In 2023, LPNs at Avamere made history by winning their first union contract! This is the first group of LPNs EVER to win a union contract in Oregon’s nursing home industry.
Nursing home leaders achieved a goal that nursing home union members have fought for for years; an actual career ladder at Avamere from an entry level unlicensed caregiver to specialized LPN positions under one contract.
Hundreds of LPNs are now part of our union family and have full access to union rights and benefits, such as drastically improved (and cheaper) healthcare, extra shift and longevity bonus and groundbreaking safety protections that are the strongest we know of in any union contract anywhere.
In a huge win for equity in the workplace, LPNs now have a wage scale where all workers will have their full licensed years of LPN experience counted. Currently, there are many Avamere LPSs, nearly all women, not only being paid far less than what they are worth, but also paid less than new hires. Marci, a member of the Avamere LPN bargaining team, has 16 years of experience, but was paid nearly the same as a brand new nurse. Once ratified, the new contract will move Marci to Step 15 of the wage scale, from $39 to $46.66 an hour. Read more examples of how LPNs will be placed on the new wage scale.
“Bargaining a contract gave us a stronger collective voice. Fair wage increases and safe staffing ratios were at the top of our list for negotiations with corporate. Patients over profits!”
—Willow Barry, Laurelhurst Village
“Joining the union was a very positive and hopeful experience. My passion for nursing inspired my desire to innovate and problem-solve nursing challenges and create a safe workplace.”
—Erin Otey, Avamere Rehabilitation of Oregon City
“I joined the union for a better quality of work life for all nurses.”
—Tiffany Ekerson, The Pearl at Kruse Way
“Forming a union gave us a way to fight for fair wages and union protections when we bargain our contract.”
—Alina Peñaloza, Salem Transitional Care
Congratulations to the Avamere LPN bargaining team and to all LPNs, who stuck together and took action to win this ground-breaking contract!
Download the full contract that covers all Avamere caregivers, now including LPNs!
Key economic highlights:
- Average raise (%): 9.2%
- Average raise ($): $3.43 per hour
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- Full-time equivalent of more than $7,134 per year
- One in five LPNs will receive more than a 15% raise
- Average raise for workers with more than 10 years of licensed experience: 12.7%
- Average raise for workers in rural facilities: 10.4%
- Largest raise (%): 32.5%
- Largest raise ($): $10.66 per hour
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- Full-time equivalent of more than $22,172 per year
Affordable quality healthcare
Depending on where you live, workers may have a choice of two programs: an HMO program with Kaiser Permanente, or traditional coverage with Regence PPO and OptumRx networks.
The new plans are low-cost: Worker only is $35/month, worker plus spouse is $70/month, or your entire family including all dependents under the age of 26 for $105 a month. The best part? The plans cover 90% of your health care costs.
Read more about the plan at https://essentialworkerhealth.org
If you have questions, contact EssentialWorker@RISEpartnership.com
Average raises by facility:
| Facility name |
Average Percent Increase |
| Avamere Rehabilitation of Eugene |
17.8% |
| Avamere Rehabilitation of Junction City |
13.6% |
| Avamere Rehabilitation of Coos Bay |
13.4% |
| Avamere Rehabilitation of Lebanon |
13.1% |
| Avamere Riverpark of Eugene |
12.8% |
| Avamere Rehabilitation of Newport |
12.5% |
| Avamere Court at Keizer |
11.7% |
| The Pearl at Kruse Way |
9.5% |
| Avamere Rehabilitation of Clackamas |
8.3% |
| Laurelhurst Village |
7.8% |
| Salem Transitional Care |
7.4% |
| Avamere Rehabilitation of Oregon City |
7.4% |
| Avamere Rehabilitation of King City |
7.4% |
| Avamere Transitional Care at Sunnyside |
7.3% |
| Avamere at Three Fountains/Waterford |
7.2% |
| Avamere Rehabilitation of Hillsboro |
6.9% |
| Avamere Crestview of Portland |
6.7% |
| Ohana-Harmony House/Bend Transitional Care |
6.0% |
| Avamere Rehabilitation of Beaverton |
5.9% |
| Avamere Rehabilitation of Rogue Valley (Avamere Health Services of Rogue Valley) |
5.4% |
| Grand Total |
9.2% |
Wage scale placement examples
New Hire
|
 |
An LPN with less than a year of licensed experience in Oregon and less than a year of seniority at Avamere is currently being paid $33 dollars an hour. As of ratification, the LPN would move to step 0, $34.25 per hour. |
16 years experience: Marci
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Marci McWilliams has more than 16 years of licensed experience and currently receives $39.00 per hour as a charge nurse. Based on seniority, Marci would be placed on the top step of the scale (Step 15) at $46.66 per hour. |
Less than one year experience, middle of scale: Lisa
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 |
Lisa Pasiechnik has less than a year of licensed experience and currently receives $38.62 per hour as a charge nurse. Based on seniority, Lisa would be placed on the bottom step of the scale (Step 0) at $34.25 per hour. To ensure a minimum raise of 3% and step placement, Lisa moves to the next closest step on the scale that guarantees at least a 3% raise ($1.16) from Lisa’s current pay ($38.62): Step 7 at $40.32 per hour. |
One year experience, step 1:
|
 |
Worker has one year of licensed experience and currently receives $35.00 per hour as a charge nurse. Based on seniority, They would be placed on Step 1 at $35.11 per hour. To ensure a minimum raise of 3% and step placement, they move to the next closest step on the scale that guarantees at least a 3% raise ($1.05) from their current pay ($35.00): Step 3 at $36.88 per hour. |
33 years experience, over scale, Charlene
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 |
Charlene Carey has 33 years of licensed experience and receives $47.00 per hour as a charge nurse. Based on seniority, Charlene would be placed on the top step of the scale (Step 15) at $46.66 per hour. Because no step high enough exists to guarantee a minimum raise of 3%, Charlene receives a flat 3% from their current pay (+$1.41) and remains over-scale. |
Are you an LPN still working non-union? You can change that! Contact an organizer today.
