Kaiser National Agreement Reached – Jul/Aug’10 Voice

July 2010

"In a tough economy, this Agreement is remarkable - it sets a national standard for wage increases and maintenance of all benefits."

- Kathy J. Sackman, RN
UNAC/UHCP President

A new two-year National Agreement was reached between the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions (CKPU) and Kaiser Permanente on May 28 and was approved by the CKPU Delegates Conference on June 12. UNAC/UHCP held member informational meetings the week of June 14 and, at the time this publication went to press, Kaiser members were voting to ratify the new agreement by mail-in ballot. It is expected to be ratified.

The new Agreement provides for 3.5% across-the-board wage increases on October 1 of 2010 and 2011 for UNAC/UHCP-represented RNs, NPs and PAs; an improved wage grid for ODs effective October 1, 2010 and a 3% ATB on October 1, 2011; an enhanced sick leave cash-out option; maintenance of all current benefits; stable funding for workforce development trust funds; and strengthening the Labor Management Partnership, the 13-year agreement under which three national contracts have been bargained using interest-based negotiations.

"The new National Agreement demonstrates that, when the parties stay in the room, speak frankly, respect others and listen to each other, good work happens," said Ken Deitz, RN, UNAC/UHCP Executive Vice President.

The Agreement is the result of many hours of meetings, brainstorming, and caucusing conducted by a 111-member negotiating committee. Similar to the two previous National Agreements, this one also set precedents. "We are proud that, for the first time, we attained one national wage standard for wage increases," said Kathy Sackman, RN, UNAC/UHCP President.