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Contract

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MOU - July 2, 2010

Rules

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Contacts

Local Unit Officers

Chair:
Richard Miller

Vice-Chair:
Gerald Gifford

Treasurer:
Donna L Henry

Secretary:
Jennifer A Becker

Grievance Officer:
Amber LaZelle

WSNA Nurse Representative

Jaclyn Perkins, BSN, RN
206-575-7979, Ext. 3118

News

7/15/10 - MOU

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7/9/10 - Attention Spokane Veterans Home RNs !

As most of you know, Senate Bill 6503 was recently passed affecting all state facilities, including the Spokane Veterans Affairs. WSNA has been working hard to soften the impacts among the upcoming furloughs. A successful MOU has been drafted by the agency and WSNA on your behalf. We are conducting a vote on the MOU at your facility. Come review the MOU, and cast your vote. At this time, WSNA recommends a “YES!” vote.

We need your participation from each one of you!

Where: Spokane Veterans Affairs Conference Room
When: July 16th, 2010, from 11:00am to 1pm

For any additional questions please email me at jperkins@wsna.org

Sincerely,
Jaclyn Perkins RN
WSNA Nurse Representative

There is a NEW NURSE REP for Your Facility!

I live in the Spokane area, and I am eager to meet and support you! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. I look forward to getting to know you personally and professionally.

Sincerely,

Jaclyn Perkins, BSN, RN
WSNA Nurse Representative
jperkins@wsna.org
(206)-575-7979 - Ext 3118
800 -231-8482 Toll Free - Ext 3118

Contract Update

Contract Update All WSNA/DVA Nurses

The Healthcare Coalition successfully reached a tentative agreement with Office of Financial Management on health care on July 10, 2008. The premium share will remain status quo with the employer paying 88% and nurses paying 12%.

There is also a new Wellness benefit. All State employees will be encouraged to participate in a Health Risk Assessment survey. You will be allowed to complete this on work time and use a State computer. The assessments are confidential. Nurse wellness coaches are available and can be requested via the survey process.

Also new: Health-care premium costs are projected to increase for 2010 and 2011 by 8%. If employees utilize their health benefits less than projected (procurement cost), the associated cost savings will be transferred back to the PEBB fund. At the end of fiscal year 2010, the Health Care Authority will measure procurement costs. In the event that actual procurement costs are 7.5% or less, the State will designate money towards a state-wide Wellness Incentive Program. The State will work in consultation with the Health Care Super-Coalition to determine how the Wellness Incentive Program money is allocated. However, due to the unpredictability of health-care costs, we cannot guarantee that this money will materialize. It is a step in the right direction.

Document Library

Newsletter

August 2010 (221 KB)
August 2005 (69 KB)

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

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.

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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