Your Workplace Updates

Sea Mar – Bringing Priorities to the Bargaining Table

Message to OPEIU Local 8 members at Sea Mar Community Health Centers sent March 9, 2026 –

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Our bargaining team is in charge of bringing our top priorities to the table during negotiations. The team represents a diverse and wide-ranging group of workers who are leading issue experts on the work we do every day. They are ready to deliver our message to management: Sea Mar cannot function without us — the frontline staff.

Our bargaining proposals will bring meaningful changes to our workplace, including improvements to staff recruitment/retention and better pay.

We began bargaining with management last week. To protect the integrity of negotiations, we won’t be sharing detailed updates in writing yet, but we strongly encourage everyone to attend our weekly meetings to hear directly from the bargaining team and union staff about how things are progressing.

THURSDAY MEETINGS
WEEKLY BARGAINING UPDATES

Negotiating our next SMCHC and OPEIU Local 8 contract

Next: Thursday, March 12, at 6 pm

Check your email or contact your Union Rep for the Zoom link to join.

Our bargaining priorities are clear:

  • Wages and benefits that provide for us and our families and help recruit and retain staff;
  • Better staffing levels to ensure we are rested, get breaks, and can properly serve our clients and patients;
  • Fixing our payroll and other broken systems;
  • Respect and equitable treatment for all Sea Mar employees.

Everyone is invited to join us for bargaining updates and discussion every Thursday. All of us have a direct voice in bargaining. So, we’re asking SMCHC Union members to stay involved by:

  • Talking with your coworkers on the Bargaining Team and Contract Action Team (CAT).
  • Joining us Thursdays at 6 pm for bargaining updates and to learn about the steps or actions we’re taking as a group to win improvements.
  • Making sure you and your coworkers are in the loop:
    • If you’ve recently moved or updated your contact info, click here.
    • Re-subscribe to email updates if you opted out. This has to be done manually, as opting out blocks all emails from us. Email julia@opeiu8.org to resubscribe for email updates.
  • Follow us on Instagram (@opeiulocal8) or connect on Facebook (OPEIU Local 8).
  • Check our website – www.opeiu8.org – for workplace/employer and general union updates.

Recently, some members did not receive the link to vote on the bargaining committee because we didn’t have their info or they blocked OPEIU Local 8 emails. Make sure we have your correct info or that you resubscribe. It’s better to delete an email that doesn’t interest you rather than opt out of emails altogether.

We hope to see you on Thursday at 6. Solidarity always!