1,100 ratify contract with Tri-Cities hospital after strike. Some were the lowest paid

Kadlec Regional Medical Center’s 1,100 technical and service workers in Richland have a new contract after striking for a week in August.

Service Employees International Union Healthcare 1199NW announced on social media that the workers at Kadlec hospital in Richland and its free-standing emergency room in Kennewick ratified a new contract Oct. 28.

The workers secured an agreement that ensured equitable wages and creates a brighter future for low-wage workers, many of whom are people of color, including Hispanics, and from immigrant communities, the union said.

Wages were the key issue in negotiations and under the new contract, all workers in the SEIU will make at least $20 a hour by May 2027.

The agreement also includes language ensuring prior experience is credited, a voice for workers in insurance premiums and staffing measures, such as protecting meal and rest periods and a hospital-wide staffing committee.

The agreement includes no reduction in any benefit, the union said

“This milestone not only uplifts those historically marginalized but also models our commitment to racial justice, inclusivity and ensuring that no one is left behind,” the union said.

The union said during negotiations that Kadlec needed to do better for its lowest paid workers.

Union pay increases

Pay increases take effect Dec. 1 and does not include back pay to when the current contract expired at the end of 2023.

“We fought for wages that keep pace with the cost of living in the Tri-Cities, and staffing levels that will make sure we can care for our patients safely,” said Ramona Chalmers, a certified nursing assistant and member of the union bargaining team. “This contract is precisely what ... Kadlec needs to attract and retain top talent.”

According to examples of wage increases provided by SEIU, environmental service technicians such as janitors would see their starting pay increase in December from the minimum wage of $16.28 an hour to $17 and that would increase to $20.25 in May 2027.

Certified nursing assistants also would see an increase from minimum wage now to $19.92 an hour in December and would make $23.17 an hour in May 2027.

Respiratory care practitioners who now start at $29.13 an hour would see pay increase to $35.34 an hour in December and increase to $38.34 in May 2027.

Experienced workers would make higher wages.

The new agreement also includes a bonus of $250 for the lowest paid workers; a bonus across the board of $500 in December; a retention bonus of $750 effective in November 2025; and standby bonuses for workers who are called in.

Kadlec said in a statement Wednesday that it was grateful to reach an agreement that supports its caregivers and the hospital’s mission.

“Kadlec’s commitment from the very first bargaining session over 10 months ago and throughout the bargaining process was to negotiate a fair and market competitive agreement for our caregivers, and that is what we did,” it said. “We remained steadfast to our commitment, bargaining respectfully, professionally and in good faith.”

It pointed out that Kadlec has served the Tri-Cities for 80 years. It values its caregivers and will continue to work together with them to provide safe, compassionate, quality care for patients, it said.

Workers covered by the new contract do not include nurses but those with dozens of other jobs such as:

This story was originally published November 7, 2024 at 9:26 AM.