Building a worker-focused economy in Washington state

The WSLC Convention is an important opportunity for WSNA members to advance our goals, especially related to state law and advocacy. For example, in previous years, WSNA delegates secured statewide support for our safe staffing bill, which played an important role in its passage.  

This year, WSNA’s top priority was the resolution “Restoring Unions’ Standing to Represent Their Members in Court.”  

WSNA members have seen firsthand what it means when they can’t have the strength of their union fighting for them in court. In 2018, WSNA won a lawsuit on behalf of home health and hospice nurses in the Yakima County Superior Court with an award of $2.895 million in damages after nurses at the Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center were required to complete work off the clock and were forced to miss meal breaks.  

However, in a 5-4 ruling, the Washington Supreme Court later overturned that ruling. According to the narrow majority, WSNA lacked the “associational standing” to sue for the damages owed. This ruling harmed the nurses directly and indirectly harmed every worker in Washington state by setting a precedent that makes it harder for a union to represent workers in court.  

By passing WSNA’s resolution, WSLC committed to pursuing potential legislation in the 2027 legislative session to affirm unions’ standing to fight for workers in court.  

Over the two days, WSNA delegates took leadership in important panels and discussions.  

WSNA Labor Executive Council Chair Edna Cortez was on a panel at the session "Health Care: A Crisis with a Labor Solution." During a lively discussion on how universal care would benefit Washingtonians and raise the floor for collective bargaining, panelists were asked, “If you could say one thing for people to do, what would it be?” 

Cortez told attendees, “Healthcare is a universal need, and we need universal solutions. That has to start with legislation. Find out what legislative district you live in, find out who your elected officials are, and go talk to them. Make appointments, show up to their events, and attend their town hall meetings. Tell stories about your experience with the healthcare system, and talk to them about why we need universal care.”

WSNA Director of Legal Affairs Patrice Tisdale’s session, “Workplace Preparedness and Rapid Response,” discussed steps unions can take to prepare for immigration enforcement situations. The session focused on preparedness and protecting the rights of the workers and the communities WSNA members serve. 

In one of the most talked-about sessions, WSNA Director of Governmental Affairs Jessica Hauffe participated in a panel on how unionized workers can shape how artificial intelligence (AI) is deployed in the workplace. Hauffe emphasized that public policy and collective bargaining work alongside each other in shaping the future of work.  

“Public policy is setting the floor, and collective bargaining is setting the ceiling,” she said. 

WSNA Executive Director David Keepnews was honored by WSLC President April Sims and Secretary-Treasurer Cherika Carter as he stepped down as WSLC vice president due to his retirement. Under David’s leadership, WSNA has successfully won major laws to protect nurses, grown our membership, and built bigger and more powerful programs to support front-line health workers across Washington. 

WSNA delegates were inspired by AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, herself a Pacific Northwest native. During a fireside chat with WSLC President April Sims, Shuler said, “There is a better economy that we can build for working people, one that will work for us. Billionaires are robbing us, taking more and more of the wealth. We have the ability to write a new script.” 

WSNA members, leaders, and staff helped set the agenda for Washington labor at WSLC’s Constitutional Convention. Nurses and health professionals will continue to see the benefits over the coming years.