On Wednesday July 29, USW Local 7600 Union Members voted overwhelmingly to accept the 2015 Tentative National Bargaining Agreement with healthcare giant, Kaiser Permanente, KP.
The voting was held at the Steelworker Auditorium (Lewis Library) in Fontana California. In addition to Voting, 3 Presentations were held throughout the day giving USW Local 7600 members the opportunity to learn about specifics of the agreement and ask any questions they may have. The Presentations were hosted by Interim President Janis Thorn and included discussions on the 3 Bargaining Subcommittees (Total Health and Work Place Safety, Work of the Future and Operational and Service Excellence in Partnership) and Economics which was presented by Bill Rouse from UNAC/UHCP and included an in-depth discussion on Retiree Medical. Members at the 12:00 p.m. presentations were greeted by Fontana City Mayor Acquanetta Warren who congratulated Local 7600 on the new agreement and gave an inspiring message to all in attendance.
Once the agreement is ratified by the other local unions in the Coalition, it will go to Kaiser Permanente senior leadership for its approval. The new National Agreement will be the largest private sector union agreement to be negotiated this year.