Press Release

View photos from the event here.

Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), representing more than 1,200 nurses at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) took to the streets outside the Hospital to voice their concerns for safe patient care as contract negotiations have stalled with mediation pending.

"The UWMC is one of the best hospitals in the Pacific Northwest, and is a leader in health care in the Seattle area. To remain the best, we MUST continue to attract and keep the best Registered Nurses available. I am aware that there is a national shortage of Registered Nurses to care for our patients. The RNs at UWMC are united in our goal of outstanding patient care, safe working conditions and a good quality of life for the nurses and patients at UWMC. We want to reach a respectful agreement that reflects the value of RNs at UWMC so we may continue providing celebrated and unparalleled care for our patients at the only Magnet Hospital in the State of Washington," said Steve Krauss, RN, CNOR, WSNA Local Unit Chair for UWMC Registered Nurses. The outstanding issues include:

• Rest between Shifts - The Hospital’s proposal to reduce the time of rest between shifts places both patient care and RN safety in jeopardy. Research studies confirm that the amount of time nurses receive between shifts is directly linked to an increase in negative patient outcomes. Any attempt to reduce the time of rest between shifts for RNs is simply irresponsible.
  
• Economic Package - In order to recruit and retain qualified nurses in this time of a shortage of nurses, we must have a competitive economic package that is consistent with hospitals throughout the region and the State. UWMC’s current wages are 8% below other Seattle area hospitals. Its latest proposal of 4% over the next 2 years is simply not competitive.
  
• Changes in Benefits - Proposed changes by the Hospital will greatly reduce the nurses’ ability to take time off including time off to care for sick family members. Nurses simply want to maintain the current level of benefits and are not demanding anything additional.
  

"The intention of the hospital to reduce rest time for nurses defies research demonstrating inadequate rest is unsafe for nurses and patients. The average nurse is 47 years old, this simply does not make sense. It’s bewildering to me that UWMC, the only Magnet Hospital recognized for excellence in Nursing Practice in our State, would be so short sighted as not to invest in the its core nursing staff by paying nearly $1 million dollars in 2007 for agency nursing staff instead of competitive salaries in this severe nursing shortage," said Barbara Frye, RN, WSNA Director of Labor Relations.