January 13, 2023 Update:
All bargaining unit employees shall receive $1.37 per hour in addition to their base wage plus any applicable differentials for every hour worked between January 1, 2023 – July 1, 2023.
July 22, 2022 Update: Starting on July 1, all bargaining unit employees should have received a raise. Additionally, we will continue to receive Hazard Pay at a newly negotiated rate for all hours worked July 1 – December 31, 2022.
April 11, 2022 Update: All bargaining unit employees shall receive $2.41 per hour in addition to their base wage plus any applicable differentials for every hour worked between April 1. 2022 – June 30, 2022.
You can read the latest MOU here.
January 26, 2022 Update: First Choice APs will get a $2.41 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked between January 1 and March 31, 2022.
You can read the latest MOU here.
August 10, 2021 Update: First Choice APs will get a $2.54 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked between July 1 and December 31, 2021.
You can read the latest MOU here.
April 5, 2021 Update: First Choice APs will get a $2.54 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked in April, May, and June 2021.
You can read the latest MOU here.
January 25, 2021 Update: First Choice APs will get a $2.54 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked in January, February, and March 2021.
You can read the latest MOU here.
First Choice APs are also in the 1A priority group for getting the COVID-19 vaccine because of our advocacy as a Union.
August 13, 2020 Update: We have exciting news for First Choice caregivers. Our bargaining team has been working to reach an agreement with First Choice about extending Hazard Pay – and thanks to workers raising their voices, we have made it happen!
Hazard pay: First Choice APs will now get a $2.75 increase to your base wages for all hours worked in July, August, and September. You’ll see your hazard pay for hours you already worked in your September 1 paycheck.
PPE: You will continue to be provided with all the necessary PPE for caring for all your clients.
You can read the latest MOU here.
Through impact bargaining, First Choice caregivers have won:
- Hazard Pay: First Choice APs will receive an additional $3.50 an hour for every hour worked in May and June. We are all on the front lines, so all First Choice APs will receive this pay regardless if you are caring for a client with COVID-19.
- More PPE: First Choice has committed to spending $166,000 to provide PPE and supplies intended to protect workers, including one-time use N-95 masks, gowns, and gloves for caring for test-positive clients.
- Healthcare and Training: First Choice is increasing their hourly contribution rate to the Training Partnership and Health Benefits Trust for all hours worked in May and June, so no one loses healthcare coverage.
See the full MOU here.
Despite the State facing a growing budget deficit as a result of the pandemic, Governor Inslee agreed to increase funding for home care agencies like First Choice in order to provide this immediate support to caregivers. This was all made possible because of caregivers like you sending letters, signing petitions, sharing your stories, and so much more to demand the Legislature prioritize caregivers to receive Federal stimulus money.
Standing together got us to this point, we need to keep this up to make sure that caregivers are treated as the essential professionals they are.