Contracts Are Here

July 18, 2008

Your New Contracts are Here!

Your new contract is ready to be picked up and it is in an exciting new format, a user friendly CD. This CD will contain your contract and much, much more: the nurse practice act, health and safety information, and links to several websites. Here is how you can get yours:

When: July 22nd, 2008
Where: Room #2024
Times: 0630-0730 or 1300-1530

If you have any questions please contact:
Debi Bessmer BSN, RN
WSNA Nurse Representative
1-800-231-8482 ext 3112
dbessmer@wsna.org

Contract Ratified

March 5, 2008

The contract has been ratified!

• Please thank your negotiating team for volunteering their time and doing such a great job.
• Your new contract will be arriving in a few weeks on an exciting new format, a user-friendly CD. This CD will contain your contract and much, much more: the nurse practice act, health and safety information, and links to several websites.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your WSNA Nurse Rep, Debi Bessmer, at 800-231-8482, Ex.t 3112.

Contract Ratification Vote

Date: March 4th, 2008
Time: 1330 - 1530
Place: Conference Room LL2

Come vote on your contract! Our attorney will be present to review the changes and answer any questions. You must be a member in good standing to vote.

Negotiations Updates

October 19, 2007

• On October 17th, WSNA and Management completed a fifth day of negotiations.  To date, Management has not provided a complete wage proposal.  Moreover, Management has refused to guarantee across-the-board increases in wages for each employee in each year of the contract and has rejected WSNA’s proposals that would guarantee each employee a raise every year for the next three years.  We think that every employee represented by WSNA at St. Luke's deserves a raise each year, just like the overwhelming majority of healthcare professionals that WSNA represents around the state receive each year.
• Management continues to propose that it be allowed to force employees to work 10 on 12 hour shifts and to deny those employees daily overtime if they work beyond 10 or 12 hours in a day.  We think that proposal is unfair.
• WSNA has proposed additional wage steps through year 30.  In its most recent counterproposal, Management included additional wage steps, but has refused to properly credit the years of experience of those employees at the top step.  The result of Management's proposal would be to pay any employee with more than 20 years experience the same as an employee with only 20 years of experience.  WSNA’s proposal would ensure that employees with a long relationship with St. Luke's get the proper credit for their years of experience.
• WSNA continues to propose that posted schedules can only be changed with the employee's consent or in the case of patient low census.  Management insists that it be allowed to change a posted schedule simply by giving five days notice via webmail to the effected employee.  WSNA believes that when a schedule is posted, Management should live up to its end of the bargain.  How does management expect its employees to plan their lives, arrange for childcare, schedule healthcare appointments or make social plans when schedules can be changed simply with 5 days notice?
• Our next bargaining session is scheduled for October 25th.

 

October 12, 2007

• Management has finally given us a wage proposal for the bedside RN’s only.  Management’s proposal is lower than ours and does not provide for any across-the-board increases after the first year of the contract.  We think the employees at St. Luke’s deserve guaranteed wage increases every year like almost every other health care worker we represent in Washington State.  What do you think?
• Do you like having your schedule changed without your consent?  We have proposed predictable schedules for a reasonable length so you can plan your life.
• Our next negotiation dates are October 17th and 25th. 
• Support your negotiation team by becoming a member.  Only members can vote on the contract.

 

September 28, 2007

WSNA is requesting guaranteed wage increases in each year of the contract for everyone in the bargaining unit.  We believe that every employee deserves a wage increase in each year of the contract and that the amount of the wage increases should be specified by the contract so that they can plan for the future.

To date, Management has not proposed any wage increases or any pay increases of any kind.  Moreover, Management has proposed that it be able to raise or lower the wage scale at its discretion during the life of the contract based on its determination of the local labor market, without the approval of the affected employees or the Association.

Management has proposed to remove all Case Managers, Infection Control Nurses, Patient Care Coordinators, Diabetic Educators, Cardiac Nurses and Social Workers from the bargaining unit, which means that these employees would not be covered by the collective bargaining agreement and would not have any rights under the contract whatsoever.  If Management has its way, these employees would not be able to file a grievance under the contract or go to arbitration if they were fired or treated unfairly in any way.  

Management has also proposed that it be able to be able to force employees to start working 10 or 12 hour workdays, even if the employee does not want to work that length of shift.  Also, these employees would NOT receive 1 1/2x pay for working more than 10 or 12 hours on a given day. 

Attend the Local Unit meeting October 3rd from 1300-1530 at the Quality Inn 110 E. Fourth Ave. (Just down the hill from St. Luke’s). We will direct you to the room from the lobby.

 

September 19, 2007

Contract Negotiations Have Started!

WSNA has presented its complete conceptual proposal to management.

Management did not have a single proposal prepared for the first day. They also were not ready to respond to any of our proposals.

Your negotiation team consists of Jim Favre, Lori Meduna, Jack Oyler, Alicia Ainsworth and Julie Skagen. Please support your team!

Our upcoming negotiation dates are: September 20th, 27th, October 11th, 25th.