Members of UFCW 21 who are employed in the registered nurse and dietary services units at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton, Washington, ratified new contracts by an overwhelming margin on Dec. 21. Harrison Medical Center is an affiliate of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) Franciscan Health, and UFCW Local 21 represents 2,200 members who are employed by CHI.
The 18-month contract for registered nurses and the three-year contract for dietary and service workers include wage increases and maintain healthcare costs this year and in 2019. The new agreements also include staffing language and successorship rights that are critical due to the recent announcement that CHI will be merging with Dignity Health. Members of the professional technical unit recently reached a tentative agreement and will be voting on their contract on January 17.
UFCW Local 21 members at CHI St. Joseph Medical Center, Regional Hospital, Highline Hospital and Harrison Hospital stood together for months to win strong contracts across the Puget Sound, including leafleting, informational picketing, public hearings and community forums.
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