March 21, 2023 Update: KWA APs will get a $1.45 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked from January 1 through June 30, 2023. We’ll also receive an additional $1 of targeted Hazard Pay per hour if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client.
September 5, 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.
February 23, 2022 Update: KWA APs will get a $2.38 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked from January 1 through March 31, 2022. We’ll also receive an additional $1 of targeted Hazard Pay per hour if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client.
You can read the latest MOU here.
September 8, 2021 Update: KWA APs will get a $2.55 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked from July 1 through December 31, 2021. We’ll also receive an additional $1 of targeted Hazard Pay per hour if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client.
You can read the latest MOU here.
April 2, 2021 Update: KWA APs will get a $2.55 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked in April, May, and June 2021. We’ll also receive an additional $1 of targeted Hazard Pay per hour if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client.
You can read the latest MOU here.
February 5, 2021 Update: KWA APs will get a $2.55 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked in January, February, and March 2021. We’ll also receive an additional $1 of targeted Hazard Pay per hour if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client.
You can read the latest MOU here.
KWA APs are also in the 1A priority group for getting the COVID-19 vaccine because of our advocacy as a Union.
August 21, 2020 update: We have exciting news for KWA caregivers. Our bargaining team has been working to reach an agreement with KWA about extending Hazard Pay – and thanks to workers raising their voices, we have made it happen!
Hazard pay: KWA APs will now get a $2.73 increase to your base wages for all hours worked in July, August, and September. You’ll also receive an additional $1 an hour of targeted hazard pay if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client. You’ll see your hazard pay for hours you already worked in your August 31 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, KWA caregivers have won:
- Hazard Pay: KWA APs will receive an additional $3.15 an hour for every hour worked in May and June. We are all on the front lines, so all KWA APs will receive this pay, regardless if you are caring for a client with COVID-19. And you’ll get an additional $1 targeted-hazard pay per hour for taking care of COVID-19 test-positive clients.
- More PPE: KWA has committed to spending additional funds 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: KWA 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 KWA 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.