Patriot Bremerton
GLASS ART Local business celebrates two years with tea lights Page 8
FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014 | Vol. 17, No. 18 | WWW.BREMERTONPATRIOT.COM | 50¢
Harrison workers authorize strike
Eighty-eight percent of workers vote to authorize a one-day strike at hospital BY KEVAN MOORE KMOORE@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
Professional and technical workers at Harrison Medical Center overwhelmingly authorized a one-day strike during voting in Bremerton on Tuesday. Officials from UFCW 21, the union representing the more than 700 workers, said 88 percent of those who voted authorized a strike. The union now must give the hospital a 10-day notice before actually striking. The hospital and the union are set to go into mediation June 17 and 18. “The health care workers’ desire is to be able to focus on taking care of patients and having a reasonable conclusion to negotiations with the employer restoring the historic approach to respectful con-
duct,” said UFCW affiliation with 21 spokesman Tom Franciscan Health Geiger. “Workers “I am incredibly System, has taken have taken steps disappointed in a very aggressive repeatedly over the the push to strike and combative last seven months and other strongapproach in bargaining a new conto make their con- arm tactics union cerns clear to mantract with over 700 leaders have used Pro Tech workers.” agement.” In a letter to before our new Contract negotiations between the workers ahead of talks have even hospital and the the vote, Harrison begun.” ProTech workers CEO Scott Bosch began in June 2013 said the hospital – Scott Bosch, and the workers’ is committed to Harrison CEO contract expired negotiating in good faith to reach a fair settlement. in September 2013. Workers “I am incredibly disappoint- voted in March of this year, ed in the push to strike and rejecting a “final” proposal other strong-arm tactics union from Harrison by an 81 perleaders have used before our cent margin. Geiger said that the Seattle new talks have even begun,” Bosch wrote, referring to the office of the National Labor Relations Board, which will not upcoming mediation sessions. Geiger said that the relation- comment publicly about ongoship between Harrison and its ing cases, found that Harrison employees has been relatively broke the law when it demandcivil for decades and contract ed workers to cease a leafleting, negotiations were generally called in police and conducted able to conclude short of a surveillance as well as when it conducted direct bargaining. dispute. Jacquie Goodwill, Harrison’s “Unfortunately, all that changed in 2013,” Geiger director of marketing and said. “Harrison, after the communication, said the union
also violated the law amidst the ongoing negotiations, but was unwilling to say how. “We’re not going there,” she said. “It is counterproductive to the negotiations. We want to keep our doors open and are committed to furthering the conversation in a productive way.” In his letter to workers ahead of the vote, Bosch said union negotiators told a federal mediator that they could agree on much of what Harrison proposed, but only if Harrison dropped its proposal over a no-strike clause. “That clause does not prevent you from striking when your own contract expires and if negotiations come to an impasse,” Bosch wrote. “Similar provisions are commonly found in hospital contracts to protect patient care, and UFCW has agreed to similar provisions at many other hospitals.” Several other issues remain on the table. Workers say that they want a contract that lasts
Port will keep marina consultant another year BY LESLIE KELLY LKELLY@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
Despite not knowing how they’re going to pay for it, an extension of a contract with Marsh Andersen LLC of Bainbridge Island was approved by Bremerton Port commissioners Tuesday. Commissioners voted unanimously to extend the contract with Bob Wise, of Marsh Andersen for another year at a cost of $48,000. Wise has been under contract with the port for the past year as a consultant charged with marketing the Bremerton Marina. Under the terms of the new contract, Wise will market both the Bremerton and the Port Orchard marinas. Port CEO Jim Rothlin told commissioner that it was the
SEE HARRISON STRIKE, A9
SEE MARINA, A9
High school sals and vals take center stage Bremerton’s top students share influences, insights and future plans BY SERAINE PAGE SPAGE@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
Here’s a look at the future goals and aspirations of Bremerton High School’s valedictorians and salutatorians. These four seniors will walk across the stage in tonight’s graduation ceremony set for 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. Valedictorian: Ellie Davis, 17 College: University of Washington Parents: Charlotte and Robert Davis Post high school goals: Pre-dental studies and
possible neurobiology. “I plan on becoming a pediatric dentist in the future.” Influenced by: “I would say I’m most influenced by my older sister. She was salutatorian for her graduating year. And my parents and all of my teachers at Bremerton High School have always been encouraging.” Best memory: “I’ve gone to every high school dance — all of those have been a blast. All the pep assemblies have been the best.” What motivates you? “I’m very motivated by happiness. I want to find my own piece of happiness. I want to do well and find my own corner of the world. For me, that’s been focusing on my academics.”
Courtesy photo
Seraine Page/staff photo
Seraine Page/staff photo
Courtesy photo
Ellie Davis
Kyle Radabah
Anthony Ascensio
Kelli Edwards
Favorite motto: “One time my drill coach told me to ‘remember to take the solos in life.’ I always tried to hide in the shadows. Be proud of who you are.” Best thing I learned in high school: “To be yourself and to find what you’re interested in and
what makes you happy. It all depends on what you want to do.” Valedictorian: Kyle Radabah, 18 Parents: John and Cheryl Radabah College: University of Washington Post high school goals: Mathematics major with
an emphasis on statistics. In f lu e n c e d by : “Definitely my sister, Kara Radabah.” Best memory: “I was voted prom king. It was unexpected for sure.” What motivates you? “Definitely my faith. It’s a really big thing for me. Helps me get through
those late nights of homework, I suppose.” Favorite motto: “This SEE SALS & VALS, A9