Seattle members ratify historic 2022 contract!
The PROTEC17 Seattle Bargaining Team reached a tentative agreement (TA) with the City of Seattle in late November, and members voted to ratify the agreement on Dec. 10. The deal was historic because the team came to an agreement after just two sessions with the City – an all-time record!
Highlights of the one-year agreement include: a 4% Cost of living adjustment (COLA); two new paid City holidays – Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples Day; a centralized and standardized Sick Leave Donation Program across all City departments; a pilot program that will allow employees to use leave banks to supplement the State Paid Family and Medical Leave to allow for full wage replacement; stronger telework language and access to telework benefits for temporary employees. Thanks to the PROTEC17 bargaining team – Loretta Alake, Rachael Brooks, Joey Bullock, Belinda Chin, Arabella Corcoro, Walker Dodson, Ulysses Hillard, Aimee Kimball, Jennifer Pierce, Fernando Platin, Amy Reichenbach, and Fabienne Zwerling – for their tremendous work!
Spokane County members win big in 2021-2023 contract!
Spokane County PROTEC17 members (pictured in a virtual Chapter meeting) ratified their 2021-23 contract in late October, with highlights including: a 2.58% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2022, a 2.0% COLA for 2023, and a COLA-equivalent lump sum for both years for any Y-rated employee; a 5% wage increase for all PROTEC17 members on January 1, 2022; a $500 union bonus for voting to approve the contract before Nov. 1; two additional paid holidays (MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth); and an increase in standby pay to $4.25/hour. Thanks to the bargaining team (Colin Depner, Allen Berry, Doug Morton, Kerry Jacobson, Bryan Petersen, and Kevan McClarty) for a job well done!
King County Coalition of Unions reaches TA – voting to come after ‘small table’ bargaining
In late October, the King County Coalition of Unions bargaining team reached a tentative agreement (TA) with King County on the Coalition Labor Agreement (CLA). This major milestone comes after over a year of negotiations. The CLA (formerly known as the Master Labor Agreement) sets broad wage & working conditions for all members of the union coalition. The agreement includes a general wage increase of 1.5% for 2021 (with retroactivity), 3% for 2022, 3% for 2023, and 3% for 2024 for a total 10.5% over the life of the contract. It also includes the largest ever ‘Union Bonus’ reflecting the heroic efforts of our members during the pandemic. Two additional paid holidays – Juneteenth and Indigenous People’s Day – will also be added to the contract. And in a big win for equity and fairness, automatic step increases will not require minimum merit or performance scores, which are often biased. PROTEC17’s ‘small-table’ bargaining teams continue to bargain the Appendix Agreements for each bargaining unit. Once tentative agreements are reached at the small tables, King County members will be able to review the all items before the Chapter-wide ratification vote, likely early in 2022.
Chelan-Douglas and Yakima Health members for the contract win!
More PROTEC17 members in Eastern Washington won big at the bargaining table this year! At Chelan Douglas Health District, members secured a 3.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2022, as well as additional market adjustments between 2-4% for all members! This came after a heartfelt campaign of members sharing their personal stories of working during the pandemic.
In Yakima, members won a 4% COLA for 2022, plus a new COLA formula for the future that will result in higher COLAs. They also won two new paid holidays – Juneteenth and Christmas Eve – and expanded bereavement leave. Plus, part-time employees now get full benefits. Congratulations to both bargaining teams and all members for standing strong!
Kitsap Health and Whatcom Co. reach TAs – voting to continue through early January!
Both Kitsap Public Health District and Whatcom County wrapped up contract negotiations in mid-December, and have sent the tentative agreements out to the membership for a vote. If you are a Kitsap Health or Whatcom County member and haven’t voted yet, please check your peronal emails for the ballot links!
Highlights of the 2022-23 Whatcom agreement include a 3% COLA starting the first pay period of 2022, and a $1,000 lump sum payment on April 1, 2022, among other wins. At Kitsap, members secured a 5.5% COLA for 2022 — the biggest COLA seen by any PROTEC17 bargaining unit in over 10 years! The Kitsap ballot will close on Jan. 3, and the Whatcom ballot will close on Jan. 4 – vote today!