St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute

Our 4th day of negotiations is complete.  Management continues to hold you back by doing the following:

• Their last proposal only indicated one pay increase in 4 ½ years.
• Management has also refused all of our Safe Staffing proposals.
• We have also heard Management has communicated to the nurses at St. Luke’s that our Safe Staffing proposals are only money driven.  This is not true!  An increase in pay for you would serve as a disincentive to them.  Because of this, it would encourage Management to staff your units more safely and appropriately.
• Management also wants to put the obligation on you to get coverage for your meal and rest breaks.
• They continue to push and force their proposal of PTO/EIB.

What would this mean for you?
If you were sick, this would force you to use at least 2 days of vacation leave before you can use any of your sick time.

These are major changes for you and your working conditions.

Unfortunately, we have made minimal progress at the table.  Management has also canceled our last prescheduled day of negotiations because they refused to meet with us without a federal mediator present.  At this time, we are waiting to hear when our next day of bargaining will be.

Stay tuned for more updates 
Membership is increasing - St. Luke’s nurses are joining and standing together
Our bargaining unit is stronger 
Don’t be left behind.  Join today.  Have a Voice.

• Third day into bargaining and Management proposes MORE TAKE-AWAYS!
• Our repeated concerns about safe staffing have fallen on deaf ears.  In fact your management has now proposed to decrease your 15 minute rest breaks to 10 minutes.   Management actually stated the reason they decided to propose this take away was they have heard nurses don’t like to take rest breaks.  Nurses need their full 15 minute rest breaks so they can safely care for patients.  Do they want a fatigued nurse caring for their loved ones? 
• Management continues to reject our proposal which would allow the nurses to have a voice in health benefit changes.  
• Due to the concerns raised by your negotiating team about unsafe parking, the hospital now has decided to put a call box in the parking lot on the hill.  This is a start at resolving this issue, so please thank your negotiating team nurses for their tenacity with this issue. 
• Our next negotiation dates are November 28th and December 2nd.  Remember to wear BLUE on these days in a show of solidarity.  

Support your negotiation team by becoming a member.  Only members can vote on the contract. 

Join Today And Have A Say!

This Impacts You!

Wanting Better Coverage?  Wanting Better Health Benefits?
Are you carrying dependents?  Or a Spouse?
Do you wish you had a say in how this is constructed and decided?

Your union – the Washington State Nurses Association – has just been informed by management that it intends to increase your health insurance costs for 2012.  Currently, St. Luke’s has the FULL discretion to change the details of  your health benefits.

Don’t You Think It’s Time You Had a Say?

For the last two years, there have been increases to the premium costs for the benefits plans.  In 2011, you were forced to endure a 10% increase in premiums to your 70/30 high deductable plan.  For the year 2012, Management is forcing you again to take an additional 9% increase in this same premium, and a 13% increase in premiums for the primary plan.

While in 2012 you may be receiving an 8.75% decrease for primary and basic dental plans, don’t forget, in 2011 you received a 7.1% increase to the Primary Plan and Basic dental plans.

Currently, for the year 2012, Management will require an increase to all plan deductibles/co insurance.  Your High Deductable Health Savings plan will cost YOU $1,500 for the employee only, and $3,000 for a family deductable.  Only then, will your 80% benefit apply, up to the coinsurance max amount.

What Can You Do?

Contract bargaining is going on right now!
We need your help to win improvements that will offset these new costs.

Your bargaining committee is fighting for higher wages, safe staffing (with no mandatory low census), and union security.  WSNA has also proposed a “maintenance of benefits” clause that is common in most union contracts, and prevents employers from reducing benefits or increasing costs without first bargaining with your union.  If we are able to win this clause, then St. Luke’s will not be able to surprise you with costs increases without first bargaining.

Come learn more about what’s at stake in bargaining.
Meet your Negotiating Team: Peg Freund, Kristy Romero, Linda Spurgeon, Marie Hutchinson, Cheryl McDaniel, and Fran Bouck!
See how a good union contract makes a RNs job better!
Join us November 7th from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Drop in any time!
3906 East Myrtle Court, Spokane

We want to help you gain a greater control!  To do this, we need strength in numbers!  Which means increase in membership!!

You Matter to WSNA, and WSNA Matters To You!
Join Today to Have Your Say!

The second session of negotiations between WSNA and St. Lukes is complete.  Currently, we have had a few changes, which have mostly been clean up.  We have agreed to a contract extension, which allows you to continually be protected by your contract.

How you can get more informed and involved!
Your Negotiating Team is hosting an Open House for you.
Please come, learn more about negotiations and what is at stake.
Have cheese and chocolates with special refreshments provided by your Local Unit. 
Feeling Lucky?  There will be door prizes.  Enter for your chance to win!

When?  November 7th from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm
               Drop in any time

Where?  3906 East Myrtle Court, Spokane

Why?  Because this affects you.  This is your Bargaining Unit and your contract.

Note:  Next two negotiation sessions are November 15th and 28th.  Watch for updates and further action.  Wear blue and buttons on these days to show your support.
 

Your bargaining team kicked off negotiations with St. Luke’s on Friday, Oct. 21.  The first session was a HUGE disappointment.  Your team presented some of its proposals for improvements to YOUR contract. 

Management presented more than 24 takeaways in its initial proposal.

Management seeks to delay the bargaining process despite the contract’s upcoming expiration date.  Management WALKED OUT of the first session after WSNA insisted that the negotiation team be released from work to attend agreed-upon negotiation sessions.  While the management team is made up of six paid managers, management will only guarantee that three out of six, of YOUR bargaining team members will be released from work.  These members are using their OWN unpaid time to represents YOUR interests!!  Management refuses to guarantee, even the right to take off work for no-pay to be at the bargaining table.

St. Luke’s management is also refusing to meet at St. Luke’s.  This prevents you from easily participating or viewing the bargaining.

Get Involved Now! If you want a say, join today!
 

The following RNs have been working hard, around the clock to prepare and represent you for negotiations!

Give a pat on the back to the RNs working on your contract!

Kristy Romero
Linda Spurgeon
Peg Freund
Marie Hutchinson
Fran Bouck
Cheryl McDaniel

St. Luke’s Nurses!!! 
This is YOUR negotiating TEAM!!

Make note: The following days, we will be negotiating!
Oct. 21st and 25th.

In Solidarity!

Attention Spokane area nurses! Over 200 nurses signed up to attend the WSNA Spokane area nurses Unity Dinner.  Attached is a news bulletin  (PDF; 1.75 MB) with pictures and descriptions of the fun filled and energetic event. See if you recognize any of your fellow nurses enjoying a lovely evening of solidarity and unity together.

Join us in a night of celebration, unity & solidarity. The Inland Empire Nurses Association and your local units are sponsoring an incredible event that you do not want to miss! Join your fellow WSNA Spokane area nurses at the Davenport Hotel for a FREE dinner with hors d’oeuvres and dessert and a no host bar. We will have exciting speakers, great conversations, door prizes, and a whole lot of FUN!!! You do not want to miss this incredible event. You must RSVP to reserve your seat as space is limited.

WHEN: Thursday, April 21st

TIME: 5:30-8:30pm

WHERE: Davenport Hotel, 10 South Post St., Spokane, WA

COST:  FREE!

RSVP TODAY: Call 1-800-231-8482, ext. 0 or Email:   imueller@wsna.org

Please indicate your facility and clearly spell your last name

WSNA would personally like to say congratulations to the following members who have been elected by your local unit!  Please take the time to thank them, and get to know them as well!

Chair – Peggy Freund
Treasurer – Valerie Brock

Your dedication and hard work is appreciated!