Lourdes Clinics and Urgent Care Health RNs - Tentative Agreement Reached on a First Contract

Lourdes Clinics and Urgent Care Service and Technical

VOTE SCHEDULED
November 25, 2024
12:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Lourdes West Pasco Conference Room
7425 Wrigley Drive, Pasco, WA.

The Bargaining Team is recommending a YES vote.

Our bargaining team is encouraging all employees covered by this agreement to join them on November 25, 2024 any time between 12:00 AM and 7:00 PM in the Lourdes West Pasco Conference Room at 7425 Wrigley Drive, Pasco, WA. This is a great time to learn about the new contract, ask questions and vote. The new contract guarantees 2 wage increases each year of the contract, a competitive wage scale, additional paid time off, job security, grievance process, continuing education reimbursement, union security and much more.

We are excited, hopeful and confident the first contract will lay a strong foundation for an even stronger future. We believe equality and fairness has been achieved in this three-year contract. We now have a voice and a seat at the table to discuss wages, benefits and working conditions. WE CAN ONLY GO UP FROM HERE. Ask your bargaining team how to get involved.

Please reach out to your bargaining team or Union Representative Juanita Quezada at (509) 340-7407 with any questions or concerns.

Our Bargaining Team: Jennifer Medrano MA, Jose Munoz Lazo MA, Kaylene Kuhn, Radiological Technologist, Amy Brown LPN, Sandra Pineda MA.

“We came together as a group, asking for fairness and security. After many months of hard work, we have achieved it! The more unified we are, the stronger we become.” 

— Kaylene Kuhn

“Unity is strength...when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved”

— Jose Munoz Lazo

“I love my Lourdes team, and no matter what position or role you play in this company, we are ALL VITAL employees. Looking forward to a better future for all with a YES vote on this initial (first) contract.”

 — Amy Brown 

Lourdes Clinics and Urgent Care Health RNs

VOTE SCHEDULED
November 25, 2024
7:30 AM and 10:00 AM
Lourdes West Pasco Conference Room
7425 Wrigley Drive, Pasco, WA

The Bargaining Team is recommending a YES vote.

Our bargaining team is encouraging all Nurses to join them on November 25, 2024 any time between 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM in the Lourdes West Pasco Conference Room at 7425 Wrigley Drive, Pasco, WA. This is a great time to learn about the new contract, ask questions and vote. The new contract guarantees 2 wage increases each year of the contract, a competitive wage scale, additional paid time off, job security, grievance process, continuing education reimbursement, union security and much more.

We are excited, hopeful and confident the first contract will lay a strong foundation for an even stronger future. We believe equality and fairness has been achieved in this three-year contract. We now have a voice and a seat at the table to discuss wages, benefits and working conditions. WE CAN ONLY GO UP FROM HERE. Ask your bargaining team how to get involved.

Please reach out to your bargaining team or Union Representative Juanita Quezada at (509) 340-7407 with any questions or concerns.

Our Bargaining Team: Kimberly Edwards, RN and Leilany Garcia, RN

Summit Pacific Medical Center - Bargaining Update

Our Bargaining Team is working hard to make sure that everyone has competitive wages and a fair and equitable place to work!

We have provided Summit with wage charts from many other area hospitals and clinics. We have discussed the cost of living and how competitive pay is for jobs in the area. Management has said they are listening and understand how recruitment and retention works. Our last bargaining session, management came to bargaining and told us why competitive wages are important to Summit's success.

WE AGREE! It's what we have been saying all along.

We all need to make enough money to pay bills and support our families.

Summit will be expanding soon and we know this means better service to our community. Management needs to understand that we are part of this community and we need to be paid fair wages.

OK Summit Management, it's time to put money in people's pockets.

Our next bargaining session is Friday, November 8.We hope that management will be ready for us.

Bargaining Team:Kimberly Starkweather, Allison Felder, Monica Ortiz, Barb Ford, Judea Prouty, Kurt Phillips.

To update your contact information:

Update Your Information >>

Mason Health - Bargaining Update

Our bargaining team is working hard for a fair and equitable contract and competitive wages.We have tentative agreements on many things, including:

• Updated Earned Time/Vacation/PSL language to make it compliant with the law.

• Staffing language that allows for an interactive process to discuss staffing issues.

• Department seniority lists for easier access to information.

• Updates to Jury and Witness Duty language.

• Updated Certification language improving the process.

We are still bargaining over wages and premiums and have spent a lot of time with management reviewing and discussing local area hospital wages and the importance of staying competitive.

They seem to understand this but have continuously said they don't want to be higher than everyone else (they want to be somewhere in the middle).

Our work needs to be valued and we need to be paid competitive wages.

Bargaining Team: Kris Woods, Brenda Routson, Jennifer Madera, Jessica Turner

Not getting updates? Update your contact information:

Update Your Information >>

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center Techs call to action!

CALL TO ACTION!  

We finally got Back to the table on May 9, which is nearly a month after our last session and nine days after our return to work from our successful Stike. Unfortunately, today during negotiations no ground was gained. We return to contract negotiations on May 28 and May 29. 

“Providence made it clear that they have never perceived themselves to be ahead or a leader in the local market, nor do they want to be.  Our bargaining team’s determination is unyielding in the face of corporate greed.” – Providence Sacred Heart Technical Unit Bargaining Team: Derek Roybal, Janelle Mathias, Craig Kistler, Lee Lidman, Joe Sikkila, Shane Sullivan, Miriam Critelli, Teresa Bowden, Angela Holmes, Holly Granly. 

Today we call on every one of our coworkers who found themselves moved by our unity and collective power, to join us in stepping up and volunteering to be a union steward in your dept and shift.  

Over the next couple of weeks we will be expanding our workplace leaders throughout the hospital and invite you to join us for Union Steward training virtually or in-person. NOW is the time to show that we are continuing to organize for retention, recruitment, and patient care for our community.  

UNION STEWARD TRAINING

Please rsvp to Jackie Williams at jwilliams@ufcw3000.org.  

May 15 at 6PM

In Person at the UFCW 3000 Spokane Office: 2805 N Market St., Spokane, WA 99205 

Monday May 20 at 6PM

Join Zoom Meeting  
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87131881290?pwd=UDNZMUp4VytGNVFxMFQxZVNkdlRkZz09  

Meeting ID: 871 3188 1290  
Passcode: 893823  

Thursday May 23 at 6PM

Join Zoom Meeting  
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83378239210?pwd=QWM1MkpsM1dZZzNrSUpKQVV2Tmhjdz09  

Meeting ID: 833 7823 9210  
Passcode: 540340  

Thank you with deepest gratitude to all of the community members, co-workers and patients who supported us during the strike. We plan to send out complete list with our next updates  

Providence Sacred Heart Techs Join us to end the strike strong!

Join us to end the Strike strong

Our Unfair Labor Practice strike will end today April 30 at 8:30 pm. Join us anytime for the rest of the day to end the strike strong! Particularly, the last few hours we’d like as many members and their families to walk in solidarity on the lines and cheer on our coworkers on as they return to work.

Below are answers that we received from Providence regarding return to work, and should match the same information you will be receiving from the Hospital. If you have any questions, please ask Union staff on the strike line today or call Union Representative Juanita Quezada, 509-340-7407.

When do we return to work?

Providence Direct Leaders started reaching out to members yesterday and today regarding return to work.  If you are scheduled to work today (Tuesday) and would otherwise be on shift at 8:30 pm, you should plan to work the remainder of your scheduled shift following the end of the strike. You will be paid for work time starting at 8:30 pm.
Examples: If you are scheduled to work at 7:30 pm, you should report to work at 8:30 pm. If your scheduled shift ends at 9:00 pm, you should report to work at 8:30 pm to work the last part of the shift. Any questions, please reach out to your direct leader at Providence.

What about badges, parking, and entering the building?

All badges will be reactivated shortly before the end of the strike. Please let your direct leader know if your badge is not reactivated. The employee garage doors will be open and accessible to everyone. When you arrive, please only enter through the L3 entrance. Members will be asked to wait in the Mother Joseph Room until units are ready. Light treats and beverages will be available.

When will our bargaining team return to negotiations?

The Union has requested bargaining dates from Providence and they have committed to responding to us after the strike ends. We will continue to provide updates on next steps and future bargaining dates.

When will we receive our strike pay benefits?

The Union will be calculating hours on the strike line this week and strike benefit checks will be sent via regular mail to the address listed on your W9 the week of May 6. Updates will be sent out via email and text. Stay tuned!

Providence Sacred Heart Techs Weekend Plans on the Strike Line!

Join us on Saturday for FEED THE LINE

We will have the Blue Apron Brigade (The Babs) delivering food and support we received from the Community in the area at various times in the day. Who are the Babs you may ask? Well come to the Strike line on Saturday and you won’t miss them.They’re the fun people wearing Blue aprons with FOOD!

• Breakfast will be delivered to the strike lines around 7:00am and is from Panera Bread.

• Lunch will be near the Check-In tent around 12pm and it is TECH-SASS STYLE BBQ from Fresh Soul. We will have folks relieve people from each strike line in groups so that you can grab lunch at the tent.

• Dinner will be delivered to each strike line around 3:00pm and will be from Las Delicias de Isla.

• Dinner will be delivered to each strike line around 5:30pm and is from Ricuras Caribeñas.

• Some Community members may be dropping by with goodies throughout the day as well!

"Why is Providence afraid to face us?”

—Join us on Sunday for Family day of Sweet Treats and Face painting! A face painter will be at the Check-In Tent from 11am to 4pm. Bring the children!

Providence Sacred Heart Techs ULP Strike Day 2 update

Amazing turnout of workers and community the first two days of the strike! We will be sending out short updates throughout the strike- today is an important update regarding your strike benefits and an invitation to join the Rally tomorrow night 4/24 at 7pm in Cowley Park.

Please help pass the word to friends and family- and wear your best western themed clothing for a Sunset showdown Rally in support of the Technical workers. We’ll be joined by community and legislative speakers… we hope to see you there!

WHAT IS MY STRIKE BENEFIT?    

Our Union Executive Board has approved strike fund benefits for represented workers of: 

• $500/week for picketing a minimum of 20 hours a week, 

• $800/week for picketing a minimum of 32 hours or more a week, 

• $200/week “Respect the Line Benefit” for those who cannot join their colleagues on the strike line but respect the strike line and do not cross. *Respect the Line Benefit only available on full week.  

  Since this is an 8.5 day strike, there are an extra two days that represented workers are eligible for strike benefits: 

• Week 1: Monday April 22 – Sunday April 28: Receive benefit above based on hours on the strike line 

• Week 2: Monday April 29 – Tuesday April 30: Strike Benefit will be pro-rated: 

• $200 for picketing 8-12 hr

• $320 for picketing more than 12 hr

Our health care workers are standing up for fair treatment and safe patient care at Sacred Heart.

Come by at 7 PM to meet striking workers and prepare for a sunset solidarity rally, with voices from the hospital and our community. Let’s show Sacred Heart workers that this community has their back!

Our health care workers are standing up for fair treatment and safe patient care at Sacred Heart. https://www.mobilize.us/ufcw3000/event/620522/
 

Providence Sacred Heart Tech ULP Strike Notice Delivered: We Stand United

ULP Strike Notice Delivered at Sacred Heart: We Stand United 

After months of bargaining with Providence Sacred Heart in Spokane, Sacred Heart Medical Center technical workers voted overwhelmingly to REJECT Providence’s most recent contract offer and YES to authorize an unfair labor practice strike, with unprecedented voter turnout. 

“A supermajority of UFCW 3000 members showed up to vote. As an extension of our voices, we used our votes to reject the present contract offered by Providence and to authorize a strike, signaling it is time for Providence to hear us and find solutions to combat short staffing and retain experienced staff. We are a part of this community, and we will continue to fight to keep our community safe and healthy.” – Providence Sacred Heart Technical Unit Bargaining Team: Derek Roybal, Janelle Mathias, Craig Kistler, Lee Lidman, Joe Sikkila, Shane Sullivan, Miriam Critelli, Teresa Bowden, Angela Holmes, Holly Granly.

Today we delivered to a 10-day strike notice to Providence. Our union bargaining team has called for an Unfair Labor Practice Strike starting at 2:00pm on April 22 and lasting until April 30, with picketing outside the hospital every day between the hours of 5:30am - 8:30pm.

WE STRIKE BECAUSE:

We deserve better. Providence’s behavior at the bargaining table has shown us consistent disrespect. That disrespect of our rights and our bargaining process has extended to management committing unfair labor practices. Providence management implemented a change in working conditions, imposing schedule changes outside the bounds of our contract even as our union objected. They engaged in blatant direct dealing with union members outside of negotiations, skirting the bargaining process by attempting to coerce members into approving terms we had not agreed to. At the final hour they punitively revoked our access to the hospital for our contract vote the day before the vote. From the beginning, we had to fight just to keep our existing medical and dental guarantees on the table, which we only saved through relentless action and solidarity. Management’s insistence that we compare our compensation with a nearby hospital vanished when those workers negotiated significant improvements. Now Providence seems perfectly comfortable making many of us the lowest-paid workers in our field in our region, all while committing unfair labor practices throughout our negotiations. They even made the decision to take away snacks and drinks from employees utilizing the OR break room.

Our patients deserve better. Chronic short-staffing and perpetual on-call is running us ragged. Sacred Heart Medical Center is the only hospital of its kind in the region, yet instead of recognizing the unique specialty, skills, and services we provide, hospital leadership seems convinced they don’t have to invest in staff. We are a lifeline for the sickest patients in the Inland Northwest, and without a better contract we will continue to lose the technical staff required to offer the highest level of care. Our patients deserve the best care team possible, and we can’t achieve that if technical staff can work down the street for better pay, fairer treatment, a higher level of respect, and less demanding work. 

Our community is counting on us. If we allow Providence management to degrade the standards in our contract, to ignore our hard work and sacrifices, to set the bar as low as possible for how skilled technical workers are treated, we know it will have devastating impacts on our ability to retain our experienced staff and recruit new highly qualified technical staff. As our region’s only level II trauma center for adult and pediatric patients, Providence should be the regional leader in recruiting and retaining skilled staff. 

We stand united. Our unit has shown up to these votes in lockstep, with unprecedented turnout and unanimous or near-unanimous votes rejecting Providence’s offers and authorizing this unfair labor practice strike. We have come this far together. Walking a strike line is a last resort, and we don’t take it lightly, but we are ready to stand up for our patients, our community, and each other. Unfair labor practices are unacceptable, and the disrespect we’re facing at the bargaining table negatively impacts patient care. We have the support of 50,000 fellow UFCW 3000 members and our union’s community allies across Spokane.

We are inspired by our fellow Providence workers, including the 1,300+ nurses at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett who went on strike in 2023 and demanded better for their patients and staff. Following their lead, we call on all Providence workers to keep organizing together in solidarity, in this contract fight and in your upcoming contract negotiations. Each time that we stand up to Providence’s corporate greed, we lay a foundation to envision what a more powerful voice could look like for workers and patients in our health care system and specifically within Providence Health & Services.

PROVIDENCE SACRED HEART STRIKE – TAKE ACTION: 

It’s time to send Providence a clear message that they need to do better, we expect better, and our patients deserve better. Join us in actions over the coming days and on the strike line starting on April 22 to ask Providence to be the leader our community and patients need. 

BEFORE WE STRIKE: 

• Fill out your W9 to receive ULP strike benefits >> 
  All represented workers who picket over 20 hours a week will receive $500, or $800 if you picket for over 32 hours. If you are unable to join the picket but respect the strike line and stay home, you can receive $200 Respect the Line pay.

• Sign up for your strike shifts! >>

• Share the Community Pledge to support the ULP strike with your friends, family and community >>

CALENDAR: Join actions next week to help prepare for a successful strike! 

Monday 4/15 @ 7pm: Media and Social Media Training via Zoom 
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82384326981?pwd=SnpRTW5Ub1AzeS9OeGlPK2twaExQZz09  

Tuesday 4/16 @ 6pm: Picket Sign-Making Party
@ UFCW 3000 Office: 2805 N Market St, Spokane, WA 99207. Come make a sign and also pick up community support signs to share with local businesses.  

Wednesday 4/17 @ 11am: Press Conference
@ UFCW 3000 Office: 2805 N Market St, Spokane, WA 99207. Invite family and friends to join us! 

Wednesday 4/17 @ 7pm: Telephone Town Hall call with Providence workers statewide 
Providence Sacred Heart workers will receive a call at the phone number on file with the union inviting you to join this call at 7 pm. If you miss the call or do not receive a call, you can join the meeting anytime by calling (888) 652-0386 and entering Meeting ID 7911  

Friday 4/19 @ 6pm: Strike Captain Meeting
@ UFCW 3000 Office: 2805 N Market St, Spokane, WA 99207. Are you interested in helping to be a leader on the line? Come join us for training on roles, how to lead, and what to expect.

Monday 4/22 @ 2pm: UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE STRIKE BEGINS
Picketing at the hospital will occur daily from 5:30am – 8:30pm through 4/30. 

*Additional communications will be sent out answering frequently asked questions, as we prepare logistically for the Strike. Stay up to date at www.ufcw3000.org/strike. 

Providence Sacred Heart PROV MISSED THE MARK AGAIN Contract and Strike Reauthorization vote

After months of bargaining with Providence to secure a new contract that reflects the respect we deserve and the care our patients need, we were met with another disappointing proposal from the Hospital. A Proposal that Providence said was them putting their best offer forward. A proposal that would make many of us the lowest paid workers in our field in the region. A Proposal that doesn't adequately address safe staffing by improving our retention and recruitment of healthcare workers.

We are the lifeline for Spokane and the greater Inland Northwest community. Providence Sacred Heart is the only trauma 2 and pediatric hospital in Washington State and has the only stroke thrombectomy center, nuerointerventional center, adult congenital heart program, and transplant center in the Inland Northwest.

Providence should be the leader in recruitment and retention in Spokane and should recognize the unique specialty, skills, and services we provide to the community.

From the very first moment of bargaining, Providence has been laser focused on deteriorating standards in our contract by attempting to bully our unit to give up our Union Healthcare benefits and committing multiple potential Unfair Labor Practices along the way. We stood together and were successfully able to protect our Dental benefits through the life of the agreement and we are standing  together and fighting  back against Providence breaking labor law.  

Next, the Hospital came to the table with a song and dance about how they wanted to address specific areas in our contract that were behind market, to maintain Sacred Heart Medical Center as the leader in the Spokane area, while at the same time attempting to pin our wages to the lowest comparable in the area. After the same neighboring hospital settled their contact with significant gains, Providence came back to the table arguing that we shouldn’t look at that comparison. It’s clear to us that Providence is prepared to make whatever argument, flip flopping all the way, just to pay us less. We find that unacceptable.

Many of us have worked through the pandemic, worked short staffed for months or years, taken endless hours of call, sacrificing our time, energy, bodies, and our families to care for our patients and community all while making Providence profitable. Our wages and standards have fallen behind others, and we still did our job. Providence’s last proposal does not recognize us for our hard work, skills, and commitment to our community and to Providence.

We still have work to do. Its time to send Providence a clear message that they need to do better, we expect better, and our patients deserve better. Join us at the Contract vote this Thursday to reject Providence’s latest offer and re-authorize a strike.

CONTRACT VOTE AND STRIKE RE-AUTHORIZATION VOTE

Thursday, April 11 from 7am to 8pm
@ Hampton Inn & Suites- Spokane Downtown South, 675 S Mcclellan Street. Spokane, WA 99204 in the Rockwood Retreat Room 3

Please help pass the word- the Vote will be held at a NEW location- the Hampton Inn Downtown Spokane, right across from the Hospital.

Our union Bargaining Team is recommending a NO vote on the contract proposal and a YES vote to re-authorize a strike. Any time there are significant changes to the proposal we must re-vote. All members in good standing are encouraged to vote. To receive the union strike pay benefit, you must complete a W9 form before we go on strike >>

“Our team showed up today and worked very hard to come up with competitive comprehensive proposals that involved very creative movement and was met with a lack of creative ideas from the employer. I continue to feel that my career choice is very unappreciated by this employer. I cannot in good conscience recommend a yes vote on the employers’ latest proposal.” – Angela Holmes Surgical Tech

“Providence needs to do the right thing chose to show that they care about the health of the community and surrounding areas and take action to recruit and retain the talented and experience caregivers that have made us the leaders in acute care. Profits and shareholders should never be given priority over patients and employees.” – Derek Roybal

“My perception is that Management had no intention of moving towards a fair contract that would help with retention and recruitment of highly qualified staff to care for our community. Join us in voting NO on the contract and Yes on strike Authorization on Thursday. Providence needs to Do better and Providence need to BE better.” – Joe Sikkila

Providence Sacred Heart Being united gets results, but the fight isn’t over.

If our Bargaining Team is unable to reach a fully recommended offer at our next session on April 8  —then our union Bargaining Team is recommending a NO vote on the contract proposal and a YES vote to re-authorize a strike. 

When we fight we win! Management heard us because of our unanimous strike authorization vote. With the strength and support of our co-workers behind us, we were able to lock in significant movement at the table:  

We beat back management’s attempts to gut our dental plan. 

• Proposals were exchanged that would ensure NO changes to our contractual dental plan over the course of the contract and included language that would ensure we keep our Dental plan in place long term, as long as it remains the standard for the Service & Maintenance unit at the hospital.  

We also locked in new Tentative Agreements on:  

• Recognition of past experience for New Hires 

• Increase Shift Differentials 

• Increased Standby pay 

•  Preceptor Premium 

• Adding MLK Day as a holiday 

• Clarity of sick leave usage 

• Removal of Ghost Step for step 23 and Step 11 

• Improved Grievance process 

• Staffing LOU  

• Tuition reimbursement increase 

While these are promising improvements they are not enough until we win significant improvements on wage proposals. 

Caregivers deserve respect from Management, Sacred Heart is the only level 2 trauma hospital in the area and is a vital resource for our community for miles around. Other hospitals send us their most complicated and desperate patients to get the care they need. 

Throughout the negotiation process Management has tried to circumvent good faith bargaining by unanimously implementing procedures around mealtimes and breaks, imposing a wage path without negotiating, frustrating the process by failing to provide essential information to our union bargaining team, and other unfair labor practices.  

Contract vote scheduled: Thursday, April 11 from 7am to 8pm in the Leahy Room (next to the cafeteria). 

If we are unable to reach a fully recommended offer at our next session scheduled for April 8 our union Bargaining Team is recommending a NO vote on the contract proposal and a YES vote to re-authorize a strike. Any time there are significant changes to the proposal we must re-vote. All members in good standing are encouraged to vote. To receive the union strike pay benefit, you must complete a W9 form before we go on strike >>

“We need to show Management that the progress we made isn’t enough with a strong NO Vote. We hope we can reach a tentative agreement, but we are united and ready for a ULP strike if we must. Over the next week we will be signing up for strike shifts and picket captain trainings. We are not afraid to do what we must to win,” - Craig Kistler 

“We need to recruit and retain talented caregivers so that we can provide the quality healthcare this community expects from a Trauma level 2 Hospital. Spokane has become one of the most expensive places to live in Eastern Washington, we need wages that stay competitive with other area healthcare centers and acknowledge the unique and important role that Sacred Heart plays in caring for communities for miles around.” - Teresa Bowden

Next steps:

1. Addend the contract vote/strike re-authorization vote on Thursday, April 11 from 7am to 8pm in the Leahy Room (next to the cafeteria.

1.  Strike shift sign-ups will be available next week 

1. To receive strike pay you must complete and return a W-9 >> 

Lourdes Medical Center Techs New Three Year Contract Ratified at 100%

Left to right: Melinda McBee, Pharmacy Tech “Stay Positive, Work Hard, Make a Difference”; David Coomes, Surgical Tech “Get involved become part of the solution”; Shahna Airoldi Ultrasound Tech “Get educated on your contract. It is power”; Robert Roy Respiratory Therapist “I have learned a lot through this process and am eager and willing to learn MORE”, Juanita Quezada, Union Representative;Monica Cacioppo, Pharmacy Tech “It is the U and I in Union that makes us STRONG”; Francisco Ramon-Montoya, Rehab “You will never win if you never begin”; Jorge Rodriquez, Surgical Tech not pictured

This contract Includes:

• Secure across the bargaining unit wage increase for all members each year of the contract and retro back to January 1, 2023

• Improvements throughout the scale wages.

• Increase PTO hours max accrual bank.

• Improvement to rest between shift language

• Improvements to premium pays

• Provides process to increase wages mid-contract

• New membership language that will build power within the medical center.

• New step increase practice to improve the process of getting increases.

On Tuesday January 31, 2023 represented employees at Lourdes Medical Center showed up in Super Majority numbers to sign up to become UFCW 3000 members and vote on our new contract. Our Bargaining Team would like to thank everyone that showed up to vote and remind everyone to check your paychecks frequently. Remember: now the hard work of enforcing the contract begins.

If you have questions, please reach out to our Bargaining Team members or Union Representative Juanita Quezada at 509-340-7407. If you have a potential grievance please reach out to the MEMBER RESOURCE CENTER at 1-866-210-3000

Lourdes Medical Center/ LifePoint - Technical Bargaining Continues

Our Bargaining Team met with the Employer for two days of bargaining this week and are confident that our hard work at the table will help win a contract that will address economic justice and strengthen our Union within the workplace. 

Our next bargaining dates: Wednesday, January 4 and Thursday, January 5

For questions, concerns, or comments, please reach out to a Bargaining Team Member or Union Rep Juanita Quezada @ 509-340-7407.

“Positive thinking will let you do everything over negative thinking.” 

- Malinda Mcbee, Pharmacy Tech

 “Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much.”

- Monica Cacioppo, Pharmacy Tech

 “Everything is looking good.  We are moving in the right direction.”

- Francisco Roman-Montoya, Rehab Aide

“The battle is long but the reward is great.” 

- David Coomes, Surgical Tech

“Your Bargaining Team is working hard for you, have no fear.”

- Shahna Airoldi, Ultrasound

Our Lourdes Medical Center Bargaining Team (L-R): Malinda Mcbee - Pharmacy Tech, Monica Cacioppo - Pharmacy Tech, Juanita Quezada - Union Rep, Francisco Roman-Montoya - Rehab Aide, David Coomes - Surgical Tech, Shahna Airoldi - Ultrasound, Robert Roy, Respiratory Therapist; Not pictured: George Rodriguez - Surgical Tech

Providence Everett - Management finally responds to Union proposed incentives and retention bonus!

Providence Everett Medical Center
Management finally responds to Union proposed incentives and retention bonus!

For several months, we have been asking Providence to focus on improving staffing through incentives. In July, we proposed to Providence Everett Management three incentives to help with retention and recruitment. We proposed: 1) a flip shift incentive which would give day/evening shift employees time-and-a-half for every hour worked during a temporary night shift assignment; 2) an extra shift incentive for any employee who works beyond their assigned FTE; 3) an $8,000 retention bonus, split in two payments, for all employees who have been employed since July 1, 2022.

Providence finally responded to our proposal on October 3. They responded with an extra shift incentive only for RNs, Discharge Planners, Transition Planners, Respiratory Therapists, CT Techs, MRI Techs, Medical Lab Techs, Medical Techs ASCP, Senior Medical Techs, Surgical Techs, and Sterile Processing Techs. These employees who are assigned a 0.9 FTE or below would receive time-and-one-half pay for shifts beyond their FTE and employees who are assigned above a 0.9 FTE would receive double time pay for shifts beyond their FTE.

While we recognize Providence’s effort to alleviate staffing problems with this incentive, we do not believe this is sufficient. The incentive is only for a portion of employees. It is important that all nurses, professionals, and techs be included!

We will be discussing the incentives with your Bargaining Committee and responding to Providence. Please reach out to your Union Rep or Bargaining Committee for questions or comments.

Providence Everett RN Pro Tech update Reduced ESBs means more staffing problems!

Providence Everett RN, Pro & Tech

Reduced ESBs will result in more staffing problems!

In January, Providence Everett Management proposed to reduce the February extra shift bonus (ESB) stating that the current bonus amounts are extremely costly which has resulted in going over budget. They also mentioned they want to align their ESB amounts to better match the lesser bonus amounts of other Providence hospitals.

We told Providence that we did not agree with their proposal and proposed we wait until mid-February to evaluate March bonus amounts for each unit. We believe reduced ESBs will result in less staff volunteering for extra shifts, which will increase caregivers’ workload and will lead to more burnout/resignations. If there is less staff, then there will be less caregivers to provide care. We are deeply concerned about the well-being of caregivers and the quality of care the community will receive if there is less staff.

We also asked Management on January 28 to provide information regarding vacancies, labor expenses on agency/travel staff, recruitment and retention plans, and monthly labor expenses since 2019. This information is needed to better understand their claims. We still have not received a response to our information request.

We are disappointed that Management has chosen to implement the reduced rates and will be asking them to reconsider their position for the sake of patient care and the well-being of UFCW 21 members.

If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to your union representative, Anthony Cantu.

Capital Medical Center Service Technical - Tentative Agreement Reached! Vote Scheduled

Full details of the offer will be available during our online vote meetings!

Thursday, February 24
9AM - 10AM
6PM - 7PM
https://zoom.us/join
Contact the Bargaining Team or Union Rep for call-in details. Details will also be emailed out.

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Our Bargaining Team has reached a tentative agreement with Management on a new three-year collective bargaining agreement for the Service & Technical unit at Capital Medical Center! We are excited to announce that this tentative agreement includes:

• Historic wage increases unlike we’ve ever seen at Capital, resulting in wage scales similar to Tacoma General Hospital,

• $1,750 ratification bonus, pro-rated by FTE,

• Per Diem differential increased to 15%, resulting in an extra 3% wage increase for all per diems,

• Increases to several differentials/premiums,

• Changes to Paid Time Off (PTO) that would result in higher accrual rates for most employees,

• And so much more!

While we did agree to a lower Extended Illness Bank (EIB) accrual rate, we were able to push out that change until January 1, 2024. In exchange, we won other improvements to EIB & PTO such as removing the cap on EIB accruals (unlimited EIB bank), EIB cash out upon termination in good standing, donation of EIB to coworkers in need, ability to cash out twice as much PTO each year and, when cashing out PTO, employees will be paid 100% of it’s value instead of the current 90% rate.

It’s extremely important that members attend the Zoom meeting to get a full understanding of the Employer’s offer and have your questions answered. However, voting will not take place at this meeting.

We will be voting online via “SimplyVoting” on Friday, February 25 from 6AM - 8PM. You will be receiving an email from UFCW 21 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information.

In order to vote, everyone needs to make sure their personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email, go to: ufcw21.org/update-your-information

If you do not receive an email to vote on Friday, February 25, then please reach out to Union Representative Ian Jacobson 206-436-6550 to provide an updated email address no later than 5PM on the day of the vote.

PRMCE Techs Ratify Contract!

On February 2, 2022 Providence Everett techs voted online to approve a new contract through 6/30/25. The agreement includes robust across the board wage increases, many market adjustments, and improvements to step progression on the wage scales with NO TAKEAWAYS!

Need to join UFCW? Fill out your membership application!

Our PRMCE Professionals Bargaining Team: Maria Goodall, Vascular Ultrasound; Darryl Keffer, Respiratory; Rodney Powers, Diagnostic Imaging; Terryl Smith, Pharmacy Tech

Capital Medical Center Technical Service - NEGOTIATIONS COLLAPSE

“We cannot have a deal unless the employer compensates us for the time worked without a raise since our contract was scheduled to expire in October.”

Bargaining Team: Adam Swigart, Julie Hinchcliff, and Maureen Ciglia

Your bargaining team met with management again on January 21 and 24 to continue negotiations for your successor contract.

We are disappointed to report that negotiations collapsed late into Monday night. While the union had made significant movement towards an agreement, the employer refused to make any meaningful changes to their proposal that would indicate that they were ready for a deal.

In fact, your bargaining team began our Monday bargaining session by informing the employer that we were ready to work into the night to reach an agreement. By mid-afternoon the employer stated that they didn’t feel that working into the night would be worth the effort, signaling that they did not care to reach a deal. Despite the management’s lack of enthusiasm, we continued discussions late into the evening. 

The major problem remains their proposed reduction of our Extended Illness Bank accruals and the removal of the day after Thanksgiving as a holiday. The union made proposals to mitigate the effects of such changes, however, we made clear that retro-pay back to scheduled expiration is the key to reaching a settlement on these issues. The employer responded with an insulting $275 ratification bonus instead of retro. MultiCare made explicitly clear to your bargaining team that they have no interest in paying employees at Capital Medical Center retro pay, even though they offered it to UFCW members at Tacoma General and Auburn Medical Center last year.

We did have informal talks about a higher ratification bonus, but it was nothing close to what we are owed for all the hours we’ve worked since our contract was originally scheduled to expire in October.

To make matters worse, the employer surprised your Bargaining Team by LOWERING their proposed across the board increase in the first year. Management’s excuse was that they needed to make such an adjustment to pay for other “improvements” they were offering since they had already exceeded their authority on the cost of our contract.

Your bargaining team felt strongly that we cannot accept an offer that cut our EIB accruals, removed a paid holiday, included a first year across the board increase that was lower than our last session, and included an insulting ratification bonus. 

We made clear to the employer that the Union’s movement towards the employer’s demands were not only contingent on retro-pay, but would also expire on Monday at 11:59PM. Since we failed to reach a deal, the union’s offer is now off the table and not available to the employer.   

We are working to enlist the assistance of a federal mediator, at which point we will schedule additional bargaining dates with management. 

Next Steps:

Stand up against MultiCare by reaching out to a Bargaining Team member or Union Representative to get “Keep your Hands off our PTO & EIB” stickers that you can wear in your workplace. 

Attend regular Contract Action Team (CAT) meetings to hear the latest updates regarding negotiations, plan actions to pressure management, and learn how to get your co-workers involved. Our next meeting is being held virtually February 2 @ 6:00PM

Capital Medical Center CAT Meeting

Wednesday, February 2 • 6:00PM

https://zoom.us/join

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

PRMCE Technical - Tentative Agreement Reached Bargaining Team Unanimously Recommends a Yes Vote

On January 18, 2022 our bargaining team reached a tentative agreement on our contract. This expedited bargaining process has been successful and resulted in big wins for our bargaining unit without any takeaways.

• The three-year agreement includes:

• Competitive wage increases, including market adjustments for many classifications

• Bonus upon ratification and one year later

• Improvements to step progressions in the wage scale

• Increases to education funds

• Increases to evening and night shift differentials

• Increases to Standby Pay 

• Increases to Preceptor Pay

• Improvement to Bereavement Leave

• Improvements to grievance procedure

• New Standby bonus for excessive standby hours

• AND NO TAKEAWAYS

“We’re happy to have bargained early to implement wage increases before the expiration of our contract. This contract will help our hospital retain the team we have and recruit so that we can provide the best level of care. We fought hard to make sure that everyone’s voices were heard and encourage you to vote YES on this offer. Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Our PRMCE Professionals Bargaining Team: Maria Goodall, Vascular Ultrasound; Darryl Keffer, Respiratory; Rodney Powers, Diagnostic Imaging; Terryl Smith, Pharmacy Tech

Full details of the contract offer will be available during the online vote on Wednesday, February 2 from 6AM - 8PM. You will receive an email from UFCW 21 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information. All members in good standing are eligible to vote. 

TO VOTE ONLINE, make sure your information is up to date! In order to vote on proposals, make sure your personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email, please update your email @ ufcw21/update-your-information.

If you do not receive an email to vote on Wednesday, February 2, please reach out to Union Representative Anthony Cantu at acantu@ufcw21.org or 206-436-6566 to provide an updated email address.

Have Questions? 

Full details of the offer will be available at an online vote meeting Monday, January 31. Drop in from 7AM - 9AM and 5:30PM - 7:30PM

Monday, January 31

7AM - 9AM • 5:30PM - 7:30PM

https://zoom.us/join

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

Capital Medical Center Technical Service - BREAKTHROUGH!

Your Bargaining Team met with management again on January 10 to continue negotiations for your successor contract.

We are excited to report that we’ve made significant process in negotiations with management having a sudden change of heart. At the end of our last session, management surprised us by making an economic proposal that ceded to a significant portion of the Union’s economic demands, which would bring Capital Medical Center employees up to market competitive wages. 

For the last few months your Bargaining Team has been showing MultiCare comprehensive data that shows that our wages are far behind what other hospitals are paying, justifying our proposals for large increases. Your Bargaining Team also expressed frustration that MultiCare has been willing to give employees at other facilities significant wage increases but not Capital Medical Center, as if we are not a priority to MultiCare. You also make this clear by wearing stickers in the workplace that informed patients that “MultiCare is Failing our community.”

They listened… but we’re not done yet.  

While historic wage increases are on the table, MultiCare is still proposing to cut your Extended Illness Bank accruals by about 40%. We warned management that if they want a deal anytime soon, their proposal must be withdrawn, or we will be forced to take further action. We know the community will not stand for MultiCare’s attack on healthcare workers EIB, especially in the middle of a pandemic, no matter the wage increases being offered.

We will meet with the employer again on Friday, January 21 and it is possible that we’ll have an agreement. However, this will be contingent on MultiCare withdrawing their EIB proposal. In the meantime, please continue to wear your union stickers at work and tell your manager what you think about their EIB proposal. 

“We’ve seen a breakthrough in negotiations, historic wage increases are suddenly on the table”

Bargaining Team: Adam Swigart, Julie Hinchcliff, and Maureen Ciglia

Next Steps:

Stand up against MultiCare by reaching out to a Bargaining Team member or Union Representative to get “Keep your Hands off our PTO & EIB” stickers that you can wear in your workplace. 

Tell your manager what you think about MultiCare’s proposal to cut your EIB accruals by about 40%.

Attend regular Contract Action Team (CAT) meetings to hear the latest updates regarding negotiations, plan actions to pressure management, and learn how to get your co-workers involved. Our next meeting is being held virtually January 19 @ 6:00PM

Capital Medical Center CAT Meeting
Wednesday, January 19 • 6:00PM

MultiCare Covington Medical Center Service & Technical & RN - Emergency Wage Increases—Vote Scheduled

We are pleased to announce that we’ve come to a tentative agreement with MultiCare on emergency wage increases for all UFCW Local 21 members at Covington Medical Center! The proposed increases would align our wages with the union contracts recently negotiated at Auburn Medical Center.

It is also important to note that this is considered a mid-cycle increase, meaning that it is occurring outside of normally scheduled contract negotiations. Therefore, we are still scheduled to renegotiate your contract later this year, which will be another opportunity to further increase wages and make other changes to your contract. 

However, the proposed wage increase must first be approved by a vote of membership before they can be implemented. We will be voting online via “SimplyVoting” on Thursday, January 13 from 6:00AM to 8:00PM. You will be receiving an email from UFCW 21 via “SimplyVoting” with your unique login information. 

In order to vote, everyone needs to make sure their personal email is up to date in our records. If you did not receive this announcement via email, please visit ufcw21.org/update-your-information and update your information. If you do not receive an email to vote on Thursday, January 13, then please reach out to Union Representative Kent Tse at ktse@ufcw21.org no later than 5PM on the day of the vote to provide an updated email address. 

Have Questions? 

There will be virtual meetings on the day of the vote to explain the details of the offer and answer any questions. Drop-in anytime during the scheduled meeting times.

Thursday, January 13

6AM – 8AM & 5PM – 7PM

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