WE WON’T SETTLE FOR LESS
“We want a better wage and we’re fighting for more.” – Becci G.
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As we shared our stories of struggle and financial hardship, Management stayed silent. We shared about the impact of our low wages; how our families are struggling to afford food; how we don’t have savings. Many of us are one emergency away from homelessness. Far too many of us are facing poverty. Sea Mar can no longer ask us to choose between doing our jobs to help the community and supporting our families.
But they did anyway. Management is holding to a 3% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase. We know it’s not enough. We won’t settle.
“It’s the same rate that we’ve been getting for the last three years,” said Becci Gonzelez, a financial specialist in Vancouver.
Katrina Ondeck, an integration specialist in Bellingham, notes that this rate doesn’t keep up. “I can’t afford to buy what I could a few years ago,” she said, “Wages need to keep up with inflation.”
We’ve been showing Sea Mar that we’re united — and it’s working. Our petition, march on the boss, stickers, and flyers have helped move Management on our proposals. Here are some recent wins:
- Pay for licensure after 4 years of service
- Union members will be included on our Labor Management Committee – which means we will be able to speak directly with executive leadership about the issues in our clinics
- Improved Bereavement Leave (spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, stepparents, stepchildren, sibling, parent’s sibling, child of a sibling, grandchildren or step-grandchildren, and grandparents or step-grandparents and ten (10) additional days will be granted when an employee is required to travel more than 3,000 miles in any one direction to attend services)
- Natural Disaster Leave
Some places we’re still far apart:
- General Wage Increases that recruit and retain staff
- Job Protection against Layoffs and Artificial Intelligence
- Bilingual Differential
- Health & Safety
- Industry Standard Flexibility (for example, if able, work from home, flexible schedules, meal waivers)
Our next sessions are scheduled for Aug. 6, Aug. 11, Aug. 18, Aug. 25, and Sept. 1.
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