Columbia Memorial Hospital Bargaining Update #4
Invest in US!
Our bargaining team was flexible when management asked us to postpone bargaining in March, even though it meant our families’ needs were put on hold!
SEIU Local 49 members continue to show up every day and provide excellent patient care even though management’s actions are showing us that we are not as valued as other CMH employees.
We have been sending CMH a strong message in bargaining, on the units, and in our community that:
Our time away from our families during the night is as valuable as any other member of the care team.
Our expertise in training/on-boarding of new employees is worthy of compensation.
We put our lives on the line during the pandemic to care for our community and those of us who stayed deserve a retention bonus.
We should be able to do more than barely survive on our wages, no matter what role we play at our community hospital.
Management’s response is NOT acceptable:
The wages and differentials they are offering DO NOT compete with PeaceHealth Longview and Ocean Beaches.
We need CMH management to invest in all front-line staff so we can keep our current skilled healthcare members and attract more people to work at CMH so we can provide the quality of patient care our community deserves.
CONTRACT PROPOSAL UPDATES
| April 1, 2024 | $7.00 |
|---|---|
| April 1, 2025 | 6.5% |
| April 1, 2025 | 6.5% |
All hourly pay for all classifications/grades in the bargaining unit the employer agrees to pay retro to April 1, 2024, including but not limited to across-the-boards, differentials, dock/standby call, etc.
CMH Management Proposal
| Job Classification | Current Grade (starting wage rate) | Proposed Grade (starting wage rate) |
|---|---|---|
| Housekeeper, Laundry Aide, and FSW | 4 ($15.08) | 4.5 ($15.52) |
| Cook | 4.5 ($15.52) | 8 ($18.01) |
| FSW/Diet Aide | 4.5 ($15.52) | 6 ($17.03) |
| Surgery Housekeeper | 4.5 ($15.52) | 5 ($15.69) |
| PT Aide | 4.5 ($15.52) | 9 ($18.73) |
| Diet Aide | 5 ($15.69) | 8 ($18.01) |
| Nuc Med, and CT Tech | 6.5 ($32.57) | 6.75 ($35.90) |
| Advanced Rad Tech 2 | 6.75 ($35.90) | 7 ($37.75) |
| Sterile Processing Tech | 9 ($18.73) | 11 ($21.12) |
In addition to these adjustments, the hospital proposed the following across-the-board wage increases:
| Unit | Effective Date | Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Support | April 1, 2024 | $3.00 |
| April 1, 2025 | 2.5% | |
| April 1, 2026 | 2.5% | |
| Professional | April 1, 2024 | 4% |
| April 1, 2025 | 2.5% | |
| April 1, 2026 | 2.5% |
Keep letting CMH management know it’s time to invest in us!
CMH can do better and our community believes so, too! As of today, hundreds of community members have contacted Nicole Williams to say they support SEIU Local 49 members in negotiations and are calling on CMH to do better for our community!
Taking it to the streets
Our bargaining team is clear; it’s time to show management know we are willing to vote for a strike if they don’t come to the table with an acceptable contract offer by our last schedule bargaining session on May 31.
The bargaining team will bring a recommendation of our next steps based on the next few days of bargaining. All members should be present to make this important decision to accept a contract or authorize our bargaining team to call for a strike if needed.
