Evergreen Healthcare

As you are aware, WSNA and Evergreen are working together to help insure that you get your rest breaks.
 
Please assist WSNA in tracking the effectiveness of implemented changes by filling out the following survey, click here.                                              

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at Sara Frey sfrey@wsna.org.     

Have you been disciplined for an issue related to a consent form?
 
If you have recently received a disciplinary document  (verbal, written or final warning) for an issue related to a consent form, please contact WSNA or one of your local unit grievance officers immediately.  As with any discipline or investigatory meetings, it is important to contact WSNA immediately so that you can be provided with assistance with addressing any investigation or resulting discipline.  Remember you have the right to have a WSNA representative with you at any investigatory meeting.
 

The rest break settlement is now in effect at Evergreen. Now it is your turn to participate in the process of improving how breaks are taken on your unit. Below are a few of the key changes taking place as of June 1st. If you have questions or problems implementing these changes please call your WSNA Nurse Representative Sara Frey at 206-575-7979 Ext. 3039, or email her at sfrey@wsna.org.

• It is very important that you document your missed breaks using your timecard system. Instructions should be posted at each station. 
• Documentation is the way to identify the need for staffing changes. It’s up to you to document each and every time you are unable to take a break or uninterrupted break.
• It is Evergreen’s and your manager’s responsibility to provide a plan to allow you to take your breaks. Please let your charge nurse know if you are unable to take a break; however, you do NOT need permission from, or to offer any explanation to anyone regarding clocking your missed breaks.
• You are entitled to 2 fifteen minute breaks for each 8 hour shift and 3 fifteen minute breaks for each 12 hour shift. If you do not receive at least 10 UNINTERRUPTED minutes of your break…document a missed 15 minute rest break. Document EACH time this happens.
• If you are interrupted in the first 10 minutes of a 15 minute break, you do have the option of trying to repeat the missed break instead of clocking no break. If that is not possible, clock the missed break.
• There will be no retaliation for missed breaks. If you are being questioned, call WSNA as soon as possible.

We are delighted to inform you that Evergreen has agreed to settle the WSNA lawsuit on terms that will permanently and positively change the way rest breaks are handled at Evergreen.  Evergreen will begin recording and paying for missed rest breaks, and will pay some back pay for its failure to pay for rest breaks in the past.  Evergreen will also adopt procedures in each of its units to assure that RNs are able to take their rest breaks during their shifts while at the same time ensuring patient safety with adequate staffing.  WSNA hopes that Evergreen’s new system will set the standard for other hospitals in Washington to follow!  As a result of the settlement, WSNA has dismissed its lawsuit against Evergreen.

• Full text of the settlement
• March 9 letter to Evergreen RNs about the settlement

WSNA AND EVERGREEN HOSPITAL EXECUTE LANDMARK SETTLEMENT OVER NURSE REST BREAKS

We are proud to announce that WSNA and Evergreen have just entered into an agreement to settle WSNA’s lawsuit over missed rest breaks for nurses at Evergreen.

This settlement not only includes payment for rest breaks missed in the past, but also sets forth sweeping changes to the way rest breaks are handled at Evergreen. WSNA and Evergreen have agreed to implement extensive changes in timekeeping, payroll, and policy that are designed to ensure that taking rest breaks is the norm, that you are appropriately staffed to allow for breaksand that nurses are properly compensated when rest breaks are missed.

WSNA representatives will be on-site to provide information and answer questions about this historic agreement on Thursday, February 17, 2011 in Room Tan 136 from 6-10a.m. and 2-6p.m. Come be one of the first nurses at Evergreen to know about the new agreement and how it will benefit you personally!

Your Local Unit wants to buy you dinner at Wilde Rover on the Kirkland waterfront!

Where: 111 Central Way, Kirkland, WA 98033

When: Wednesday, January 12, 2011, 5:00pm until 8:00pm

Why? After a long holiday season, it is time to focus on YOU!

Come find out:

• What is happening with the Rest Break lawsuit,
• What you can do to combat retaliation from administration,What to do if you are NOT receiving ALL of your breaks,
• What negative consequences may impact YOU from the recent staffing changes,
• What you can do to increase your power as a bargaining unit,
• The financial & practical benefits of membership you may not know about

In attendance will be:

YOUR Local Unit Elected Officers

WSNA Asst. Exec. Dir. of Labor Relations Christine Himmelsbach MN, RN

WSNA Labor Law Attorney Carson Glickman-Flora

YOUR WSNA Nurse Representative Sara Frey BSN, RN

YOUR WSNA Nurse Organizer Tara Goode BA BSN, RN

RSVP with Irene Mueller @ 206-575-7979 Ext 0, imueller@wsna.org. Space is limited to the first 50

IMPORTANT!  Did you purchase an IPAD, Kindle or other electronic reader this past spring and were denied educational funds reimbursement for your device?  Please contact me immediately and provide me with your contact information including a personal phone number and personal email address.  If you did receive reimbursement, there is no need to contact me at this time.
 
You may contact me Sara Frey, WSNA Nurse Representative via email at sfrey@wsna.org or by phone at 206-575-7979, ext. 3039.
 

Uninterrupted breaks are about your safety and the safety of your patients. If you are not well rested, fatigue may negatively impact your safety as well as that of your patients. This is really about adequate staffing to ensure you have the resources to safely leave your patients for an uninterrupted break. Payment of missed breaks puts hospitals on notice that their nurses need to get their breaks or there will be consequences.

WSNA believes that not all Evergreen nurses are being afforded the breaks they are due and are not being correctly compensated when a break is missed. We have therefore, initiated a lawsuit in order to protect your rights, your safety and your patient’s safety.

If you have questions or any information you feel may be helpful, please feel free to contact your WSNA Nurse Rep, Sara Frey.