Providence Meal Waiver and Shift Length Changes

UFCW 3000 has filed an unfair labor practice charge against all Providence hospitals for implementing shift length changes and not bargaining to an impasse with us over the meal waiver. Additionally, we have filed grievances since Providence changed work schedules without the caregivers' consent and have not been paying members for missed or late second meal periods.

Given Providence's decision to proceed with extending shift lengths, we advise 10-hour and 12-hour shift workers to carefully consider their options. You may choose to accept an extended shift with two meal periods or opt to waive the second meal period and retain your current shift length. If you opt to waive the second meal period, you retain the right to revoke this decision at any time through your core leader. However, we strongly advise against waiving the timing of your meal period, as you are entitled to 30 minutes of pay for late meal periods.

*"Question 1) I am voluntarily requesting to waive my second unpaid meal period if I am entitled to one." *

Recommendation: ACCEPT means your shift length will remain the same or DECLINE means your shift will be extended, and you will receive two meal periods as a 10-hour and 12-hour shift worker.

*"Question 2) I am voluntarily requesting to take my unpaid meal periods at a time that may not be within a two-to-five-hour block of work." *

Recommendation: DECLINE means if your meal period is not within the two-to-five-hour block, then you should receive 30 minutes of pay. You can file a complaint with L&I if you are not paid accordingly.

>> Track your late meal periods here!

>> If you feel that you have been coerced into signing the meal waiver by Providence, we strongly encourage you to file a complaint with L&I.

Providence Meal Waiver and Shift Length Changes

In December 2023, Providence issued a meal waiver to all members of the UFCW 3000 bargaining unit. As union members, we have the collective right to negotiate over the terms of this waiver. Earlier this year, we engaged in negotiations with Providence regarding the meal waiver language. Despite our reasonable proposal, Providence rejected our language. Furthermore, we informed Providence that, based on past practices and contractual agreements, they were not permitted to alter shift lengths.

However, in February 2024, Providence began informing members of their intention to implement changes to shift lengths. We believe Providence is sidestepping the bargaining process by unilaterally implementing these changes and acting in bad faith. Consequently, we are initiating unfair labor practice proceedings against Providence. We have issued a cease-and-desist letter to Providence and are demanding to return to the bargaining table to resolve this matter.

Given Providence's decision to proceed with extending shift lengths, we advise 10-hour and 12-hour shift workers to carefully consider their options. You may choose to accept an extended shift with two meal periods or opt to waive the second meal period and retain your current shift length. If you opt to waive the second meal period, you retain the right to revoke this decision at any time through your core leader.

However, we strongly advise against waiving the timing of your meal period, as you are entitled to 30 minutes of pay for late meal periods.

Question 1: I am voluntarily requesting to waive my second unpaid meal period if I am entitled to one.

Recommendation:
ACCEPT means your shift length will remain the same.
OR
DECLINE means your shift will be extended and you will receive two meal periods as a 10 hour and 12-hour shift worker.

Question 2: I am voluntarily requesting to take my unpaid meal periods at a time that may not be within hours two through five-hour block of work.

Recommendation:
DECLINE means if your meal period is not within the two-to-five-hour block then you should receive 30 minutes of pay. You can file a complaint with L&I if you are not paid accordingly.

Track your late meal periods here >>

Know your Rights! Providence Meal Waiver

UFCW 3000 is working with Providence to address the Meal Waiver situation. We consider the language in the meal waiver to be a direct negotiation with employees since Providence is asking you to waive rights outlined in our contracts. We want to ensure that you receive appropriate compensation for missed or late meal periods and that your contract is not negatively impacted.

For shifts of 11 hours or more: If your shift length is 11 hours or more, you are entitled to two 30-minute meal periods. If you are currently only receiving one 30-minute meal period and have not waived your second meal period, you may be entitled to compensation. Additionally, the employer may extend your shift based on the language in the CBA and past practices in order to accommodate your second meal period.

It is your right to waive the second meal period, but you may miss out on overtime pay for missing your second meal period if you choose to waive it. While we recommend not waiving your second meal period, the decision to do so is ultimately yours.

We will be holding a Zoom meeting on Monday, February 5, from 6 - 7 pm for all Providence members to ask questions about the meal waiver. Join the meeting at that time by clicking here:

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please reach out to your union rep:

• Anthony Cantu (Providence Everett RNs): 206-436-6566

• Jack Crow (Providence Everett Pros and Techs): 206-436-6614

• Madison Derksema (Providence St. Peter, Providence Radiant Care, and Providence Centralia): 206-436-6603

• Lenaya Wilhelm (Providence Holy Family and Sacred Heart): 509-340-7369

• Juanita Quezada (Providence Sacred Heart Techs and Providence St. Mary): 509-340-7407

• Amy Radcliff (Providence Mt. Carmel and St. Joseph): 509-340-7370

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Health Care Rest Breaks & Meal Periods: Know Your Rights and Your Contract

Shift Length	Rest Breaks	Meal Period
4-5 hour shift	10 min* x1	0
8-hour shift	10 min* x2	30 min x1
10-hour shift	10 min* x2	30 min x1
12-hour shift	10 min* x3	30 min x2
16-hour shift	10 min* x4	30 min x2

*10 minutes is the WA State minimum. If your contract bargaining agreement (CBA) states 15 minutes, you should receive 15-minute rest breaks

• You must receive a paid rest break for every four (4) hours worked.

• You cannot waive your right to a rest break.

Meal Period: Your right to a meal period

A meal period cannot be substituted for breaks: Any employee who works more than four (4) hours gets their breaks as outlined above, and any scheduled meal period.

You are entitled to a 30-minute uninterrupted meal period when working more than five hours. The first meal period must be between the second and fifth hour worked. If you work 11 hours or more during the day, you must receive a second meal period no later than five (5) hours after the end of your first meal period.

Interrupted Mealtime: If you are required to stay on duty during a meal break you are still entitled to 30 total minutes of mealtime, excluding interruptions, plus 30 minutes of pay. Time spent performing the work task is not considered part of the meal period. The entire meal period must be paid no matter the number of interruptions. For example, if you received a 30-minute meal break but had to answer your work phone throughout then you should be paid 30 minutes for your meal period and receive a total of 30 minutes (non-consecutive) mealtime. 

Late Mealtime: If you are not given time to have a 30-minute mealtime, you must be paid for your time worked plus 30 minutes. Paying employees 30 minutes for the meal period does not absolve the employer’s responsibility to give you a late 30-minute unpaid mealtime when practicable.

The above is a general guideline to meal periods and rest breaks. For more in-depth information please contact your union representative OR download the Health Care Guide to Meal and Rest Breaks >>

Relevant Laws:

• WAC 296-126-092

• RCW 49.12.480

Providence Meal Waiver Update

In December 2023, Providence sent out a meal waiver to all UFCW 3000 represented employees. Providence is seeking to get employees to waive the timing of their first and second meal period, and waive their right to a second meal period if they are a 10 hour or 12 hour shift employee. Per the collective bargaining agreements, meal breaks should be administered per WA state law WAC 296-126-092  andRCW 49.12.480

RCW 49.12.480

• 8 hour shift employee- 2 paid rest breaks and one unpaid 30 minute meal period for every 5 hours worked with the first unpaid meal break between the second and fifth hour of the shift
   

• 10 hour shift employee- 2 paid rest breaks and one unpaid 30 minute meal period for every 5 hours worked with the first unpaid meal break between the second and fifth hour of the shift 
   

• 12 hour shift employee- 3 paid rest breaks and one unpaid 30 minute meal period for every 5 hours worked with the first unpaid meal break between the second and fifth hour of the shift

If you do not receive your meal period or receive a late meal period, you are supposed to be paid 30 minutes for every missed meal period. If you believe you have not been paid appropriately, please contact your union representative.

UFCW 3000 is recommending that you deny Providence’s request to both questionson the meal waiver. Our position is that Providence cannot change the timing of the meal period without bargaining over this issue and by waiving your right to a second meal period you may be losing out on overtime pay.

We have demanded that Providence remove the timing question from the meal waiver and bargain with us over the confusing language in the meal waiver. We have not heard back from Providence but expect an answer this week.

Our recommendation is that you respond in the following way:

1. Question 1: I am voluntarily requesting to waive my second unpaid meal period if I am entitled to one. DECLINE
    

2. Question 2: I am voluntarily requesting to take my first and second (if applicable/not waived) unpaid meal period at a time that is different than between hours two through five of my work periods. DECLINE

If you have any questions, please reach out to your union rep: Anthony Cantu (Providence Everett RNs), Jack Crow (Providence Everett Pros and Techs), Madison Derksema (Providence St. Peter, Providence Radiant Care and Providence Centralia), Lenaya Wilhelm (Providence Holy Family and Sacred Heart), Juanita Quezada (Sacred Heart Tech), Amy Radcliff (Mt Carmel RN and St. Joes).

Providence Centralia Tech Unfair Labor Practice filed for PTO hours!

When we ratified our union contract in September 2021 we understood that we would be receiving 24 hours (prorated by FTE) of additional PTO hours in January 2023, like the Providence St. Peter Hospital Techs, to address the change from the Extended Illness Bank Program to PTO/ PTO Safe Sick Program.

In early 2023, we only received 16 hours of PTO. We asked PCH to correct this issue and they stated this was not our agreement. Given their position we filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The NLRB is still investigating the ULP.

We are holding firm that 8 hours (prorated by FTE) need to be added to our PTO banks. We will continue providing updates once we hear more from the NLRB. You can also contact our union representative Brandan Zielinski 206-436-6603 if you have further questions or workplace issues.

Providence Centralia hospital RN - We have reached a tentative agreement!

Providence Centralia hospital RN - We have reached a tentative agreement!

On June 8 we reached a tentative agreement with Providence Centralia Management! Last bargaining cycle in 2019, Providence proposed taking away some of our benefits, which resulted in us bargaining for almost a year and authorizing a strike. This time around, Providence made no proposals to reduce or eliminate any of our benefits. In fact, we were able to win additional annual leave! We made it clear to Providence that in order to retain and recruit nurses we needed a competitive wage scale.

We were able to win between 3% and 14% wage increases for nurses in the first year of the contract! We believe with the new wage scale, multiple annual increases, increases to premiums and annual leave, and enforceable staffing language, the Hospital will be able to retain and recruit nurses.

We will be holding in-person vote meetings on June 21 from 6AM-9AM, 11AM-2PM, and 4PM-8PM at the Peppermill Inn at 1233 Alder St. Centralia WA 98531. On the day of the vote, we will review the full tentative agreement and answer questions. If you have any questions, please reach out to the bargaining team or your union Rep.

Your bargaining committee is recommending a “YES” vote!

Contract Vote: Tuesday, June 21

6am-9am, 11am-2pm, and 4pm-8pm

Peppermill Inn at 1233 Alder St. Centralia WA 98531

Providence Centralia - President’s Day will continue to be a paid holiday in 2022

We previously reported that President’s Day would be replaced with Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2022. We have heard from the bargaining unit and bargaining committee that this change would create scheduling issues and should be discussed at the bargaining table in 2022.

As so, President’s Day will remain a paid holiday in 2022 and Martin Luther King Jr. Day will not be a paid holiday.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Union Representative, Erin McCoy (206) 436-6598.

Providence Centralia Techs UNANIMOUSLY RATIFIY FIRST CONTRACT!

On October 7, the Providence Centralia Techs unanimously approved their first contract! About fifteen months after organizing, we were able to obtain a great first contract with competitive wage increases and job protections.

Our next step is for both parties to sign the contract, which usually takes one to two months. Then we will distribute paper copies of the contract and post it on our website at: ufcw21.org.

Your new wage increases will go into effect the first full pay period following October 7.

If you have any workplace or disciplinary issues, please reach out to your Union Rep Erin McCoy, 206-436-6598 (landline), or the Membership Resource Center, 206-436-6570.

You can find more information about your Union rights, Shop Steward training, free college, Union discounts, and how to sign a Union membership application at: ufcw21.org/new-members.

Welcome to UFCW 21, PCH Techs, and congratulations on winning your first contract!

Bargaining Team: Jennifer Frunz, Kathy Spencer, Jennifer Mullins

Providence Centralia Hospital Support Service overwhelmingly approved their first contract

On September 15, the Providence Centralia Support Service overwhelmingly approved their first contract! About fourteen months after organizing, we were able to obtain a great first contract with competitive wage increases and job protections.

Our next step is for both parties to sign the contract and then we will distribute the contract, and post the contract on www.ufcw21.org. This process usually takes about one to two months. Your wage increases will go into effect the first full pay period following September 15, 2021, which starts on September 26.

If you have any workplace or disciplinary issues please reach out to Erin McCoy (Union rep) or the Membership Resource Center at 206-436-6570.

Find more information HERE about your union rights, shop steward training, free college, union discounts, and how to sign a union membership application!

Welcome to UFCW 21 PCH Support Service and congratulations on winning your first contract!

Providence Centralia Hospital Tech - Contract vote scheduled

We reached a tentative agreement with Providence Centralia on September 8! The next step is for you to vote on the agreement. We will be going over the agreement on October 4 over Zoom. The full agreement and your wage rate will be available during the in-person vote on October 7 during the time slots listed. The contract must be ratified by a simple majority of voters on October 7. You cannot submit an absentee vote or electronic vote and cannot vote outside of the time slots listed.

Please reach out to our Bargaining Team or Union Rep Erin McCoy if you have any questions.

Join your coworkers on these important dates:

Contract Vote Meeting via Zoom
Monday, October 4
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Contact our Bargaining Team or Union Rep for details

Vote on your contract in-person
Thursday, October 7
6:30 AM - 9:30 AM
11 AM - 2 PM
4 PM - 7 PM
Peppermill Inn
1233 Alder St
Centralia, WA 98531

Providence Centralia Tech - Tentative Agreement Reached

Late night on September 8, after seventeen hours of bargaining, we reached a tentative agreement with Providence Centralia! After eleven months at the bargaining table and thirteen months after unionizing, we were able to obtain a great first contract for the Tech unit.

Our contract has a wage scale, longevity step increases, annual across-the-board wage increase, health insurance benefits, retirement benefits, and other job protections.

The next step is for our unit is to ratify the contract agreement. The full details of the agreement will be available in-person during our contract vote.

We will be holding a vote meeting in the next few weeks to go over the highlights of the agreement and to answer any questions. A follow-up update will be sent out next week with the vote date/location and vote meeting dates.

If you have any questions, please contact your union rep Erin McCoy or the Bargaining Team.

Providence Centralia Hospital - Contract Vote is Scheduled!

We reached a tentative agreement with Providence Centralia on August 27. The next step is for you to vote on the agreement. 

We will be going over the agreement on September 13 via Zoom. The full agreement and wage rate will be available during the in-person vote on September 15. The contract must be ratified by a simple majority of voters. You cannot submit an absentee vote or electronic vote.

PCH Support Services Vote Meeting via Zoom
Monday, September 13
4:30PM - 5:30PM

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

In-Person Vote @ Peppermill Inn
Wednesday, September 15
6:30AM - 9:30AM
11AM - 2PM
4PM - 7PM

 1233 Alder St
Centralia, WA 98531 

If you have any questions, please contact your union rep Erin McCoy or the bargaining team. 

Our Support Services Bargaining Team: Necole Moore, EVS; KayCee Grimm, Lab; Kim Jorgenson, ED HUC; Aaron Green, Kitchen; Laura Norton, Endo Tech

Providence Centralia Hospital Support Services - We Have Reached an Agreement! Your Bargaining Team Fully Recommends a “YES” Vote!

Late night on August 27 we reached a tentative agreement with Providence Centralia! After eleven months at the bargaining table and thirteen months after unionizing, we were able to obtain a great first contract for the Service unit. Our contract has a wage scale, longevity step increases, annual across-the-board wage increase, health insurance benefits, retirement benefits, and other job protections. The next step is for our unit to ratify the contract agreement. The full details of the agreement will be available in-person during our contract vote. 

We will be holding a vote meeting in the next few weeks to go over the highlights of the agreement and to answer any questions. A follow-up update will be sent out next week with the vote date/location and vote meeting dates. 

If you have any questions, please contact your union rep Erin McCoy or the bargaining team. 

In Solidarity, Your Support Services Bargaining Team: Necole Moore, EVS; KayCee Grimm, Lab; Kim Jorgenson, ED HUC; Aaron Green, Kitchen; Laura Norton, Endo Tech

Providence Centralia Tech - No Deal Reached! Next Bargaining Session on September 8!

On August 25 we met with Providence Centralia. We were able to reach tentative agreements on union membership, leave of absence, and management rights. We spent the rest of the day working on a proposal around wages, EIB/PTO, premium pay, retirement, health insurance, hours of work/overtime, education fund, and employment practices. 

Providence provided us with a comprehensive proposal which included: 

• Wages—Placement onto the wage scale and 2.5% wage increase in Year 1; 2% wage increase in Year 2 and an anniversary wage increase; 2% wage increase in Year 3 and an anniversary wage increase 

• Elimination of EIB/ reduced PTO program which is currently in place

• Ability to change health insurance and retirement plan from time to time 

• Education funds of $400 or $300 depending on your FTE

• No daily overtime

Our proposal included:

• Wages—Placement onto a competitive wage scale and a guaranteed 3.5% wage increase in 2021; 3% wage increase, anniversary wage increase, and two-step progression increase if your years of experience do not reflect your wage step in 2022; 3% wage increase, anniversary wage increase, and two-step progression increase if your years of experience do not reflect your wage step in 2023

• Reinstatement of the 2019 EIB/PTO 

• Health insurance and retirement cannot be change for the life of the contract 

• Education fund of $400 or $300 depending on your FTE plus three days of time off

• Daily overtime for all caregivers

As you can see the biggest differences between our proposals are wages, EIB/PTO, daily overtime, health insurance, and retirement plan. Given these differences we were not able to reach a deal on August 25.  In order to win better wage scale placement, better wage increases, and a better PTO plan we need everyone to sign a strike pledge card. 

This past week the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) found merit in our unfair labor practice (ULP) surrounding the changes to PTO! We will be going to hearing around this issue in November since Providence has taken the position that their changes were announced and therefore not illegal. We believe we have evidence which proves our point. This ULP would be our striking issue! 

Next step is to sign onto the strike pledge and we will be at the bargaining table again on September 8. If you have any questions, please contact the bargaining team or Erin McCoy. 

In Solidarity, Your Tech Bargaining Team: Jen Mullins, Rad Tech; Verity Olsen, Pharmacy Tech; Kathleen Spencer, RT; Jen Frunz, Mammo Tech

Providence Centralia - Union wage rates and benefits differ from Management's proposal

On August 5, we bargained with Providence Centralia. Although we have not met in more than a month, we were able to take the wins from the Providence Centralia Technical and Providence St. Peter’s Hospital bargaining tables and apply them to our unit’s bargain. Therefore, it is so important that we stand UNITED with our coworkers at PCH and PSPH. We were able to reach tentative agreements on Management rights, Union representation, Union membership, definitions, and leaves of absence.

The remaining articles are hours of work/overtime, rates of pay, premium pay, EIB/PTO, health programs, employment status, retirement plan, and duration of the agreement.

These articles are mostly all economic. Although we are close on a few issues within these articles the biggest differences between our proposals and Providence’s proposal are the following:

Hours of Work/Overtime

• UNION
  If you work beyond your scheduled work day or more than 40 hours in a week, you would receive daily and weekly overtime

• You will receive 1 ½ your rate of pay for hours worked beyond your FTE

• Caregivers will have two out of four weekends off in a month. Caregivers who usually have weekends off or who usually work weekends should not be affected

• PROVIDENCE
  Overtime only applies if you work more than 40 hours in a week

Rates of Pay

• UNION
  Year 1: Wage scale with 26 steps; everyone receives a 4.5% increase and in some cases caregivers will receive up to a 15% increase because their wage rates are below market
  Year 2 and Year 3: Everyone receives a 3% across the board increase (cost-of-living increase) and anniversary increase

• PROVIDENCE
  Year 1: 1.5% wage increase
  Year 2: wage scale with an increase to “minimum, midpoint, maximum” ranges
  Year 3: 1.5% wage increase and anniversary increase
  Year 4: 1.5% wage increase and anniversary increase

Premium Pay

• UNION
  Increases to all differentials

• PROVIDENCE
  No increases to any differentials

EIB/PTO

• UNION
  100% Employer-covered Employee only health insurance

• PROVIDENCE
  Continuing reduced PTO plan and will not bring back EIB

Health Programs

• UNION
  Continuation of current retirement plan

• PROVIDENCE
  Will not spell out the terms of the current plan and can change the plan from time to time

Retirement Plan

• UNION
  Continuation of current retirement plan

• PROVIDENCE
  Will not spell out the terms of the current plan and can change the plan from time to time

Duration

• UNION
  Contract expires in three years. Typically, Union contracts are three year agreements

• PROVIDENCE
  Contract expires in 2025

We have another bargaining session on August 10 where we will be digging deep on the remaining articles to come to an agreement. Providence has indicated that they wish to finalize the PCH Tech and PSPH Tech contracts this month but has not indicated that for our unit. It is important that we are not left behind and we get a similar contract to PCH Tech and PSPH Techs.

To show our UNITED power, please sign onto the strike pledge card which we will be presenting to Providence later on in August!

>> CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE STRIKE PLEDGE CARD >>

Providence Centralia Tech - Economics and Benefit Language Remains Unsettled!

On August 2, we met with Providence Centralia. As a team, we worked hard in the morning to analyze surrounding area hospital wages and determine if our wage proposal is reasonable. We determined that our proposed wage rates were slightly below other unionized hospitals, but above non-union hospitals. Given that, we did not change our wage scale, but made modifications in other parts of our proposal. 

We presented to Providence the following wage proposal: 

Year 1—Caregivers will be placed onto a 26 step wage scale based on their current hourly rate, with a guarantee that all caregivers would receive at least a 3.5% wage increase. Any caregiver whose years of service in their job classification at Providence does not correspond to their step placement will receive a two-step progression each year of the contract, until their years of service and step matches. 

Year 2 and 3—Caregivers would receive a 3% across-the-board increase and a 2% longevity step increase on their anniversary date. Any caregiver with 26 years of experience or more will receive a 3% across the board increase each year but will not receive a longevity step increase. 

Under Providence’s proposal, caregivers would receive a 1.5% increase in Year 1, an average of a 2% increase in Year 2, a 1.5% across-the-board increase and longevity step increase in Year 3, and a 1.5% across-the-board increase and longevity step increase in Year 4. Providence will also give two-step progression to caregivers whose years of service and step do not correspond starting in Year 2 of the contract. Also their wage scale stops at step 20 which means caregivers would top out faster under their wage scale. 

The difference between our proposal and Providence’s proposal is our wage table and annual wage increases. In most classifications, we are proposing base rates that are $2 to $5 more than their base rates. Additionally, their wage proposal is tied to accepting the elimination of EIB/reduction of PTO..

In order to move Providence to accepting our wage scale, we need to take action! We will be presenting strike pledge cards to Providence later in August to show them that we are willing to strike if they continue making the same PTO and wage proposal! 

Please sign a strike pledge card online and join us for an in-person meeting on August 9 from 6:30AM to 8:30AM and August 12 from 4PM to 6PM outside of the North Entrance at PCH near the physical therapy building to sign a strike pledge card and get a bargaining update! 

If you have any question please contact your union rep Erin McCoy. Our next bargaining session is on August 25. 

In Solidarity, Your Tech Bargaining Team: Jen Mullins, Rad Tech; Verity Olsen, Pharmacy Tech; Kathleen Spencer, RT; Jen Frunz, Mammo Tech

Providence Centralia Tech - Providence Centralia Tech - Providence Makes a Wage Proposal, but It Is Still Not Enough!

On July 26, 2021 we met with Providence Centralia management. In our previous bargaining session on June 30, 2021, Providence proposed a 2% across the board wage increase (cost of living increase), but they did not propose a wage scale. In that session we told Providence that we deserved a wage scale like Providence St. Peter’s Techs and every union contract within the Providence system. 

In this bargaining session, Providence finally made a wage proposal which included a wage scale, but it is not enough. Providence is proposing: 

• Year 1 (2021)—1.5% across the board increase (no wage scale)

• Year 2 (2022)—employees will be placed onto a wage scale depending on their hourly rate and not based on years of experience

• Year 3 (2023) and Year 4 (2024) 1.5% across the board increase and an increase on your anniversary date

• Continuing the new PTO plan and eliminating EIB 

UFCW 21 is proposing: 

• Year 1 (2021)—All employees shall receive at least a 4.5% wage increase and will be placed on a competitive wage scale depending on their years of experience

• Year 2 (2022)—3% across the board increase and 2% increase on your anniversary date

• Year 3 (2023)—3% across the board increase and 2% increase on your anniversary date 

• Reinstating the 2020 PTO/EIB plan and a three-year contract which is the typical duration of a union contract 

We believe that their proposal is a step in the right direction, but it still does not consider how far behind we are compared to the surrounding hospitals or our individual job experience. 

Our strike authorization and other actions are the reason why we were able to obtain this proposal! We now need to fight for our EIB/PTO and a wage scale for all three years of the contract.

We are getting closer to an agreement, but the major hurdles we are facing are wages, EIB/PTO, and keeping benefits as is for the life of the contract.

In order to get passed these hurdles, we need you all to sign onto our strike pledge card to show Providence that we will strike over our PTO unfair labor practice and wages if we do not see improvements to their proposals. 

We will be planning an in-person action in August to present these strike cards along with St. Peter’s and community partners.

If you have any question please contact your union rep Erin McCoy. Our next bargaining sessions are on August 2 and August 25. 

In Solidarity, Your Tech Bargaining Team: Jen Mullins, Rad Tech; Verity Olsen, Pharmacy Tech; Kathleen Spencer, RT; Jen Frunz, Mammo Tech

Providence Centralia Tech - Slow Progress! Future Action in August!

On July 19, we met with Providence for our eleventh bargaining session since October 2020. We were able to reach a tentative agreement on “Definitions” and clarified our weekend work proposal in the “Hours of Work and Overtime” article. We proposed language which would give caregivers the ability to get at least two weekends off in a month. Our intent with this language was misunderstood by Providence, but we have made it clear that we do not want to force caregivers to work more weekends, but instead the language is to give caregivers more weekends off!

Currently Providence has proposed a 2% wage increase and a continuation of their “minimum, midpoint, and maximum” ranges. We looked at surrounding hospitals and other tech union contracts and verified that our wage proposal is extremely reasonable and will bring our wages closer to the market average. 

We told Providence that we believe our proposal is not unreasonable and that we do not agree with their “ranges.” To obtain a longevity wage scale and yearly across the board increase (cost of living increase), we need to continue pressuring Providence. We need the entire unit to sign a strike pledge card so we can show Providence that we will strike if we do not see movement on PTO and wages! 

Our community partners are also signing to support us on the strike line if we end up striking. Please sign onto the strike pledge card online or with a bargaining committee member. We will be holding a contract update meeting on Tuesday, July 27 over Zoom. 

If you have any question please contact your union rep Erin McCoy. Our next bargaining sessions are on July 26, August 2, and August 25. 

In Solidarity, Your Tech Bargaining Team: Jen Mullins, Rad Tech; Verity Olsen, Pharmacy Tech; Kathleen Spencer, RT; Jen Frunz, Mammo Tech 

Contract Update Meeting

Tuesday, July 27

6:00PM

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

Sign the Pledge Card!

https://bit.ly/Prov-Strike-Pledge

Providence Centralia Tech - Providence’s Proposals Come Up Short Again!

On June 16, our PCH Tech unit authorized a strike by 88% and rejected Providence’s current contract offer by 97%! We joined the PCH Support Services, PSPH Techs, and PRMCE RNs in authorizing a strike! Together we are more than 2,000 caregivers who will potentially be going on strike if Providence continues to make subpar proposals!

On June 30, we met with Providence for our tenth bargaining session. As a team we went through our priorities and drafted proposals which will help advance negotiations.

One of the package proposals that we presented include union membership language, management’s rights, premium pay, and hours of work/overtime. Under union membership language, we proposed “ modified shop”, which is the same language PCH RNs currently have in their contract. This gives caregivers the option of becoming union members or opting out 30 days after initial hire or after ratification for current employees. We also proposed premiums like daily overtime, overtime above your FTE, increases to shift differentials  and lead pay, and preceptor pay.

Providence did finally hear our arguments and understood that training new hires and students goes above and beyond our job duties and agreed to preceptor pay!

Providence also made a counter proposal to our longevity wage scale and across the board increases. They proposed to keep their current wage ranges and merit system in place with a 2% wage increase.  This is extremely disappointing given that Providence St. Peter’s Techs were offered across the board wage increases with a longevity wage scale. Our team made it clear that we deserve the same type of wage scale and we do the same work as PSPH Techs!

Throughout this bargain, Providence has treated us differently than PSPH Techs and other units. It is time that we show Providence that we are willing to fight just like our sisters and brothers at PSPH. We are asking that you sign onto our strike pledge card and pledge to participate in a strike if it comes to that! Please attend a strike education meeting on July 7 @ 6 PM via Zoom for a bargaining update and to learn more about your right to strike.

If you have any question please contact your union rep Erin McCoy. Our next bargaining dates are on July 19 and 26.

In Solidarity, Your Tech Bargaining Team: Jen Mullins, Rad Tech; Verity Olsen, Pharmacy Tech; Kathleen Spencer, RT; Jen Frunz, Mammo Tech 

Strike Education Meeting

Wednesday, July 7 

6:00PM

https://zoom.us/join

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

Providence Centralia Support Services - Providence—Reinstate OUR PTO plan!

On June 16, our support service unit joined three other units—including Providence Everett RNs, Centralia Technical, and St. Pete’s Technical units—in voting overwhelmingly to authorize a strike!

On June 18, our committee sat down to identify our priorities and advance our bargain to win a fair first contract. Our proposals included: 

• Wage scale to prevent disparate wages 

• Reinstatement of our PTO/EIB program which will ensure we receive wage replacement while we are on medical leave for ourselves and our family 

• 100% Employer paid healthcare and contract language which would prevent premium increases

• Continuation of our retirement plan and contract language which would prevent reductions to contributions

• “Just cause”- the Employer must use progressive discipline, conduct a neutral investigation, and other standards to discipline employees

• Daily overtime and overtime for hours above our FTE

We have taken legal action against Providence and have filed an unfair labor practice with the National Labor Relations Board after Providence unilaterally eliminated our PTO plan and are asking the Board to reinstate our previous PTO plan. 

Striking is always our last option and our team is committed to bargaining in good faith to find solutions at the bargaining table. It is now time for Providences to do the same thing, take our proposals seriously and provide a fair and equitable first contract. 

We look forward to setting future bargaining dates and expect to be back at the bargaining table soon. 

Remember, if you haven’t voted, please take a minute to sign a strike pledge card and attend a strike education meeting so you can better understand what it means to strike! 

In Solidarity, Your Support Services Bargaining Team: Necole Moore, EVS; KayCee Grimm, Lab; Kim Jorgenson, ED HUC; Aaron Green, Kitchen; Laura Norton, Endo Tech

Strike Education Meeting *TOMORROW!

Wednesday, June 23 

6:00PM

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