Important Letter to MultiCare Members
January 9, 2012
Dear UFCW 21 members at MultiCare:
This letter is to update all members regarding MultiCare’s effort to stop you from getting information from your union representative Pam Blauman in the cafeteria, a practice which has been going on for well over a decade. I want to be crystal clear: MultiCare is threatening to arrest Pam because they do not want members to be informed. They do not want members to receive answers to questions about workplace issues and your rights as a union member. They don’t want you to know about the status of grievances and the attack on your health care. The work and connection with members has helped protect our health plan, secure our defined benefit pension, and gain wage increases among many other wins for workers over a decade.
We deeply appreciate the strong support members have shown to Pam, who is simply carrying out her responsibility to effectively represent her members. Most importantly, we appreciate that members see this for what it is, an attack by MultiCare on all our members’ and our union’s rights.
In 30 years as a staff member of this union and countless interactions with employers of every size and type, including top Fortune 50 companies, I have never seen a letter like this one by MultiCare which so personally threatens someone for doing their job. Below is the letter for your reference.
The letter not only states that MultiCare may have Pam arrested if she continues to do her job but then goes on to threaten her personally: “You may also be personally liable for civil damages of up to $5,000 per day as well as costs and attorneys fees…”
If MultiCare had an issue with her behavior, there is a process in our contract that allows them to resolve it: they can file a grievance. Unfortunately, MultiCare has resorted to bullying and abusing power in an attempt to intimidate Pam and our members. This will not stand or be tolerated by our union. She does not want to be arrested. She wants to do her job and will continue to stand up for her members as she always has, with determination, resolve and deep commitment to our membership.
We have filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board regarding this threat and attempt to deny our members rights to information. We have also informed MultiCare we will hold them legally responsible for any false arrest or prosecutions.
Moreover, we are putting all labor and community organizations in Tacoma and the surrounding area on alert in case MultiCare has Pam arrested. You can be certain there will be a very strong and loud public awareness campaign and response to this outrageous attempt to bully our members and our union should MultiCare carry out their threat.
Of course, everyone, including management, is aware she has recently been doing what she’s done for over a decade without incident. Management is especially and particularly aware, as they themselves have discussed workplace issues with her in the very cafeteria they are now trying to remove her from.
Together we will turn back this attack and continue to stand strong for our rights at work.
Dave Schmitz, President
UFCW 21
