Finding the seiu-uhw kaiser contract 2024 pdf can feel like a scavenger hunt through a digital maze. One minute you're on a union portal, the next you're staring at a "page not found" error. It’s frustrating because this isn't just some boring corporate document. It’s the blueprint for how 85,000 people get paid and how they're treated at work.
Honestly, the "2024" version people keep looking for is actually part of the massive 2023–2027 National Agreement. It was born out of the largest healthcare strike in U.S. history. If you've been searching for the specific PDF, you're likely looking for the implementation details that kicked in this past year, including those long-awaited raises and the new minimum wage floors.
The Big Pay Bump: 21% is the Magic Number
Let's talk money first. Most workers aren't reading the contract for the "whereas" clauses; they want to know when the direct deposit hits differently. The current agreement locked in a 21% across-the-board raise over the four-year term.
Specifically, the schedule looks like this:
- 6% in October 2023 (retroactive)
- 5% in October 2024 (the one everyone is checking right now)
- 5% in October 2025
- 5% in October 2026
For a lot of folks, that 5% bump in late 2024 was a huge relief. Inflation has been a monster. Getting a guaranteed raise that actually keeps pace with the cost of eggs and rent is rare these days.
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But there’s a catch. Or rather, a nuance. If you’re looking at the seiu-uhw kaiser contract 2024 pdf, you'll see that these raises apply to all regions. In the past, Kaiser tried to push "market-based" raises, which basically meant workers in some areas would get less. The union fought that and won a unified raise structure.
The $25 Minimum Wage Reality Check
One of the most talked-about parts of the new deal is the minimum wage. It’s a multi-step climb.
In California, the contract (and state law SB 525) pushed the floor to $23 an hour in June 2024. It goes up to $24 in 2025 and finally hits $25 in June 2026. Outside of California, the floor is slightly lower but still climbing, starting at $21 in mid-2024.
Why does this matter? Because it forces the entire industry to keep up. When the person cleaning the hospital rooms or filing the charts makes a living wage, it's harder for other hospital systems to underpay their staff. It’s basically a "rising tide" situation.
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Staffing, Registry, and the "Hidden" Wins
If you dig into the actual text of the seiu-uhw kaiser contract 2024 pdf, you'll find some interesting stuff about "registry" workers. You know, the travelers who come in, get paid double what the staff makes, and don't know where the supply closet is?
The new contract actually commits Kaiser to reducing the use of registry and travelers.
Kaiser and the union agreed to a "joint staffing process." By August 2025, every Unit-Based Team (UBT) is supposed to have a seat at the table to discuss budgeting and staffing models. It sounds like corporate jargon, but it basically means the people actually doing the work get to tell management, "Hey, we're drowning here, hire more people."
They also threw a bunch of money at training. We're talking a 40% increase in the Education Fund. If you’re an MA wanting to become an LVN, there’s now a clearer, better-funded path to get there without going broke.
The Performance Sharing Plan (PSP) Payouts
The 2024 PSP payout was a big point of contention. In the new contract, there’s a guaranteed minimum payout.
- If Kaiser misses financial goals: You can still get up to $1,200 if the labor goals (like attendance or patient satisfaction) are met.
- If Kaiser hits the jackpot: The payout can go as high as $3,750.
The 2023 PSP, which was paid out in March 2024, had a guaranteed minimum of $1,500 for eligible full-time workers. That was a one-time "thank you for not quitting during the pandemic" kind of deal. Going forward, the formula is more structured, but having that floor is a massive win compared to previous years where a bad financial quarter for Kaiser could wipe out your whole bonus.
What Most People Get Wrong About the PDF
People often think the "contract" is one single document. It’s actually more like a sandwich.
- The National Agreement: This covers the big stuff like raises, pensions, and the Labor Management Partnership.
- The Local Agreement: This is the specific stuff for SEIU-UHW West. It covers things like shift differentials and local grievance procedures.
- Side Letters: These are the "fine print" additions that cover things like remote work rights and outsourcing protections.
Speaking of remote work, if you’re a remote worker and Kaiser wants you back in the office, the seiu-uhw kaiser contract 2024 pdf says they have to give you 60 days' notice and they have to bargain with the union first. They can't just send a "be here Monday" email.
Actionable Steps for Kaiser Workers
If you're covered by this contract, don't just take my word for it. You should have this stuff bookmarked.
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- Check Your Pay Stub: Ensure the 5% raise from October 2024 was actually applied. Mistakes happen in payroll all the time.
- Log into MyUHW: That’s the union’s member portal. It’s usually the only place to get the full, unedited PDF of the local agreement.
- Review Your Tuition Reimbursement: You now have up to $1,000 that can be used specifically for travel for courses and seminars. If you've been wanting to go to a conference, now is the time to look into the paperwork.
- Talk to Your Steward: If your unit is consistently short-staffed, ask about the new "joint staffing" reporting requirements. Use the contract as a tool, not just a paperweight.
The 2024 landscape for Kaiser workers is better than it was two years ago, but a contract is only as good as its enforcement. Keep the PDF handy and make sure management is actually following through on what they signed.