Valley Medical Center
Some Progress— But Challenges Remain
03/08/10 - After a few sessions that presented many challenges — and a few frustrations — we are finally beginning to see progress in this year’s negotiations with Valley Medical Center.
Health care takes center stage
As we have seen in many bargains — and in Washington, DC — health care benefits are a key issue for union members as well as employers.
One of our goals in bargaining this year was to achieve a contract that maintains the current health, surgical, prescription and dental benefit plans. We’re not there yet, but we believe that achieving this goal is in sight — and with no increased costs to employees over the life of the contract.
As part of the discussions on health care, Management has proposed a wellness plan that we are currently reviewing.
Some progress on wages
Wage negotiations are tough in the current economic climate, but we have made some progress. Although we are not sure of the size of the increases we will be able to negotiate, we are confident that everyone will get increases each year of the contract in addition to the regular step progression.
We are also close to agreement on some of the premium pay items. However, we do not have agreement in all of the economic issues, so none of these near-agreements are completely solidified yet.
Other issues
Several other union proposals remain outstanding, including:
- Continue Valley’s contributions to the pension plan for the duration of the agreement.
- Improve rest-between-shifts language.
- Work through specific issues for employees in Surgery, Respiratory, and Imaging.
What’s Next
We believe we are getting close to a tentative agreement, and hope to soon have an offer we can bring for a vote. However, we’re not there yet, and several key items remain up in the air.
We will keep you informed as negotiations continue. If you have questions, please speak to a member of the union bargaining team, or call Union Representative Erin Adamson at 206-436-6511.
Your Union Bargaining Team:
Sue Butler, Clinics
Beverly Fisher, Respiratory
Debbie Harris, Mammography
Amy Jones, Lab
Phil Medina, Imaging
Linda Wilson, Surgery
Bargaining at Valley Medical Underway
02/23/10
The UFCW 21 Bargaining Committee and Valley Medical Administration met to begin formal bargaining last week. During the first session the Bargaining Committee presented the Employer its language and wage proposals.
The first few bargaining sessions are relatively straight forward as each side tries to understand and collect information regarding the proposals and see if there are areas we can reach agreement on.
Highlights of Our Initial Proposal:
The Bargaining Committee has approached bargaining this time, with some core items that have to be maintained in order to achieve a contract that members can approve.
- Maintain the current Health Care plan with no changes or increase to employees in costs.
- Maintain the current 10% pension contribution by the Employer.
- Market adjustments in wages to classification that have fallen behind the market standard.
- Cost of living increases to all classification, including additional steps and premiums.
- Improve shift scheduling language that may be impacted by the opening of the new tower.
We are early in the bargaining process, and have a number of additional issues that will be addressed as we move forward.
What Happens Next?
We are waiting for the Employer to respond to our opening proposals at our next session to find out if we have any areas of agreement.
Updates will be sent out as needed to keep all members informed as bargaining progresses.
If you have questions about bargaining the Bargaining Committee will be able to keep you informed after each session, but please keep in mind that nothing is final until a tentative agreement is reached. Your Bargaining Committee can help you stay informed and tell you what is fact, and what is fiction. Also, feel free to contact your Union Representative, Erin Adamson at 206-436-6511.
Union Bargaining Team:
Linda Wilson, Surgery; Amy Jones, Lab; Phil Medina, Imaging; Debbie Harris, Mammography; Sue Butler, Clinics; Beverly Fisher, Respiratory
