Contract Negotiations Updates
The UFCW 21 Bargaining Committee has met with Jefferson County on two separate occasions and continues to work on an agreement that will be satisfactory to all employees.
Health Care: One of the concerns was with our health care and the county has agreed to remain on the current plan.
We have made proposals to strengthen career ladder positions and are working on improving the language regarding...
Workers from Rite Aid and Bartell continue a long and difficult struggle to keep their current health care benefits and afair contract. Meanwhile the two Drug retailers want to reduce benefits, and make workers choose employer provided health care plans.
Currently, the two employers pay into the Sound Health and Wellness Trust, a health benefit amount totaling $4.15 per hour for union employees....
Management accidentally gave the union Bargaining Team two different versions of the proposed health plans. After clearing up the confusion, we know now what Management is offering and can proceed with bargaining.
Our counterproposals will cover the following issues:
Health Plan Management has proposed eliminating the PHP Primary plan. In addition to the current Group Health plans, they are...
On January 20, a Community Delegation delivered a letter to Diane Cecchettini’s Executive Assistant in her absence, addressing MultiCare’s recent anti-union behavior. The delegation’s letter stated:
…We feel that your threat to have the Union Representative arrested for doing the work she has done for the past decade is unlawful, unjust and an out-of-balance intrusion on the rights of...
But Threat RemainsTacoma General Cafeteria Tuesday afternoonToday, as part of her usual visit to the TG Cafeteria, Pam Blauman came to speak with members, update workers on issues and answer questions. So while Pam’s approach today was typical, MultiCare’s was far from normal.
True to their threatening letter, they called in the police. As the police arrived, Pam was conversing...
At our last bargaining session on January 5, it became very clear just how far apart the employer’s proposals are to the key issues for workers. These issues include wages, health benefits, and low census protection.
Summary of Where We Stand:
Issue
Employer
UFCW 21
Wages Year 1
0% across the board at ratification
Market adjustments December 2012
3% across the board 1/1/2012...
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...
Workplace UpdateAfter the initiative vote last November on state liquor stores, a series of meetings have been held in different locations around the state discussing issues relating to next steps for workers. Starting today (January 5, 2012), another round of meetings are to be held with WSLCB employees about the impacts of I-1183. Various meetings/workshops are expected to continue over the...
Payless Foods Inc. members voted on December 21 by 86% to approve a new contract that boosts wages and other improvements.
Highlights of the new contract include:
Lump sum bonus at ratification
Pay increase in years two and three for journeypersons
Protects our health plan
Protects our pension
The final contract documents are currently being reviewed for signature, and we will distribute copies...
Wednesday, January 4, 2012Drop in between Noon and 9 PMUFCW 21 Hall 1710 N Calispel, Spokane
Come meet lead negotiator David Fleishman, together we’ll develop a plan of action to secure a fair contract.
Highlights of challenges in our current technical bargain include:
0% across the board pay raises in the first year and only ½% raise in years 2 and 3
Elimination of the 100% PHP health plan...
Last month MultiCare threatened our rights to get information as union members and to connect in our workplace. This is a fundamental right which allows workers to stick together and improve our lives.
Their threat was communicated in a letter after Pam Blauman's visit to the cafeteria on November 22. MultiCare's letter threatened to arrest Pam if she were to return and do as she...
After two days of bargaining we received Management’s full proposal including pay, health benefits and scheduling. Here are some of the key elements of their offer:
• 0% across the board pay raises. (Step raises will still be maintained for those that are scheduled to receive one.)
• Elimination of the 100% PHP health plan.
• Elimination of job postings in prominent...
A Tentative agreement has been reached with Childhaven on a new three year agreement.
Contract Vote Meeting
Monday, December 19th
Auburn Branch 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM in the Parent room
Creekmore Branch11:30 AM until 12:30 PM in the Conference Room
Broadway Branch 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM in the 3rd Floor Conference Room
While funding is still a serious issue at Childhaven all employees will...
Wednesday, December 21, 2011Drop in between:11:00 AM - 1:00 PMor 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMTrinity Lutheran Church(White Building on Corner of Hwy 525 & Woodland - Freeland, WA)
Please join us on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 to review the changes to your contract and vote.
Payless Foods has agreed in principle to accept the terms and conditions of the Puget Sound Area Agreement. We will review those...
In addition to MultiCare’s recent attack on our health care*, they have threatened to arrest Pam Blauman. MultiCare says if she continues to represent members in the cafeteria, as she has for years, by providing them with important information about their rights, such as copies of their union contracts she will be escorted out by law enforcement.
Is MultiCare Afraid of...
Bargaining continued November 29, 2011. We exchanged more proposals with management and did come to agreements on some minor issues but remain apart on wages and benefits.
What's Next:
Bargaining will resume on Monday, December 12th and Tuesday, December 13th. We will keep you updated as we progress, if you have any questions, please contact a member of your bargaining committee, or Union...
On November 16, 2011, Union members at Zenith Administrators voted to approve a new contract that boosts wages and makes other improvements.
Highlights of the new contract include:• Pay increase for all members in each year of the new two year agreement retro active to October 1, 2011.• Ratification bonus for all members• Employer will pick up all hourly cost increases for our...
Bargaining resumed November 17, 2011. We were hoping to receive Managements complete economic and benefit proposal, however time did not allow for that to happen. We will receive the complete proposal at our next bargaining session and work through that proposal with the goal of getting us the best possible contract in these difficult economic times we are facing.
What’s next:We meet again with...
Our Bargaining Team presented a full proposal to Management on November 15. Management will bring their offer to us at the next bargaining session on December 7.
Our proposal included:
Wage increases of at least 3.5% across the board plus step anniversary increases
Job postings prominent in the departments
Fairer lay-off language
Extra shifts going to full and part time volunteers prior to...
Bargaining resumed on Tuesday, November 8th. Management provided us the balance of their initial proposal which included economics.
The proposal included no adjustment to the current wage scale in year 1, meaning only step increases this year for those of us that actually have a step in front of us this year, and zero increase to the wage scale. Year two they want to re-open the wage portion of...
