UW – SEIU 1199 Negotiations Recap for October 9, 2017 (Tentative Agreement Reached)
The Harborview (HMC) management team met with SEIU 1199NW for our 22nd bargaining session on October 9. This was the 6th session with a State-appointed mediator. The parties have reached an agreement that the Union will recommend for ratification.
Final Tentative Agreements
BSN Premium – The parties agreed to a BSN premium of $0.50 per hour for HMC, ALNW, and Hall Health beginning July 1, 2018. This was in exchange for the nurses giving up a new pay table top step and foregoing a $0.25 increase to certification pay.
Break Relief – It was important for the Employer to maintain staffing flexibility in the event of a financial downturn. The parties agreed to the following language on break relief in a side letter: “We are committed to the current break relief practices, which includes the current units/floors and break staff model (RN or Alternative). Additionally, we are committed to working through the Nurse Staffing Committee to establish strategies that enable registered nurses to take meal and rest breaks as required by law.” The side letter expires on June 30, 2019.
Standby –The parties reached agreement on an increase to standby pay from $3.00 per hour to $3.75 for two of the Union’s bargaining units, effective July 1, 2018.
Top Steps –The parties reached agreement on adding one additional 2% salary step to the pay tables BE and BS, effective January 1, 2019. On that date, employees who have been at the current top salary step for at least two years would advance to the new top salary step. This was in exchange for the all techs and health care specialists foregoing a $0.25 increase to certification pay.
Ratification Lump Sum – The parties reached agreement on a lump sum payment of $400 for employees in an appointment above .6 FTE and $200 for employees in appointments .6FTE and below.
Next Steps:
The Union will begin its ratification efforts and believes it can ratify the agreement this week. The Employer agrees to support the ratification effort by allowing the Union access to the hospital to conduct the vote and allowing employees a reasonable amount of time to vote if they are unable to vote during their normal break times.