Members of UFCW Local 21 who are employed at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett in Everett, Wash., secured better wages in new contracts ratified on Feb. 2. These 650 workers are employed in professional and technical positions in vascular ultrasound, respiratory, diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, medical lab, case management, and as dieticians. Also included are ED crisis counselors, who joined the union with this contract.
The three-year agreements include robust across-the-board wage increases, many market adjustments, and improvements to step progression on the wage scales with no takeaways. These contracts retained workers’ existing paid leave programs, and also included new language governing the hospital’s responsibilities during public health emergencies, preparing the workplace to safely weather the next pandemic or a similar crisis.
“This 2022 contract was a huge success for our members and the hospital,” said Maria Goodall, who is a vascular ultrasound technician and served on the bargaining team. “We negotiated record-breaking wage increases to the second half of our wage scale to retain and recruit senior techs. We improved our education funds for maintaining continuing education credits, and we negotiated market adjustments to many groups that were significantly behind other facilities in our region.”
“The last three contracts I have witnessed have been very difficult, and we worked very hard to hold on to basic benefits and keep up with our competitors so we can recruit quality staff and retain current members,” Goodall added. “Safe staffing and fair wages are always on the top of our list. The financial gains on this contract are a huge win for the staff and community we serve.”