Washington State Nurses Association -Local Units

University of Washington Medical Center

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Contract

Download (PDF; 541 KB)

Memoranda of Understanding

Surg/Rec Subcomm (PDF; 107KB)
2% Wage Increase (PDF; 44KB)
Articles 19 & 20 (PDF; 669KB)

Pay Scale Tables

RN2 2007-2009 (PDF; 16 KB)
RN3 2007-2009 (PDF; 16 KB)

Rules

Download (PDF)

Contacts

Local Unit Officers

Chair:
Stephen R. Krauss, RN - OR
catbert@oz.net

Secretary:
Anita A Stull, RN - 7N
astull@u.washington.edu
206-789-0832

Treasurer:
Harry James, RN - OR
hejames_99@yahoo.com

Grievance Officer:
Nancy Higgins

WSNA Nurse Representative

Ed Zercher, BSN, RN
206-575-7979, Ext. 3022

Update & Action Alert

08/21/09

You're invited to a Sidewalk Social!
FREE snacks and beverages for RNs at UWMC

Thursday, September 3rd @ 06-0800 & 14-1600 & 18-2000

We will be set up between the Husky Stadium parking lot and the UWMC entrance.

You may be asking yourself why?
We want you to know that your officers and the staff at WSNA are here for you!
We need your attention before our next negotiations so that we may better serve YOUR interests. We value your opinion and rely on your involvement.
Tell us what you need! Take this opportunity to update your information so you can be in the loop for updates and events. Stop by and meet your colleagues that are working to ensure a good contract negotiation session this next year! Questions? Contact your Officers or Ed Zercher, BSN, RN, ezercher@wsna.org or 800-231-8482, Ext 3022.

07/22/09

UWMC HOUSEWIDE RN ALERT!!!

Mandatory Overtime and Missed Breaks continue to plague Nurses at UWMC!
Do not stand by and allow this to continue…..You have rights and laws that protect you against this very abuse.

What can you do now?

Document on your time card EVERYTIME that you do not receive your 15 minute breaks or 30 minute meal. (your manager may attempt to change your time card but your documentation becomes permanent).
Fill out L&I Worker Rights Complaint form EVERY time this happens. This form can be found at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/FormPub/Detail.asp?DocID=2367 additional workplace rights info can be found at the L&I website www.lni.wa.gov
Remember to fill out an ADO (Assignment Despite Objection) form in addition to the above items each and every time and deliver to your Unit Representative.

Your employer has an obligation to acknowledge your legal rights and maintain nurse and patient safety!!

For questions or comments on these items contact:

Ed Zercher BSN, RN
WSNA Nurse Representative
206-575-7979 ext 3022
ezercher@wsna.org

01/29/09

On 1/23/09, Johnese Spisso sent a notice to UWMC staff advising that January 2009 wage increases are suspended until further notice pending legislative approval. While this wage freeze affects some UWMC employees, it does not affect WSNA bargaining unit members because the first 2009 wage increase for the WSNA bargaining unit will occur once the new contract goes into effect on 7/1/09. The UWMC indicated it intends to honor the wage increases contained in the contract that was ratified in October 2008 and goes into effect 7/1/09.

However, the portion of management’s notice regarding healthcare benefits affects all classified state employees, including the WSNA nurses. The benefits package negotiated and agreed upon by the coalition of all unions representing all classified state workers is pending approval by the legislature. At this time, neither WSNA nor UWMC knows if the legislature will approve the benefits package. If rejected, the coalition will need to reconvene to decide on further action. WSNA will keep you apprised of any action taken by the legislature with regard to the benefits package.

So. . .what does this mean?

Your healthcare benefits package has not yet been approved and may be at risk. If the legislature does not approve the package, the coalition of all the unions will meet to determine what collective action to take.

What is WSNA doing?

Sponsoring Nurse Legislative Day on 2/2/09 to educate legislators and gather support for approval of the benefits package that was fairly negotiated by the healthcare coalition.
Attending the Health Care Labor Coalition Budget meeting on 2/3/09 to get an update and to represent our members’ voice.
Lobbying on behalf of WSNA nurses throughout the legislative session.

What can you do?

Contact your legislators and urge them to approve the coalition’s benefits package.
Contact UWMC administration and tell them to put pressure on the legislature to approve your benefits package.
Stay informed and Get involved and visit the WSNA.org website for more details!

Who do I contact with questions?

Ed Zercher, RN, WSNA Nurse Representative, 206-575-7979, ext. 3022, ezercher@wsna.org

Document Library

Newsletters

Letters

Settlement FAQs (13 KB)
June 2006 (126 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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