Snohomish Health District

Congratulations to the following nurses who have been duly elected as Local Unit Officers:

Chairperson:  Leta Tarrell
Vice-Chair:  Debbie Styers
Secretary/Treasurer:  Mary Merrell            
Grievance Officer: Barbara Bly

Please take a moment to thank the outgoing officers for all the hard work they have done on your behalf: Barbara Bly, Chairperson; Mary Anne Boyce, Vice-Chair; Kim Ander, Secretary/Treasurer; Leta Tarrell, Grievance Officer.

Barbara Bly Receives Marguerite Cobb Public Health/Community Health Nurse Award!
At WSNA Convention 2013, Barbara Bly, BSN RN, received the prestigious Marguerite Cobb Public Health/Community Health Nurse Award!  This award recognizes the outstanding professional contributions of one public health or community health nurse and calls this achievement to the attention of members of the profession as well as the general public.  Thanks to Barb’s colleagues who submitted such inspiring and wonderful narratives regarding her work on behalf of the nursing profession, the professional organization, clients, and community.  For photos from Convention, please click here.

Thanks to all of you who came to vote on your new contract.  The contract passed with an overwhelming majority.  The vote summary will be posted on the WSNA website under Snohomish Health District.  Jean Zahalka and Debbie Styers did a wonderful job representing all of you at the negotiation table! 

The contract originals were delivered to the Health District on January 22, 2013.  The contract content will be presented to the Snohomish Board on February 12, 2013.  Once WSNA receives the signed copies from the Health District, we will make CDs that will be distributed to you. 

If you have any questions, please call Hanna Welander at (800) 231-8482, Ext. 3035 or email hwelander@wsna.org.

On December 19, 2012, after four sessions of difficult negotiations, your WSNA Negotiating Team reached a tentative agreement with Snohomish Health District.  We were successful in staving off takeaways, preserving language that we knew was important to the bargaining unit, and successfully achieved a modest wage increase for 2013 and 2014.  This will be a two-year contract. 

The vote time and location will be announced in early January, so please keep an eye out for the postcard.  Please take a moment to congratulate your Team Members, Jean Zahalka and Debbie Styers, on a job WELL DONE! 

For any questions, please call your WSNA Nurse Representative, Hanna Welander, (206) 575-7979, Ext. 3035, or email hwelander@wsna.org.   

Important!  Important!  Important!
 
We spent another long negotiation day with the employer who presented the rest of its proposals.  WSNA stated its position with regard to significant working condition changes proposed by the Employer.  It is really important that you attend the Local Unit Meeting.  The Chief Spokesperson for WSNA will be presenting this information to you.  This is your opportunity for you to give feedback on what is being presented.    
       
Meeting Location:  Snohomish Lynnwood Office

Time/Date:  December 12, 2012, 6-7 PM

Food will be provided 

Your Negotiating Team met Monday, December 3, 2012, with the Employer for our first negotiation session.  WSNA presented its initial proposal.  The Employer’s representative talked conceptually about some of their proposals.  WSNA requested these conceptual proposals be put in writing.  We meet again on Wednesday, December 5, 2012.  At that time, the Employer plans to give a presentation about the economic status of the district and will present its economic counter-proposal.

We will probably be holding a Local Unit Meeting within the next couple of weeks as negotiations progress.  If so, it will be very important for you to attend that meeting or any meetings set by WSNA during these negotiations.  Please stay tuned. 

Remaining Negotiation Sessions:  December 5, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 19, 2012. 

In Solidarity,
Jean Zahalka and Debbie Styers

The current contract between WSNA and your local unit expires December 31, 2012. This survey is the first step in our preparation for contract negotiations.  Your input is critical in determining our priorities as we head to the bargaining table.  It is vital that we know your issues and concerns prior to the start of the negotiations.

Take a moment to complete this survey now.  The power of representation comes from the willingness of our Registered Nurses to come together; our strength is in unity!  Remember, in order for WSNA to be an effective, strong, and influential voice for you at the negotiation table, we need your involvement and commitment. Surveys must be completed  by August 17th.  Click here to access your survey.

It is important that you provide us with your current contact information.  WSNA and your negotiating team members do not share this information with anyone.  It is only collected so that we may contact you if we have questions about issues and so that we may share important information with you regarding negotiations. 

Check your email or WSNA/Snohomish Health District website frequently during negotiations to make sure you are receiving important updates.

• Barb Bly – Unit Chair
• Mary Anne Boyce – Co-Chair
• Kim (Stearns) Ander – Secretary/Treasurer
• Leta Tarrell – Grievance Officer
• Amanda Tarbill – appointee to Conference Committee (2011)

Congratulations to the newly elected officers of the WSNA/Snohomish Health District Local Unit!