ABHS

American Behavioral Health Systems (ABHS)

 Graphic: A Contract for Better Care

Congrats! Your 2023-2025 contract has been ratified by the membership. 

Contract Highlights

The AFSCME/WFSE “American Behavioral Health Systems” classified staff contract for the 2023-2025 contract cycle achieves several major goals identified by the bargaining unit as priority items:

  • Christmas Eve as a paid holiday (New)
  • License renewals 100% paid by ABHS
  • An average of $2.50/hour wage increases for Job Classifications making less than $18/hour
  • An additional $0.25 wage increase eff. 7/1/23, if making less than the new starting wage rate
    • Example: if an employee is making $18/hr and the new starting wage is $20/hr, the employee would be moved to $20/hr and receive an additional $0.25; for a new wage rate of $20.25 (before COLA)
  • An additional $0.25 wage increase eff. 7/1/23, if making more than the new starting wage rate
    • Example: if an employee is making $21/hr and the new starting wage is $20/hr, the employee would receive an additional $0.25; for a new wage rate of $21.25 (before COLA)
  • Longevity Pay - $0.25 added to their hourly wage rate at the Anniversary date, for ALL employees      
    • Currently longevity is paid for employees in year(s) – 1, 3, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17 and 20
  • Cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) - Effective 7/1/23, and each year of the Agreement (length of service):
    • 1-Years = 1%
    • 2-Years = 1.5%
    • 3-Years = 2.5%
    • 4-Years = 3%
    • 5-10 Years = 3.5%
    • 10+ Years = 4%
  • MOU – Compensatory Time for working Overtime
    • Begin bargaining as early as 1/1/24, and effective 7/1/24
  • MOU – Wage re-opener regarding pay inequities within any job classifications
    • Begin bargaining as early as 1/1/24, upon request by either WFSE or ABHS
  • Plus, there were notable improvements to other non-economic articles.

Read the full agreement here.

Bargaining Team Members:

Bonnie Spencer
Cindy Martell
Alicia Raygoza
Jeni Flemming
Shauna Loss
Jerry Kalas
Sarah Smith, Labor Advocate
Thomas Wray, Chief Negotiator

Previous Cycle Final Bargaining Update-June 28, 2021

As of July 1 2021, your wages will be updated according to the new wage chart and cost-of-living adjustment, which is based on years of service. Shift premium increases, vacation accruals and other gains will also take effect. 

Solidarity made the difference! 

Thank you to all who participated in the ratification vote, wore WFSE T-shirts and signed letters in support of our bargaining team.

There's more work to do, so stay tuned for more communications to continue to improve staffing levels and health and safety standards at ABHS.

Read the TA Summary 

WE HAVE A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT: FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

Your ABHS Bargaining Team reached a 2021-2023 tentative agreement (TA) that accomplishes the following:

  • Wage increases of 2% to 25% for most job classifications, on average a $2.00 an hour increase.
  • Year 1 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) wage increases based on your years of service as of July 1, 2021:
    • 1.5% for 1 full year of service
    • 2% for 2 full years of service
    • 2.5% for 3 full years of service
    • 3% for 4 full years of service
    • 3.5% for 5 to 10 years of service
    • 4% for 10+ years of service
  • Year 2 COLA wage increases based on your years of service as of July 1, 2022:
    • 1.5% for between 1 and 3 years of service
    • 2% for between 3 and 10 years of service
    • 3% for 10+ years of service
  • Longevity raises of $.50 will be awarded for employees on their anniversary dates for the following years: 1, 3, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20.
  • Across-the-board increase in shift differential pay and addition of NEW $2.00 an hour weekend premium pay
  • Increased employer contribution of healthcare premium for members with dependents
  • Increased vacation hours and NEW vacation cash out option added
  • Discipline files removed after 3 years instead of 5
  • "Corrective plans" not treated as discipline
  • Minimum 5-day notice of shift cancellation due to low census

Read the full TA Summary.

Read the Full TA.

Our solidarity made the difference.

Thank you for wearing your WFSE green union shirts and pins. Thank you for the letters of support for our bargaining team. And thank you for looking out for your coworkers throughout this pandemic.

You made it possible for us to negotiate the strongest possible contract.

CONTRACTS

ABHS Members in Chehalis show their solidarity and proudly sport their 100% Union shirts in support of a strong contract! Pictured L-R: April Byrd, Aaron Ristow, Doreen Bartley, and April Grace

ABHS Members in Chehalis show their solidarity and proudly sport their 100% Union shirts in support of a strong contract!
Pictured L-R: April Byrd, Aaron Ristow, Doreen Bartley, and April Grace