Washington State Nurses Association -Local Units

PeaceHealth Lower Columbia Region

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Contract

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Rules

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Contacts

Local Unit Officers

Chair:
Jeanne Avey LUC Intensive Care Nights
(360) 425-0531
honeybear_57@msn.com

Vice-Chair:
Open

Secretary:
Open

Grievance Officer:
Connie Ramos
Special Care Nursery
(503) 556-1154 (Home)
mamaramosaur@hotmail.com

WSNA Staff Nurse Representative

Patricia L. McClure, RN
206-575-7979, Ext. 3110

Contract Negotiations News

11/4/2008 - LOW CENSUS MEETINGS

If the increase in low census is of concern to you, please plan on attending one of the following meetings. We heard you loud and clear that there is too much of this going on. If you can come prepared to give us specifics, that would be very helpful.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2008
0630-0800 - Conf. Room to be announced
1400-1600 - Conf. Room C
1830-2030 - Conf. Room C

10/24/2008 - Ratification Vote

Mark your calendars with NOVEMBER 3rd for the vote on the Proposed Contract Agreement.

You will have the opportunity to vote at the following times and places.
6:30 am until 9:00 am in Conference Room F, down stairs by the cafeteria
2:30 pm until 4:00 pm in Conference Room B
5:00 pm until 8:30 pm in Conference Room E

David Campbell, attorney, will be present to go over the Proposal and answer any of your questions.

2/29/2008

Can you believe it is again time to negotiate your contract with the hospital?
Your Local Unit Officers will be on the negotiating team. We need to have at least one
nurse from every nursing unit. A nurse who has the first hand knowledge of your concerns and can speak to your issues. Think about getting involved in the process of negotiations. It is a great learning experience!

We are also in need of Unit Representatives from every area for the same reasons as cited above. You have Jeanne Avey, Robin Larsen, Marilyn Patterson, Debbie Ward, Connie Ramos and Mary Parker as your Local Unit Officers. It is not hard to understand why we need Unit Reps to help fill in the gaps. We need YOU to be involved. It only takes about a couple of hours a month to be a Local Unit Rep. You are the eyes and ears of the Local Unit. The officers cannot be everywhere.

Call Jeanne Avey, Robin Larsen, Marilyn Patterson, Debbie Ward, Connie Ramos or Mary Parker, if you are interested in getting involved.

Document Library

Newsletter

Sept 2008 (65KB)
Feb 2006 (80KB)

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

Labor Studies School

IT IS FREE! Classes start in September 2008 thru June 2009.
Three tracks are available with a variety of classes! Classes include:

What does the law say about Unions?
What is a grievance and what does it mean to me?
What are negotiations and how do they work?
What do Local Unit Officers do?

You can choose a track or mix and match classes to meet your interests! For info or to register check on line at www.wsna.org/labor/labor-studies-school or call 1-800-231-8482, ext. 3011

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.

Resources from ANA

ANA's "The Importance of Belonging" (PDF; 817KB)

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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