Union Members United at Olympic Medical Center

March 31, 2008

Nancy Cupa

“When we work together to win good contracts, that’s good for us, good for the hospital, and good for the patients. Our union makes us stronger and better.”

Nancy Cupa, Ultrasound Tech, Local 21 bargaining team member

With five different contracts expiring this year at Olympic Medical Center, this has already been a busy year for union members – and we still have a long way to go.

The benefit of having so many contracts open at the same time is that it provides us more opportunities to work together to support each other and our shared goals. This is especially important as the economy slows and protecting wages, benefits, and working conditions is more important than ever.

Support Central Billing Office Employees in Their Fight for a First Contract

Last year, CBO employees signed cards and asked to be represented by Local 21. Since then, CBO employees have been working with Local 21 to try and come to agreement on a first contract with Administration.

After several months of negotiations, we have still not been able to reach agreement with OMC. Billing Office employees aren’t trying to get the moon and stars here. They just want good wages, fair treatment, benefits they can count on, and a chance to move towards parity with other OMC union employees over the long term.

New Home Health Contract Boosts Wages

Earlier this year, we secured a contract for Home Health employees that improves wages and benefits.

  • 3% increase for all employees this year, 4% next year, and 3% in 2010.
  • Additional increases for classifications where wages had not kept pace with union standards in our area.
  • Improved PTO accruals, increases in weekend premium, and two new steps on the wage scale
  • Lower health insurance costs for spouse and dependent coverage.
  • Improved Labor/Management committee to address workplace issues specific to Home Health employees.

At this point, Administration is unwilling to move on two key issues: floating holidays and pension benefits. We think that they’re simply not being fair to CBO employees, and we’re asking for your help and support to win a first contract that provides the standards they deserve.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking action in several different ways to get the hospital to focus on the remaining issues. Stay tuned and get ready to show your support for CBO employees in the weeks ahead.

Far Apart in Pro/Tech Negotiations

Pro/Tech negotiations are also underway at this time. So far, we have held three meetings with the Employer and the tone is still positive. However, the remaining issues – especially wages — are usually the toughest to reach agreement on in any negotiations. OMC is still preparing their first wage proposal, and we should have it shortly. At that point, we’ll have a better idea where we stand, and what course Pro/Tech negotiations will take.

The Pro/Tech bargaining committee includes: Tim Sweeney, Summer Northern, Gloria Andrus, Ed Mulholland, Kathryn Lawrence, Kevin Tracy, Patricia Wood, Roy Albertson, Nancy Cupa, Charles Primm (Union Representative), and Chuck Ardingo
(Union Negotiator)

What’s Next

With so many negotiations happening at the same time, it’s clear we have a long way to go. It’s also clear – like always – that we have more strength to stand up for our priorities the more of us there are to work together.

Stay tuned. We’ll see what happens in the weeks ahead, and we’ll let you know how to get involved in our effort to win fair contracts for all Local 21 members at OMC.

Bargaining Updates | Olympic Medical Center