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RTs and Techs uniting to demand an end to short staffing!

 

Our Respiratory Therapists at Kaiser Permanente have been fighting to fix their short staffing crisis by getting market adjustments to address the historically low wages. On October 29th, a number of RTs along with leaders and stewards in the Tech unit met with Human Resources to read a letter and make their demands clear: we need to bring RT wages up to those in other areas covered by the Alliance agreement that have similar costs of living. After telling these members that they would return with a response, Kaiser said it had "no interest" in bargaining over these wages. This answer is

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Rachel Sholtz Photo
We are excited to announce that Rachel Sholtz will be the new Labor Partner for Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center and the ASC, bringing her years of experience to help support our work in the Partnership.
 
With a passion for patient care and almost 20 years of experience, I am a dedicated Registered Nurse committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based healthcare.  I hold a bachelor's in science of nursing from Franciscan University and have specialized in the Operating Room. 
 
Throughout my career, I have worked in diverse healthcare settings, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to
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On November 9th, the Social Committee will be hosting our annual Unity Night at The Aerie at Eagle Landing (10220 SE Causey Ave, Happy Valley) where we will be having a Casino Night, appetizers, and a 50/50 raffle! Food will be provided and an optional cash bar will be available, so show up as you are, invite a friend or family member, and let's make this a night to remember! Our OFNHP colors are red, so wear red and show your union pride! We will be collecting unwrapped children's gifts for Presents from Partners to be distributed this holiday season.

•This event is 18 and over.

Let us know if
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The White House has recently announced that an additional $4.5 billion in student loan debt relief is available that will affect about 60,000 workers across the country. They are accomplishing this massive feat by updating the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, bringing the total amount of debt foregiveness to over $175 billion for nearly five million people. But if we consider the PSLF then that number climes by an astounding $74 billion for a million of us. 

Many of our members are eligible to student debt relief with the PSLF, which provides debt relief after a set period of

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Workers rallying

Nearly 200 employees from the Technical bargaining unit at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon ratified their next union contract that will establish conditions for workers and ensure continuity of care in Bend. 100% of those workers who voted chose to ratify this contract, signifying a universal level of support for the agreement. These healthcare workers, who are members of the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP, AFT Local 5017), were fighting over issues like living wages and a voice on the job.

 

"The ratification of our new contract is a positive step forward

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Hurricane Milton has battered the southeastern United States, leaving 3 million people without power and millions more displaced. Families in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and other states were already struggling to rebuild and recover from Hurricane Helene just weeks before, and now many of them face even more devastation.

We’ve been on the phone with our locals and state leaders in the affected areas, and we know that families need a helping hand. That’s why we’re opening our Disaster Relief Fund for those who have been affected by the hurricanes. We sent thousands of dollars last week due
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During yesterday’s negotiations with Labcorp we offered a framework for addressing the downsizing at Central Lab. Our primary objective is for everyone impacted by these changes to be offered an equivalent position, on the same shift and with the same pay.

Our proposal is intended to ensure that our members do not have to apply for positions and would be offered positions at OFNHP-represented locations, as well as at Halsey, based on seniority. We also affirmed our position on severance for those employees who do not secure one of these equivalent positions or choose to accept alternative

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Tim Walz signs at the DNC.

The 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) was held in Chicago, Illinois, a historic center of the labor movement in the United States. The Oregon Delegation, consisting of 78 members, included 20 union representatives from 13 different unions, many affiliated with the Oregon AFL-CIO. Among the delegates was our very own OFNHP AFT 5017 member April Milan, a Physical Therapist at Sunnyside Medical Center and active member of our PEAC. 

When not attending the convention’s remarkable speeches from Democratic leaders, Oregon delegates engaged in organizing efforts with prominent figures such as

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This is a holiday toy drive!

To OFNHP Board, Leadership, ad Union Members,


I hope this message finds you well. With the holiday season approaching, we are seeking your invaluable support for our Present from Partners program. This initiative is dedicated to providing essential assistance to union members in need during this special time of year.
At the core of our mission is solidarity. We are committed to standing by our union families, offering support in their most challenging times, and ensuring they know they are not alone. This commitment exemplifies the essence of the union: uniting to face challenges together within

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St. Charles picket with many union signs, including one that says Contract Now!

We are so excited to share the news that we have come to a tentative agreement (TA) with the employer for our new collective bargaining agreement!

After months of tough negotiations and escalating collective action—including most recently our informational picket at the hospital—we've finally made the improvements we need in our work and compensation, including:

  • A step and grade compensation structure so we know our annual wage increases year after year;

  • Increased night shift differential;

  • Strong successorship language giving us rights in case St Charles is bought by another health system;

  • Fair

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