More Mary Bridge providers unionize. Nurses plan Tacoma picket in separate action

The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), which represents more than 1,100 registered nurses at Tacoma General and Mary Bridge, said in a release Jan. 16 that “cutting corners on safety hurts everyone in the long run.” At issue is a battle over wages as well as nurse-to-patient ratios and staffing plans, particularly in the NICU. “Babies in the NICU, for example, can get sick in a moment and nurses want to be sure they are not asked to care for more than three babies per nurse, as recommended by experts in neonatal care,” the release stated, fearing “worse outcomes” if nurses are pushed to take on more.