Agreement Makes Major Breakthrough on Health Benefits

June 27, 2008

By an overwhelming margin, Local 21 members at Central Washington Hospital voted on June 10th and 11th to approve a new contract that includes solid wage increases and major improvements on health care. Many union members at the hospital spoke out at the vote meetings to express their strong support for the new contract.

Highlights of
our new contract:

Our new contract improves wages, benefits, and working conditions at Central Washington Hospital. Full details of the offer were distributed at the vote meetings, but some of the highlights of our agreement include:

Wage Increases

• Wage increases of at least 2.5% effective July 1, 2008 —and up to 5% for some classifications. These increases come in addition to the 2.5% step increases you receive as you move up the wage scale.
• Additional 3% increases next year and in 2010.
• Reduced the number of years it takes to advance from Step 14 to 15 and Step 15 to 16.
• Adds a new Step 17 after 20 years of experience, effective next year, and adds a new Step 18 after 25 years, effective in 2010.

Affordable Health Care Benefits

• We made a major breakthrough on the cost of dependant medical coverage: beginning January 1, 2010, the hospital will pay at least 30% of the cost of dependant coverage on the Enhanced medical plan for full time employees, and 15% for part time employees. For plans that cost less than the Enhanced plan, this will work out to an even higher percentage of employer paid coverage.
• No increases to monthly premiums for employee-only coverage.

Other Improvements

• New Holiday call back premium of $10 per hour.
• Union members will have the option to voluntarily contribute to the union’s Political Action Fund through payroll deduction, if they choose to do so. These funds are used to build our strength to elect candidates who stand with us on working family issues —and hold them accountable if they don’t.

What’s Next

Our new wage scales and other changes will go into effect as the final contract documents are prepared for signature. We will distribute copies of the contract promptly once the final agreement has been reviewed and signed.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, speak to a member of the union bargaining team, or call Union Representative Pat Silvernale at 1-800-732-1188, ext. 6525.

Union Bargaining Team:
Becky Kinsey, Diagnostic Imaging
Russ Reynolds, Ultrasound
Aaron Wright, Surgery
Wendie Dyal, Hematology
Nancy Woolbright, Respiratory Therapy
Debbie Tincher, Pharmacy
David Fleishman, Negotiations Director
Patrick Silvernale, Union Representative