Washington State Nurses Association -Local Units

Snohomish Health District

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Contract

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Rules

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Contacts

Local Unit Officers

Chair:
Barb Bly

Co-Chair:
Mara Marana-Bianco

Secretary/Treasurer:
Juliana Barnes

Grievance Officer:
Linda Rethke

WSNA Staff Nurse Representative

Rosie Tillotson, RN
206-575-7979, Ext. 3039

News

9/29/08 - Meeting Update

Our Local Unit Meeting was held on September 24th and here are the highlights:

Your Local Unit Officers are working with WSNA on a Campaign to save Public Health and fighting for your PHN positions. Some of the strategies are:
The Registered Nurses’ letter on public health services was drafted and sent August 14th to: Executive Reardon, County Council, BOH Members
WSNA op-ed piece on public health cuts in Everett Herald, published August 31st by Barb Bly & Mara Marano-Bianco
WSNA public health & public health nursing statement read at the Snohomish County Council meeting – August 25th.
WSNA public health & public health nursing statement read at the Washington Health Coalition meeting – September 9th.
Letters to the Everett Herald Editor – form current and retired registered nurses.
Conference Call – August 27th: Public Health Emergency, WSNA’s Plan at the State and Local Unit Level/Campaign to Save Public Health
WSNA Summit on Public Health - September 12th
Meet with Administration regarding R in F language – September 17th (Follow up meeting in October)

It was agreed at the LU meeting that:

A brief orientation or familiarization period (for bumping) will be 6 months
Up to 5 days to make the decision to bump

9/12/08 - BOH Meeting Update

The BOH Meeting was held on September 9th and here are the highlights:

The BOH passed a resolution to increase Environmental Health fees. The fees will go into effect November 1st and will fully support Environmental Health programs.

The BOH also considered and rejected Gary Goldbaum’s proposal to cut 35 positions. Instead, the Board wants to carefully review a draft 2009 Budget and then look at alternatives to reducing any direct service positions.

It was heard, at the meeting, that the Board wants to avoid layoffs, particularly to programs. The Board did not approve layoffs; therefore, any action is delayed for at least a month.

WSNA is working with your Local Unit Officers in keeping you informed and up-to-date on the pending budget woes!

Questions – please contact one of your Local Unit Officers, or visit this page for updated information and unit information.

8/27/08 - Save the Date for Upcoming WSNA Local Unit Meeting

What have your Officers been doing to save nursing jobs:

Review of 8/25 Presentation to Snohomish County Council
Review of 8/26 Conference Committee Meeting
Review of 9/17 Negotiations Meeting with Admin.

9/24/08
5:30 pm @ Laura Black's Home

2305 141st Pl. SE
Millcreek, WA. 98012
425 338-0905

Meeting to begin @ 6 pm
Dinner will be provided

8/08 - Local Unit Meeting Highlights

Our Local Unit Meeting was held on July 23rd and here are the highlights:

Your Local Unit Officers meet with AFSCM & Local 17 and decided not be participate in the letter to the councilmen and information packet they drafted.

Instead, we will draft a letter addressed to Executive Reardon, County Councilmen & BOH and mail after August 12th all staff meeting. This letter will be passed around for the nurses who wish to sign; more information to follow on this.

WSNA is working with your Local Unit Officers in keeping you informed and up to date on the pending budget woes!

Questions – please contact one of your Local Unit Officers, or check back here for updated information and unit information.

Document Library

Newsletters

Oct 2008
Aug 2007
April 2006
Aug 2005
Feb 2004

Letters

Letter to Executive Reardon (Word .doc file)

Meeting Minutes

July 23, 2008

Please note: All items in the document library are in PDF format unless otherwise noted.

Labor Studies School

IT IS FREE! Classes start in September 2008 thru June 2009.
Three tracks are available with a variety of classes! Classes include:

What does the law say about Unions?
What is a grievance and what does it mean to me?
What are negotiations and how do they work?
What do Local Unit Officers do?

You can choose a track or mix and match classes to meet your interests! For info or to register check on line at www.wsna.org/labor/labor-studies-school or call 1-800-231-8482, ext. 3011

Current Issue

Short Staffing = No Breaks = Unsafe Patient Care

The issue of meal and rest breaks has plagued nurse for many years. It has never been about nurses not wanting to take their breaks. It is about real concerns related to staffing and the ability to provide SAFE Patient Care. It is about hospitals having enough STAFF to meet the requirements of the law to provide rest breaks.

Missed meal and rest breaks have a direct relationship to short staffing which can lead to unsafe patient care. Missed meal and rest breaks are a direct result of the lack of commitment to provide adequate staffing. Missed meal and rest breaks force you to work exhausted and lead to increased medical and medication errors, thus putting both Your Patients - and YOU - in jeopardy.

We don’t think it is unreasonable to expect to be able to stop and rest for 15 minutes every 4 hours … do you?

As a Registered Nurse working in Washington:

Did You Know?

You are entitled to an unpaid meal period of one-half (1/2) hour if you work five (5) or more hours.
You are entitled to one (1) fifteen minute break halfway through every four (4) hours of work.
You are entitled to compensation if you are required to remain on duty or in your unit during your meal period.
You are entitled to compensation for your missed rest breaks.
Short staffing results in you not getting your breaks and in unsafe patient care.

WSNA Is Fighting For You!

Filed grievances at numerous facilities on missed breaks, Settlement reached at Virginia Mason Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham.
Won Arbitration decisions on missed breaks at Sacred Heart Medical Center, Yakima Regional Medical & Heart Center.
Pursuing the Department of Labor & Industries to change State Regulations on missed Breaks for Nurses.

What You Can Do!

Follow your contract, if you miss your meal/break period, document on your time card and keep your own personal record of missed breaks.
Complete an ADO form and distribute to your manager with a copy to your local unit chair and your WSNA Nurse Representative
To file a complaint with the L & I, notify your Nurse Representative at WSNA for the paperwork and instructions.

Resources from ANA

ANA's "The Importance of Belonging" (PDF; 817KB)

Membership

Become a Member

Want to have a voice in your local unit? Want to be able to vote on your contract? Join WSNA today! Simply download and complete the WSNA Membership Application form, and return it to us by fax or mail.

Have you moved? Changed your name? Changed your FTE? Gone on LOA?

Don't forget to notify WSNA to ensure that your membership information is correct and that you are paying the right amount of dues. Your employer may not inform WSNA of these changes in a timely fashion… It’s up to you!

It's simple. Just complete the Change of Information form and return it to us by fax or mail.

Help us keep your records accurate by letting us know right away when there are changes.

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