National agreement negotiations are just around the corner and now's the time to start thinking about our current contract, the national agreement, and our future in the 2010 negotiations. While our local contracts do not expire until 2011 for some and 2012 for others, our national agreement expires in 2010. The 2010 negotiations with Kaiser and the Coalition of Unions set the standard for all local union contracts.
We face some big challenges:
A tough economy: Kaiser is projecting that they will lose 100,000 members in 2010.
Lay-off threats: In August Kaiser proposed laying-off 1,298 SEIU-UHW members but because of the national agreement, our union contract, our strength, and our unity, we fought back. Kaiser has now guaranteed they will work with us to find a job for every member. Managers and non-union employees have already experienced lay-offs, benefit cuts, and some suspended bonuses.
Benefit cuts: Kaiser is now making managers pay for their health insurance, based on how much they make and the kind of benefits they have.
Distractions: NUHW's attempts to distract SEIU-UHW members from our important bargaining preparations threaten to make us look weak in front of management, and may put everything we've fought for in jeopardy.
But we have many advantages:
We are all united in SEIU-UHW--50,000 members at more than 60 Kaiser facilities across the state.
As the largest member of the Coalition of KP Unions, we are united and strong--90,000 union members at all Kaiser facilities nationwide.
All members of the Coalition of Unions are united with SEIU-UHW in fighting at national bargaining to ensure we maintain high standards for all Union members
We have a plan to win:
Mobilize to defend our contract against Kaiser's possible takeaways in the next round of bargaining. Kaiser is looking for takeaways, but our unity with our Coalition partners makes us strong.
Protect our priorities: 1) Secure retirement; 2) Industry-leading wages; 3) Fully paid, comprehensive health insurance; and 4) Strong patient care protections.
Engage a larger group of member leaders in our steering committee than ever before. Nominations are happening NOW--we need to make sure every department has a voice at the table.
Step Up and Be Heard. Join the bargaining team!
We need RNs from every department and every shift to make sure we our voice is heard at the bargaining table. Nominations for our member-elected bargaining team are going on NOW. To get involved, contact an SEIU-UHW representative today.
National Bargaining: 2010 Here We Come
DEC. - JAN.: Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions (CKPU); Bargaining team nominations in all units
FEB.: CKPU national survey
MARCH: CKPU delegate assembly
APRIL: Start of national negotiations
The Coalition of KP Unions includes:
- UNAC/UHCP
- SEIU-UHW
- UFCW
- Teamsters
- United Steelworkers
- SEIU Local 49
- Hawaii Nurses Assoc.
- IFPTE
- ILWU
- OPEIU
- Ohio Nurses Assoc.
- OFNHP-AFT
- SEIU Local 105
- KPNAA
- Oregon Nurses Assoc.