Update & Action Alert

8/27/10 - Got break?

If not, you should!   A recent Arbitration decision agrees with what WSNA has been arguing for years:

• Every RN is entitled to an uninterrupted, 15 minute break for every 4 hours worked.
• Intermittent breaks are not sufficient to give a nurse the rest needed to provide safe and effective patient care.
• If your break is interrupted, your 15 minutes will start over from the beginning.
• The responsibility to arrange for and ensure breaks is now the responsibility of the Hospital - not the nurse!
• Time spent briefing a break partner and being briefed upon return does not count as part of your break.
• If UWMC fails to comply with the rest break provision of our Collective Bargaining Agreement, it could lead to serious financial disincentives.

Arbitrator Howell Lankford made it very clear in his decision that UWMC has not only violated our contract, but has instead chosen to ignore the scope and intensity of this important patient and nurse safety issue.

Demand your breaks!  Let’s change the “No Break” culture here at UWMC!

WSNA - Leading the Way!

For questions, call:  Ed Zercher, WSNA Nurse Representative at 206-575-7979, ext. 3022.

 

8/17/10 - Read the Arbitration Decision and Award

Download and view the full Arbitration decision and award set forth by Arbitrator Howell Lankford in favor of WSNA and UWMC RNs receiving their breaks! (1.85MB; PDF)

 

8/10/10 - Rest Break Arbitration Victory

UWMC Registered Nurses Unite for Patient and Nurse Safety!

As many of you know, WSNA nurses at UWMC took a stand to fight for uninterrupted 15 minute rest breaks during which nurses are completely relieved of their duties. Article 7 of the WSNA-UWMC agreement guarantees 15 minute rest breaks, but Hospital management has done little to make those breaks a reality. In response to a grievance challenging management's failure to provide breaks, the Hospital claimed that nurses were getting their breaks. The grievance was submitted for final and binding arbitration to Arbitrator Lankford who ruled that:

1. The UWMC did violate Article 7 of the agreement by failing to provide 15 minute rest breaks to RNs;
2. Rest breaks are essential for the health of nurses and patients;
3. The contract requires full fifteen minute block breaks, not intermittent breaks; if a break is interrupted for any reason, a nurse is entitled to another full fifteen minute break;
4. Arbitrator Lankford rejected the Hospital's claim that it is the nurse's responsibility to assure they get their breaks; and
5. He rejected the Hospital's claim that in-unit staffing procedures relieved it of responsibility to provide breaks.

His ruling speaks loud and clear – it is the Hospital's obligation to provide 15 minute rest breaks and its failure to do so violates the Agreement! As a remedy:

1. He directs the Hospital to provide uninterrupted rest breaks;
2. He directs the Hospital to set up a system to track missed rest breaks which will count breaks as missed unless the RN acknowledges receiving the break; and
3. Although for now he has not awarded pay for missed breaks, he has ordered breaks be given, missed breaks recorded, and warned the Hospital in no uncertain terms that unless the Hospital starts providing breaks, dire consequences will follow.

Congratulations, UWMC registered nurses for coming together, staying strong and continuing your commitment to doing the right thing!

In Solidarity,

Steve Krauss, LU Chair
Harry James, LU Treasurer
Anita Stull, LU Grievance Officer
Kathryn Higgins, LU Grievance Officer

Ed Zercher, BSN, RN, WSNA Nurse representative
Christine Himmelsbach, MN, RN, WSNA Assistant Executive Director of Labor Relations

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Ed Zercher, WSNA Nurse Representative, at ezercher@wsna.org or (206) 575-7979 ext. 3022.

7/5/10 - Negotiated Contract Extension Vote

Your WSNA Negotiating Team and UWMC Administration met on July 13. Upon meeting and discussing the current economic realities of the times, your WSNA negotiating team and the UWMC management team agreed to extend the current contract by one year. The extension means that the current contract between WSNA and UWMC will remain the same for the next year, including your 2.5% raise that will go into effect in Jan. 2011 and continued step increases in accordance with years of service. The extension successfully avoids any take-a-ways and provides for full negotiations to begin in 2011 for the next contract.

The MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) containing the contract extension is scheduled for a vote on August 5, 2010. Your vote is important and all WSNA members in good standing are encouraged to show up and vote for this MOU. Negotiating team members as well as the WSNA attorney will be on hand to answer all of your questions and address your concerns.

WSNA and your UWMC/WSNA negotiating team members recommend a "YES" vote!

Please come and cast your vote at:
August 5th -- 0730-0930 / Plaza Café “C” or
1230-1500/BB393 or
1800-2030/BB393

Your negotiating team has worked very hard to assist in making this happen. For any questions, you may contact any of the following Negotiating Team members: Steve Krauss, Harry James, Kathy Higgins, Anita Stull, Teresa Wren, Sherri Burch, Mary Jo Kelly or Teddy Villamarin. You can also contact your Nurse Representative Ed Zercher at ezercher@wsna.org

6/15/10

Your 2010 Negotiating Team has met again this past week and continued to work on finalizing your priorities as identified by this year’s negotiation surveys.

We are slated to begin talks with Administration in July and will keep our membership informed every step of the way.

Stay tuned for updates!
Sincerely,
Ed Zercher
WSNA Nurse Representative

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