Nurses head into Federal Mediation for new contract July 26 and 27
WHAT: “Caring for Our Community” BBQ and Rally. Let’s bring community voices and values back to Yakima Regional!
WHO: The 200 nurses of Yakima Regional and their supporters in the community. Speakers include:
- Yakima Mayor Avina Gutiérrez
- Yakima City Councilmember Dulce Gutiérrez
- WSNA President Jan Bussert, BSN, RN
- WSNA Director of Labor Christine Himmelsbach, MN, RN
WHEN: Monday, July 25, 4 to 7 p.m. (speakers beginning at 5 p.m.)
WHERE: Milroy Park, 1520 West Lincoln Ave, Yakima
WHY: It’s time to take our community hospital back!
The registered nurses at Yakima Regional are here for our community, and we always will be. Many of us remember what it was like when the owners of Yakima Regional really cared about this community. Like you, we want that back.
As nurses, at the bedside every hour of every day, we have seen firsthand the damaging impacts of CHS’s focus on profits over patients. We want an owner who will put patients and the community first. The RNs stand with the Yakima community in calling for a process for the sale of Yakima Regional that gives top consideration to the needs of patients and the community.
The WSNA-represented registered nurses at Yakima Regional head back to the negotiating table July 26 and 27. Negotiations for a new contract began February 18 – before news broke about CHS’s intent to sell the hospital. The current contract expired on March 31, and we are now in federal mediation.
In our contract negotiations, we’re fighting for what our patients and our community need. Our community needs a nurses’ contract that will keep our devoted, experienced nurses at Yakima Regional, caring for patients and working towards a smooth transition to new ownership.
About WSNA
WSNA is the leading voice and advocate for nurses in Washington state, providing union representation and trainings that allow nurses to reach their full professional potential and focus on caring for patients. WSNA represents more than 17,000 registered nurses who provide care in hospitals, clinics, schools and community and public health settings across the state. For more than 100 years, WSNA has championed issues that support nurses, advance professional standards and improve the health of individuals and families in Washington.