Over the past 10 months, your bargaining team has been working with the employer to get the best contract possible. Your voice has been heard. The tentative agreement has been ratified by a majority vote of WSNA nurses. This decision reflects the strength of our democratic process and our shared commitment to standing together as a union.

The new contract wages will go into full effect on the next full pay period following ratification.

We know nurses felt strongly about this vote.  For some of us, ratification is a relief. For others, it may feel like we have unfinished business. And that’s okay. Every step forward we’ve taken in this fight has been because nurses showed up, stood together, and demanded better, not just for ourselves, but for our patients and our profession. We aren’t stopping any of those things anytime soon.

Our new contract includes important wins that only came because nurses acted. From the elimination of 5-ghost steps, decreased hours for part-time and per-dem nurses to get annual step increases, as well as a health benefits committee, the new language in this agreement moves us forward. It’s not perfect. No contract is. That’s why we’re not going to stop pushing for more.

We are proud of what we accomplished together, and we are already preparing for the next phase: enforcement, implementation, and continued organizing. Our solidarity doesn’t end with this vote will grow with every shift we work, every grievance we file, every committee meeting we pack with observers, and every new nurse we bring into our movement.

Thank you to every nurse who spoke up, showed up, and cast a vote. You are the union—and we’re just getting started.

Our fight isn’t over. It’s just beginning. Join us next week to learn about what’s next.

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Stephenie Troftgruben at stroftgruben@wsna.org.