impacts of a decertification petition. Feel free to drop in any time between 5:30-7:30 pm.

Contact your Bargaining Committee or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will be also emailed out.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Bargaining Committee members or your Union Representative, Juanita Quezada, at 360-409-0557. Thank you for your continued support during this crucial time. Together, we will continue to fight for better wages, quality and affordable healthcare benefits, and improved working conditions.

Bargaining Committee: Ethan Black, Fernando Gonzalez Perez