Proposals
Union Proposal - June 11, 2026
Employer Proposal (morning) - June 11, 2026
Employer Proposal (afternoon) - June 11, 2026
Union Proposal - May 26, 2026
Employer Proposal - May 26, 2026
Bargaining Updates
CRMC Union Contract Negotiations Update #2 - June 11, 2026
We met with CRMC for the second time on June 11. We began the day by making a proposal in response to what we heard from the employer at the end of the last session. You can find that proposal as well as other proposals exchanged at the bargaining update site HERE.
After a break, we received an updated proposal from the employer. There are two big takeaways from this proposal: Not interested and less than 1%.
Not Interested
The employer's response to most of our substantive proposals was that they are "not interested" in making the changes we proposed. This includes (not an exhaustive list) our proposals to include the current practice of stewards representing coworkers in meetings with management while on work time, clarifying that a 0.9 FTE is "full time," ensuring time and a half pay after 12 hours, preceptor pay for hours spent training new coworkers, increase in retirement contribution, and additional health insurance options. The employer stated that some of our economic proposals (longevity pay, increase in shift differentials, etc) could be agreed to, but doing so would reduce the overall wage adjustments. You can find proposals from the employer at the bargaining site HERE.
Less than 1%
On the bargaining site (LINK) you will find the proposal from the employer on wages. Their proposal is for the first year to be a reworking of the wage grid as a "market adjustment" where they compare every classification to those jobs at other facilities. The comparable data was not made available to us, but the result is that wage adjustments for some people in the first year would be less than 1%. The employer then proposes to have a 2% increase for the second year and a 2% increase in the third year of the contract.
Next Bargaining Session
We meet with CRMC again on June 25. That is the last date we have scheduled, but will be adding additional dates.
Stay tuned and connect with you negotiating team for more information.
CRMC Union Contract Negotiations Update #1 - May 26, 2026
Today, the Union bargaining team held our first bargaining date with CRMC management. Thank you to all members who participated in our survey process and bargaining team elections. Your participation helped us set priorities for bargaining this year! In addition to a fair wage increase, we are pushing to improve a few benefit areas· for members and to address improvements in our contract language around scheduling, training, and layoff procedures.
Our current contract will remain in effect through September 30, giving us plenty of time to work through the issues with management and gather additional member feedback.
We have two dates scheduled next month to continue negotiations: June 11 and 25. Additional dates will be set if necessary.
Between now and June 11 our bargaining team will be circulating petitions so members can show support for proposals to win the highest wage increase possible and achieve improvements to our benefits and other areas of the contract. We ask all members to connect with the bargaining team members in your area to sign the petitions and show your support!!!
Opening Statement -
Good Morning Everyone,
My name is Kim Bakke-Schulte and I’m proud to stand here today as both an MLS and a representative of our SIEU union employees who help make this hospital what it is every single day. I want to thank the management team for being here today, also.
When we talk about the success of this hospital, we often talk about numbers. This past year, our hospital complete more than 11,000 surgeries. That is an incredible accomplishment. But behind every one of those surgeries are people-real people- who make that care possible.
Our union represents 450 employees in this hospital. We are CAN’s housekeepers, dietary staff, maintenance workers, radiology techs, coders, clerks, lab staff, transporters and so many others. We are the people who answer call lights, prepare rooms, clean equipment, transport patients, comfort families, and keep this hospital running 24 hours a day.
The hospital’s reputation is not built by a logo or a building; it is built by the staff who walk through these doors every day and choose to care for this community.
We are the faces patients remember.
We are the voices families hear during difficult moments.
We are the people promoting this hospital every time we provide safe, compassionate, and quality care.
Every successful surgery depends on a team. From the moment a patient arrives until the moment they leave. Union staff are there making sure things happen safely, efficiently and with compassion. The work we do creates the experience patients talk about when they recommend this hospital to friends and family.
Today, we want management to see the people behind the numbers. We want you to see the faces of the employees who support, strengthen and help this hospital succeed financially and operationally every single day. By providing:
Fair compensation: Wages that reflect the rising cost of living and help recruit and retain top-tier talent.
Workplace Dignity: Guaranteeing that healthcare professionals have to access to basic needs like top notch benefit package, uninterrupted breaks and a supportive work environment.
This bargaining process is not just about contracts, it is about respect, recognition, and investment in the people who make this hospital work. We approach these negotiations with a spirit of good faith, transparency and collaboration. We hope this management shares this commitment. Now, I’d like our staff to introduce themselves and tell us about the role they play in making our hospital great.
Bargaining Team
Unit One
EVS Tech: Mike Mueller
Hospital N.A.: Angela Visnovec
Hospital N.A.: Elizabeth Gauerke
OR Materials: E.J. Kesller
Surgery Aid: Brianna Nelson
Surgery Scheduler: Sarah Nelson
Pharmacy Aid: Roxie Hansen
Cook: Denny Kasovia
Unit Two
C.S.T.: Crissy Hanson
C.S.T.: Rose Vikander
Lab Scientist (MLS): Kim Bakke Schulte
LPN Clinic: Cassandra Schliek
Engineer 2: Jared Munson
Rad Tech: Chad Hage
Rad Tech: Candace Christensen
Registered H.I.T. 4: Lisa Hiles
Registered H.I.T. 4: Tammi White
Plant Ops Tech: Joey Decent
Unit 3
Health Info 2: Kathleen Beyer
Claims Analyst: Sherry Habighorst
PAS Scheduler: Diane Scherf