Let’s talk about the power of one. I know that sounds counterintuitive coming from a union organizer because the whole concept of a union is based on the coming together of individuals for a common purpose. Uniting for a cause. Working together for the greater good. But, I’d like you to think for a minute and ask yourself what the common denominator is in any union? Answer: It’s members.
On Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, we flew to Ketchikan, Alaska to show support for our fellow PeaceHealth nurses who were negotiating their new union contract. They reached a tentative agreement at the end of the month.
In a major victory for home health and hospice nurses, Yakima county Superior Court Judge Blaine Gibson today awarded damages of $2.895 million to home care nurses at Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center for work done off the clock.
NFN celebrates its history and plans for the future.
This attack did not originally target nurses, but instead, public union workers. Regardless, it’s going to impact our practice.
These fearless nurses, nominated by their peers, received awards at WSNA’s Leadership Conference in late September 2017.
What you need to know about Janus v. AFSCME.
When we stand together as union nurses, we have the power to win a fair return on our work and conditions that allow us to provide better care to our patients.
"Have you ever wondered why some people are better communicators than others? I have an idea that I believe explains this phenomenon."
Facing wind, rain and commuters, registered nurses from Overlake Hospital and their supporters lined the I-405 overpass at NE 10th Street in Bellevue at rush hour yesterday to let the community know about unsafe management proposals that could directly impact patient care.
The Public Health Insider blog, produced by Public Health - Seattle & King County, featured WSNA member Tina Maestas for National Public Health Week (April 3-7th). Tina is a Public Health Nurse based in Renton, one of seven Seattle & King County Public Health Nurses whose offices are located inside a “CSO” – a state office where people can apply for assistance with cash, food, child support, disability and other services.
After more than a year of grueling negotiations, the WSNA nurses at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital won a groundbreaking contract that for the first time in Washington state includes specific nurse-to-patient ratios.
By Ruth Schubert, APR, Director of Marketing and Communications
Under the terms of the settlement, St. Joseph will pay nurses $5 million in back pay for missed meal and rest breaks. St. Joseph also will establish a “block break relief” system to ensure that nurses are afforded uninterrupted rest periods, and the hospital committed to hiring an additional 26 break relief nurses to safely care for patients while other nurses take their rest and meal breaks.
After making little progress in mediation Tuesday, the WSNA-represented Registered Nurses at Tacoma General Hospital are planning a strike advisory vote for December 16, two days after the next scheduled mediation session.
TACOMA--(Nov. 14, 2016) The WSNA-represented nurses at Tacoma General Hospital head back into mediation tomorrow demanding that the hospital address the severe, chronic staffing concerns that imperil patient safety at the hospital. Management’s deceptive “bargaining summary” prompts new Unfair Labor Practice charge. “No Voluntary Overtime, No Voluntary Extra Shifts” job action, which started Nov. 10, is having an impact, with nurses reporting receiving hundreds of text messages over the weekend begging them to come in.
TACOMA – (Nov. 7, 2016) After 11 months at the bargaining table, the registered nurses at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital will not take voluntary overtime or extra shifts Nov. 10-17. This concerted union action is in response to MultiCare’s ongoing illegal actions against the nurses, as well as its refusal to address staffing issues and break coverage in a way that supports the safe care of patients at the hospital.
A Tacoma General physician filed an unfair labor practice charge against MultiCare and WON! That's why you're seeing these official Notices around the hospital promising not to interfere with YOUR RIGHTS under the National Labor Relations Act.
SEATTLE – (July 8, 2016) The registered nurses at the University of Washington Medical Center voted by a significant majority to add Fair Share Membership language to the collective bargaining agreement that covers the 1,600 registered nurses who work there.
In January, 2016, an arbitrator ordered MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital to cease using the “break buddy system.” MultiCare responded by filing a lawsuit in federal court to get the “final and binding” decision overturned, and has put proposals on the negotiating table to invalidate everything WSNA fought for - and won - in court.
On March 29, the U.S. Supreme Court, down to eight justices after the death of Antonin Scalia, split 4-4 on the Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case. The split decision affirms a lower-court ruling that allows public-employee unions to continue collecting “fair share membership” dues for those it represents who decline to join the union.
An arbitrator decided that the "break buddy" system in use at MultiCare Tacoma General doesn't give nurses a real rest break.
Nurses at Kadlec Medical Center, along with community supporters, gathered on Monday for a candlelight vigil. Contract negotiations have been ongoing for the last seven months. Here are some stories by media outlets covering the event.
The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in a case that could dramatically erode the ability of public-sector unions to fight for better wages and working conditions for their members.
An overwhelming majority – 90 percent of the hundreds of Kadlec RNS who voted – said "yes" in the Strike Advisory Vote WSNA held during two membership meetings held Dec. 8, 2015.
