St. Michael Medical Center RN - Management Rejects All Staffing Proposals at Ninth Bargaining Session

St. Michael Medical Center RN
Management Rejects All Staffing Proposals at Ninth Bargaining Session

On June 12, we met with hospital management for our ninth bargaining session. At our last session, we presented proposals aimed at addressing the ongoing staffing crisis, including:

• $5/hour staffing premium for nurses working below the staffing plan

• $5/hour Charge RN premium for nurses carrying a patient load due to understaffing or working double charge assignments

• Double-time pay for picking up vacant shifts after the schedule is posted

• Incentives for vacant call shifts

• Break relief RNs for all inpatient units—including the OR and Emergency Department

The hospital rejected every single one of these proposals.

When we asked management to explain why they turned down solutions designed by bedside nurses to fix a staffing crisis we live through every day, their response was insulting:

"You are asking for things that we do not think you need."

Let's be clear—hospital executives do not get to decide what nurses need to safely care for patients. Nurses do.

Our patients need more RNs and more support on the floors. The only way to get there is by recruiting and retaining nurses—not just offering flashy sign-on bonuses while ignoring the needs of the people already showing up every day.

Instead of investing in long-term staffing solutions, SMMC is choosing to underpay current staff and reject common-sense incentives. They're prioritizing temporary staff over the stability and experience that long-term nurses bring to the bedside.

SMMC must face the reality: you cannot fix staffing by ignoring the nurses doing the work.

We've made it clear: We need to be competitive—with St. Joseph's, with hospitals across Puget Sound, and even with Seattle, where many Kitsap nurses are now working for better pay and better conditions.

We're awaiting a response from management, and we hope they come back with a counterproposal that reflects what we know is needed—not what they think we can settle for.

Our next bargaining session is June 18. 

Join our CAT Meeting!

June 25
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Bargaining Team: Kim Fraser, Pre-Op; Janice Brown, FBC; Meredith Francisco, Med Surg; Lindsey Gearllach, Obs; Tammy Olson, ICU

Providence St. Peter RN - We're at the Table. Real Solutions Are Not.

On Thursday, June 5, our union bargaining team met with Providence to keep up our fight for better wages, safe staffing, real workplace safety measures, a retirement we can count on, and a strong healthcare plan.

Despite a relatively productive day of discussions on the non-economic sections of our contract, this meeting marked the second session in a row without responses from the employer on our core issues.

Furthermore, management's non-economic proposals still haven't properly addressed some of our key demands. For instance:

• Their proposal on Charge Nurse staffing did not guarantee that our Charge Nurses would be free from a dedicated patient assignment so they can ensure quality patient care and unit safety—without being stretched dangerously thin

• Their workplace safety proposals ignored our demands for emergency distress beacon towers in the parking lot and a weapon detection system in the Emergency Department

• They continued to reject language guaranteeing free on-site parking for nurses at PSPH; which at this time is simply maintenance of current practice

• They refuse to ensure release from work duties for union bargaining team members; essential for ensuring consistent & meaningful representation at the bargaining table

We remain committed to fighting for a contract that recognizes the skill, professionalism, and dedication of every nurse. However, given the serious and ongoing safety concerns facing both staff and patients, we are deeply concerned by Providence's refusal to engage meaningfully with these proposals. We feel that these solutions are not just reasonable—they are necessary.

Lastly, despite a productive day of discussions with Providence on the non-economic sections of our contract, June 5 now marks the second session in a row without responses from the employer on our wages, safe staffing language, or retirement & health plan proposals.

We continue pushing for meaningful progress on the issues that matter most: safe staffing, real workplace safety measures, strong union rights, and protections that reflect the work we do every day. We remain committed to fighting for a contract that recognizes the skill, professionalism, and dedication of every nurse.

Your bargaining team: Mary Bloomberg, Surgical Acute RN; Haley Sweet, Neurology RN; Jacob Kostecka, PACU RN; Kelly Williams, Inpatient Psychiatry RN; Melanie Oakes, ED RN; Darlett Holm, SADU West RN; Andy Dusablon, PACU RN; Grace Kraege, ED RN; Julia Douglas, Sepsis RN; Ashley McBride, L&D RN Not Pictured: Mike Staley, SADU RN

Contract Action Meeting (CAT)

June 12, 2025
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
In Person: 906 Columbia St SW STE 330 Olympia WA 98502

Providence Mt. Carmel RN - Our Bargaining Team Met Strong Resistance from Providence the First Two Days of Bargaining

We just completed our first two days of negotiations with Providence. Our bargaining team came ready to bargain and gave a complete comprehensive proposal to Providence that included:

• Market wage increases that are competitive with Spokane Holy Family and will help us retain and recruit nurses to serve our rural community

• Paid education days like other Providence Hospitals

• Supplemental scheduling

• Premiums for nurses who are unable to move to newly awarded positions because Providence hasn't resolved their staffing crisis

• Sleep area for call staff required to stay on premises

• And more!

These sessions were not just hard; they were frustrating and at times deeply uncomfortable. Providence's attorney created an environment that made members of our team feel dismissed and disrespected. It quickly became clear that Providence doesn't see rural hospitals as deserving of the same standards or respect as our peers in urban hospitals.

"We walked away from the table deflated and discouraged. We don't feel like their attorney came prepared to bargain in good faith. We are hoping when we get back to the table it will be different. Now is the time to RALLY together, we must be prepared just in case it's not."

— Our bargaining team

We asked Providence for additional dates through the next few months; however, management claims they are only available to meet in person again on July 29, 30, and 31. Our bargaining team finds it difficult to believe that Providence is not available until the end of July, and this delay feels like a tactic to frustrate progress at the table.

Please watch for additional information on how you can get involved in fighting for a fair contract we all deserve.

United we stand, divided we beg.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our bargaining team or the Union Representative Lenaya Wilhelm at 509-340-7369.

Bargaining Team: Georgia Davenport, RN; Rebecca Landers, RN; Laura Swanson, RN

St. Michael Medical Center RN - Bargaining Update

This Wednesday, May 21 our bargaining team met with leadership of Saint Michael Medical Center for what was our eighth bargaining session.

In the morning we presented ideas on how we might come to agreement on major outstanding economic issues, including:

• Staffing

• Charge Nurse duties

• Mandatory Call

• Open Call

• Break relief shifts

While we caucused after this, we began the process of crafting our next set of other economic items not addressed above such as wages and premium pay.

In the afternoon, management responded on the outstanding non-economic issues we do not have Tentative Agreements on already. This shrinking group of sections of the contract we need to respond to them on includes the Residency Program, precepting, and our proposed workplace violence prevention program.

"We have many Tentative Agreements, but we are still hoping for some more movement from management on major economic issues."

— Lindsay Gearrllach (OBS)

We're asking everyone to start wearing gold and blue UFCW 3000 swag on bargaining days! We'll be distributing bandanas and other items to show unity and solidarity.

Next Bargaining Dates

• June 12

• June 18

• June 26

Strike Pledge Card

If you haven't already, sign our Strike Pledge Card! >>

Contract Update Meeting

May 27
7:00 PM

If you are not receiving our bargaining updates or emails, please Update Your Information! >>

Bargaining Team: Kim Fraser, Pre-Op; Janice Brown, FBC; Meredith Francisco, Med Surg; Lindsey Gearllach, Obs; Tammy Olson, ICU

St. Michael Medical Center RN - Bargaining Update

On Thursday, May 8, our bargaining team returned to negotiations with the hospital and presented a comprehensive set of both economic and non-economic proposals. We are still apart on elements of our proposed workplace safety language. That said, we were able to tentatively agree on items such as:

• Enhanced new hire orientation language to better support incoming staff

• A shortened review window for per diems—from six months to three months—to assess eligibility for an FTE position

• Clearer language on paycheck errors, ensuring timely resolution

• Refined staffing committee language to align more closely with the staffing law SB 5236

Our economic package proposal was met with some familiar objections, particularly to our pension proposal, which management claimed would strain their ability to provide more significant wage increases. We reiterated that whether we're talking about a pension, a longevity bonus based on years of service, or staffing ratios with associated premium pay, all of these are designed to encourage retention of experienced RNs at SMMC.

We asked management directly: What do you propose to retain RNs?

In response to our proposal allowing RNs to access EIB after eight hours (instead of the current sixteen), management countered with language from the SMMC Professional and Technical Workers' contract that would significantly reduce the total amount of PTO we currently accrue. Their justification? It would allow for first-day use of all sick leave. This is not the trade-off we were looking for.

We're asking everyone to start wearing gold and blue UFCW 3000 swag on bargaining days! We'll be distributing bandanas and other items to show unity and solidarity.

Next bargaining dates

• May 15

• May 21

Sign our Strike Pledge Card >>

Next Contract Action Team Meeting

May 15
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Virtual via Zoom

"We need EVERYONE to sign the dang strike pledge cards to show management we are serious about getting the BEST contract possible!"

— Tammy Olson (ICU)

Bargaining Team: Kim Fraser, Pre-Op; Janice Brown, FBC; Tammy Olson, ICU; Lindsey Gearllach, Obs; Meredith Francisco, Med Surg

St. Michael Medical Center RN - Bargaining update: Join us May 8!

St. Michael Medical Center RN
Bargaining update: Join us May 8!

On May 8, we're heading back to the bargaining table to present our counterproposal in response to the hospital's comprehensive economic and non-economic offer. Unfortunately, the hospital's proposal showed little movement—especially on our staffing priorities. In our response, we'll reinforce the urgent need for real staffing guardrails to protect both nurses and patients.

While we haven't been at the table the past few weeks, we've kept the momentum going in the community. Just recently, the Kitsap Sun reported on our ongoing efforts to win a strong contract.

As we continue bargaining, we need your support to show the hospital that we are united and serious about achieving meaningful change. That's why we're asking everyone to wear UFCW 3000 gear or yellow and blue scrubs to work on May 8. A strong visual message of unity helps build power at the table.

After the May 8 bargaining session, we'll hold a Contract Action Team (CAT) and bargaining update meeting. Please join us to hear the latest and find out how you can stay involved in the fight for better staffing and a fair contract.

Contract Action Team Meeting:
May 8
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Kitsap Sun article >>
Sign our strike pledge card! >>

St. Michael Medical Center RN - Bargaining Update

On April 16, we met with the SMMC management team and received a full counterproposal. While we appreciate that they responded to all of our proposals, the movement they made was minimal—and their responses fall far short of addressing the real priorities nurses have raised.

Our proposals focused on what we know is needed to recruit and retain nurses: safe staffing, competitive wages, and meaningful benefits. Despite the time we've spent explaining the urgent issues we face, the hospital's proposal was disappointing and, in some cases, proposed takeaways.

What SMMC Proposed:

• EIB usage only after two full shifts (our current contract states after 16 hours)

• Health insurance cost split for dependents to be determined solely by the employer

• Break relief coverage assigned to existing staff—not additional hires

• Wage increases: Year 1: 4.5%, Year 2: 2%, Year 3: 2.5%

At the table, management said they value nurses as highly skilled and highly valuable—but their proposals don't reflect that. We made it clear: SMMC is dealing with chronic staffing issues, missed meal breaks, and nurses regularly working above the staffing plan. That's why we proposed stronger staffing committee language and premiums when nurses are forced to work above the plan.

Management questioned the need for additional staffing language and extra pay under these circumstances. But we know why they're necessary: to hold SMMC accountable and ensure safe staffing for patients and nurses.

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for May 8, and we're working thoughtfully on our next counterproposal. We need every nurse's voice and strength at the table—and throughout the hospital hallways!

Let's Keep the Pressure On

If you haven't already, sign the strike pledge card. This doesn't mean we're going on strike, but it does send a powerful message that you are willing to authorize the bargaining team to take that step if needed to win a fair contract and protect patient care.

Encourage your coworkers to sign as well. The more nurses who stand together, the louder our message becomes.

SIGN HERE >>

Contract Action Team Meeting

May 8
7:00 PM
Virtual Meeting via Zoom >>

We'll be holding a Contract Action Team meeting to provide updates and answer any questions.

Stay strong, stay informed, and stay united—we're in this together!

"SMMC management is out of touch with the reality we face at the bedside every day."
— Kim Fraser

Our Union bargaining team: Lindsey Gearllach (Obs), Meredith Francisco (Med Surg), Kim Fraser (Pre-Op), Janice Brown (FBC). Not Pictured: Tammy Olson (ICU).