Washington State Nurses Association -Local Units

Whatcom County Health Department

Home > Labor Relations > Local Units > This Local Unit

Contract

Download (.PDF format)

Letter of Understanding - Furlough (.PDF format)

Letter of Understanding Dated October 5, 2009 (PDF)

Rules

Download (.PDF format)

Contacts

Local Unit Officers

Co-Chair:
Sylvia Fragner, RN

Co-Chair:
Connie Kelley, RN

Secretary/Treasurer:
Alexis Cardinal, RN

Grievance Officer:
Joni Hensley BSN, RN, CRN

WSNA Nurse Representative

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

Meeting

What:          Local Unit Meeting/ Brown Bag Lunch
When:         Tuesday, Feb 23rd at Noon
Where:        Room 201 at State Street office

Discussion will include 2010 Furlough requirements and expectations.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have so that we can add them to our agenda.

Sincerely,
Ed Zercher BSN, RN
WSNA Nurse Representative
206‑575‑7979 Ext 3022
ezercher@wsna.org

News

12/1/09 - Attention All Whatcom HD Nurses!

As many of you have already been notified through the November 30th “Benefit Alert” sent out by HR, there are a few changes taking place in your Medical Cap Plan for 2010.

A couple of options were proposed earlier in the month and after feedback from union representatives and the medical advisory committee, the County elected to move forward with these recommendations. Changes include emergency room co-pays, annual deductibles, mental health coverage, domestic partner coverage, diabetic education and transplant maximum increases.

For any questions about any of these changes including the County’s Section 125 plan, please contact HR at ext. 56802 to get a full benefit packet.

Have a Great Holiday Season!

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

10/9/09 - Vote Passes

To all Whatcom Health District Nurses:

The vote for proposed Furlough and related Letter of Understanding took place Wednesday, September 30th. The vote passed by majority vote and nurses have already been proactive in facilitating this process.

A BIG thanks for all of your input into this process. Your questions and concerns have allowed your Local Unit Officers to consider all options and make informed decisions.

Sincere thanks again,

Edward Zercher, BSN RN
WSNA Nurse Representative
(206) 575-7979/(800) 231-8482, Extension 3022
FAX: (206) 575-1908
575 Andover Park West, Suite 101
Seattle, WA 98188
ezercher@wsna.org

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.

Tip: to save PDF documents to your computer, right click on the link and select "Save Target As..." or "Save Link As..." Select the location on your computer where you want to save the PDF file, and click "Save."