Kern Medical Tentative Agreement Reached

After months of intense bargaining with Kern Medical management, we reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) late last week following around-the-clock negotiations. This was only possible because members stood united and firm in demanding solutions to our retention and recruitment priorities within our safety net hospital.

Whether you attended unity breaks, held a protest sign on your break, talked with coworkers about bargaining updates, or signed a strike-ready card, every action showed management that we were ready to do what it took to reach a fair settlement.

This landing pages includes what’s in the TA and what to expect as part of the upcoming ratification vote.

Your SEIU 521 Bargaining Team recommends a YES vote to ratify our TA!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

Wages: 2% increase after ratification, 2% increase in April 2027, 2% increase in April 2028

3 additional steps for all classifications that currently top out at 8 steps, 3 percent each step. Employees will have 11 steps totaling 9 percent if the TA is ratified.

Additional increases for 17 classifications.

Floating Holiday

One-time payment of $1,500 for all full-time employees and $750 for part-time employees for LLC and Kern Medical employees

Less restrictive FMLA requirements to access the Employee Illness Bank (EIB). Instead of filing for FMLA after 3 days of absence to access EIB hours, FMLA doesn’t have to be filed until after the 7^th calendar day after the onset of illness or injury.

Extra Help, Per Diem, and LLC workers are now united in one contract, making our voice stronger at future bargaining tables.

Hospital Staff Nurse bonus focusing on retention of veteran staff

No Takeaways

And much more. Details can be found in the Tentative Agreement

Download the full Tentative Agreement here.

Download a Tentative Agreement Summary here.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE CRITICAL DATES

Ratification: From Thursday, March 12, at 6:00 am through Friday, March 20 at 5:00 pm

TA Education Meetings

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT OR NEED ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE FINDING YOUR E-BALLOT? Our union will be at the following worksites:

Thursday, March 12

Main Hospital, Cafeteria, 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Main Hospital, Cafeteria, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Main Hospital, Cafeteria, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Friday, March 13

Columbus Clinic, 1000 Suite Breakroom, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Colombus Clinic, 2000 Suite Breakroom, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Monday, March 16

Office Park, Breakroom 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
M St, Breakroom, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Lerdo Prison, FTO 4A Staff Break Room, 11:00 AM –1:30 PM

Tuesday, March 17

Main Hospital, Cafeteria, 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Main Hospital, Cafeteria, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Main Hospital, Cafeteria, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Wednesday, March 18

Stockdale Clinics, Suite 100 Breakroom, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Stockdale Clinics, Suite 400 Breakroom, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Jamison Children’s Center, Breakroom 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
2222 19th St., Breakroom, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
1902 B St., Breakroom, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Thursday, March 19

Main Hospital, Cafeteria, 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Main Hospital, Cafeteria, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Main Hospital, Cafeteria, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Kern Crossroads, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Central Receiving Facility, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Camp Erwin Owen, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Friday, March 20

Q St. Clinic, Breakroom 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
34th St Clinic, Breakroom, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Valley Fever Institute, Breakroom, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Reach and Grow, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Heritage Building, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR RATIFICATIONS

METHOD OF VOTING

The ratification vote will be held online via a third-party vendor, Election Buddy. Electronic ballots will be sent to your personal email or cell phone number on file with our union. One vote per member to accept or reject the tentative agreement.

ELIGIBILITY TO CAST A VOTE

Only full dues-paying members are eligible to vote on the offer. If you are not a current member or are unsure, or to avoid receiving a provisional ballot, activate your membership by clicking here.