PeaceHealth Lower Columbia Region

Please plan on stopping by the cafeteria on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 from 12:00-1400 to speak with your nurse representative Judy Marken.  WSNA wants to answer your questions regarding the newly ratified contract or any other concerns you have.  We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!
 

Click here to view your March newsletter.

We at WSNA are monitoring your paycheck concerns.  In response to WSNA inquiries, Human Resources at PeaceHealth, LCR has acknowledged that paychecks in January and February, 2012, had premiums and wage increases paid out separately due to difficulty implementing changes in the Laws on timekeeping system.  PeaceHealth has stated they are working to correct the confusion and any errors, if they occurred, since your contract was ratified.

We are committed to seeing that you are paid correctly. Therefore we are advising nurses to closely review their rate of pay, premium hourly amounts and certification hourly amounts.  We need to make sure you are being properly paid in accordance with your negotiated contract.

The new contract provides for new rates of pay to become effective the first full pay period following October 1, 2011.

The only way to determine if the amounts of your pay are correct is to do the math, or call the HR number (below) for help.  WSNA is monitoring this concern.  If you find a discrepancy, please call Human Resource Center at 855-333-6947.  If after contacting Human Resources Center you are not satisfied that your pay is correct and in accordance with our contract, please call Judy Marken, WSNA Nurse Representative, at 206-575-7979, ext 3117.
 

After lengthy negotiations, you ratified a new Contract on December 12, 2011!

During the vote, WSNA heard that there is further need for information about how we update you before, during and after the Negotiation Process.  Please contact Judy Marken, Nurse Representative.  Let me know your concerns at 206-575-7979, ext. 3117. 

There will be a Local Unit Meeting as soon as contracts are available, during which you can pick up your contract and discuss any issues with WSNA.  

Thank you all
 

Your fabulous negotiating team met with management in two more sessions  - November 16th and November 17th.  Negotiations have been slow and painstaking, but we are still making progress; collaboration and mutual interests are the goal. Your team has been striving to get you the best possible contract.  Careful bargaining and consideration take time.  Big issues are on the table, and your team is working hard!  WSNA and Management will meet again on November 29th.  Keep your spirits up, we are working hard for all of you!

Support your Negotiation Team - they represent all of you!

Your negotiating team met with management again on October 26th, and we are moving forward.  We are still working hard to achieve a contract that provides the respect you deserve.  We are working on the issues important to you!
 
Upcoming negotiation sessions are November 16 and 17.  Your contract has been extended through the end of November. Our next session with management will be number ten!
 
It is very important to continue to show strength and unity. 
Support your Negotiation Team by wearing blue in the workplace and by wearing your WSNA buttons. Stay tuned!
 

We had negotiation sessions with management on October 10th and October 11th.  There has been some positive movement from the management team, but they have not addressed the huge problem of low census.  Nurses have collectively lost millions in pay and PTO over the years due to low census.  We are striving to make management see that nurses are their primary “caregivers” and of great importance to PeaceHealth – NOT a cost to reduce.  Nurses are demanding professional respect and safe staffing.

Continue to support your hardworking Negotiating Team.  Wear your WSNA buttons in the workplace and encourage your co-workers to do the same!!  Nurses deserve a fair and equitable contract.  Help your team to achieve this for you!  Our next negotiation date is October 26.
 

It has come to the attention of WSNA that a mistake may have been made by the hospital with regard to dues deduction.  WSNA is working closely with the hospital to get the matter resolved in an efficient and timely manner.  We have been assured that you will see refunds made as soon as your next paycheck.  WSNA will continue to work with the hospital and monitor this situation through to resolution.

Negotiations are going on at PeaceHealth, LCR. We are making progress, and we go back to the table again on Sept 22, 2011 - stay tuned for more updates!!!

When it comes to WSNA and the contract negotiation process, there are a few things you can do:

• Ensure you receive your updates in a timely manner,
• Give your input when the team needs to hear from you,
• And make an informed decision once a vote is scheduled.

The most important action you can take is to be informed!!!

Please send an email to WSNA Nurse Organizer Mara Kieval at mkieval@wsna.org with your contact information.
(PeaceHealth work emails and phone extensions should not be used for confidential communication with WSNA.  Info received will be used for the purposes of updating the WSNA database.)

• Name
• Home Email Address
• Preferred Phone Number
• Current Unit and Location
• Shift (e.g. 8h days, 12h nocs)
• FTE (hours per week e.g. 0.5 FTE=20 hrs/wk)
• Mailing Address (especially if you do not already receive postcards from WSNA.)

Add the WSNA domain name (wsna.org) as a safe sender in your home email account.
READ our email updates!
REPLY to information requests in a timely manner.

Your input is key in helping your team know what is important to you while negotiating YOUR new contract!

Your awesome Negotiating Team is working hard!  We met with management on September 12, 2011, in our third Negotiation Session.  Significant issues are now on the table and we are moving into a more serious phase of collective bargaining.  We are bringing forward the issues you have all identified as being important to you.  Management has given us their initial proposal, including an economic package.  Though the economic package is a bit disappointing, the management team did come to the table with new contract language about mutual respect, collaboration and achieving mutual goals!

Your Negotiating Team is determined to get a fair and equitable contract that acknowledges each and every RNs contribution to the great patient care you give at PeaceHealth, LCR. 

Show support for your hard-working Team!  Wear WSNA buttons, stay united and thank them for representing you.  You are the reason they work so hard!  The Team cannot tell you specifics about any bargaining session or proposal until there has been a tentative contract agreement, but we can tell you general priorities, how the sessions are going and what you can do to help.  If you have questions, please call your Nurse Rep at 206-575-7979, ext 3117 or e-mail me at jmarken@wsna.org.

On August 30, your hard-working Negotiation Team met with management in a first negotiation session. The Team presented our contract proposal with changes based on needs you have expressed to them individually in the recent negotiation survey and in local unit meetings during the last three years. The Team aims to represent all nurses in the bargaining unit, not just separate areas; the goal is to let all your collective voices be heard!

The day was quite productive and your Team did a wonderful job! The next session is on September 6th and management will present their proposal to us. Stay tuned!

Your Negotiating Team met together again on August 4th, 2011 and did an awesome job!  They have set out to get all your interests and concerns in a first proposal to management. That being said, negotiation means we always strive to promote particular nursing interests while we keep in mind the interests of nurses as a collective group, all covered by the contract.  We have a great team and we will succeed!

Med-Surg Nurses we want to hear from you.  We care very much about your concerns.  Are there issues you feel need to be addressed in negotiations?  Contact your Local Unit Officers or e-mail your Nurse Rep, jmarken@wsna.org with input.  Keep in mind that there are many of you.  We will do our best to respond as quickly as we can. 

Enjoy Your Summer!

WSNA was notified last week that PeaceHealth / St. John’s Medical Center intends to send out a survey to all its employees, regarding matters that are subject to collective bargaining.  We have notified PeaceHealth, LCR that this survey is not approved by WSNA and may therefore not be sent to our bargaining unit members.  The collective bargaining process is protected by law.  A survey such as the one the Medical Center has prepared could undermine your Negotiation Team at the bargaining table and could negatively impact important discussions.  Please let your bargaining unit Local Unit Officers, or your Nurse Representative, Judy Marken, (jmarken@wsna.org) know if you receive such a survey.  We will keep you updated about Negotiations — we have the first meeting with our team this week. 

Greetings, Nurses of PeaceHealth, LCR!
Your contract negotiations are almost here!  
We are marshalling our team, and it is time to have local unit meetings to hear from you.

Two meetings are planned this month, and your presence is requested at one, or both, if you can come! Your concerns are very important to us—they help us formulate the primary proposal we write, and we need to hear your views.  We will take your information back to the negotiating table, so that management hears your collective voice.

Come one, come all — tell us the news!

Times:
June 21, 2011 from 7:30 am until 9:30 am—Conf Rm E    
June 22, 2011 from 7:00 pm until 9:30 pm—Conf Rm C/D (Both main hospital)

The following positions have been filled by the nurses you elected—your Local Unit Officer team.  You have spoken, and we congratulate the new team, and you.  Your Officers represent you in many ways, including speaking up for your interests at various meetings, and supporting you through the grievance process.

Chair — Jeanne Avey, RN
Vice-Chair — Robin Larsen, RN
Secretary/Treasurer — Merry Bond, RN
Grievance Officer — Valerie Pennington, RN
Grievance Officer — Mary Parker, RN
Grievance Officer — Cheri Rae-Wilcox, RN
Grievance Officer — Debra Ward, RN

Support Your Local Unit Executive Team (Your Officers)
They Have Your Best Interests At Heart!