The staff nurses met virtually with the County for our fifth bargaining session on May 8. Yet again, we did not receive a response to our proposal to build out a 30-step wage scale with annual increases every year - only a suggestion that a response might come to us by mid-May. We understand that the analysis of our economic proposal requires the County to engage in a significant body of work, yet they have known since spring of 2023 that the adoption of industry and market standard wage scale are priority number ONE for the WSNA nurses! King County public health nurses deserve to have their experience recognized and compensated just like every other employer in King County!

Time is NOT on the side of the County with these delays. Preliminary budgets are determined this month! All the effort your WSNA team has demonstrated since the three Longevity Workgroup sessions in spring of 2024, in addition to the robust analyses and presentations regarding these priorities only emphasizes that WE are serious about gaining a strong, fair contract with the County – one that includes a full wage scale with recognition for experience at every step. The County has yet to show us this level of commitment. Come on County…. We made our economic proposals in February!

If you are as frustrated as your team with this lack of movement by the County, we call upon each of you to TAKE ACTION!

Be an observer on May 15 when we return to the bargaining table at 9 am, in-person at the Chinook building. Nurses who are not on shift are welcome to observe negotiations and support your team! Maybe you cannot come the entire day and that is ok. Contact a team member or Nurse Representative Tara Barnes at tbarnes@wsna.org and we will provide the details and guidelines to join.

We will be taking real-time action that day! The nurses are invited to make it a powerful one. Stay tuned for details early next week 😊.

Submit your statement of support for the MOST important priorities to gain strong, fair contract language. Your team asks for as many submissions that will speak to the critical needs that are being fought for. Bring YOUR voice to the bargaining table for the benefit of all the staff nurses by sharing your perspective on one of these important issues:

1. Industry and market standard wage scale up to 31 steps!
2. Provisions of your rights and protections regarding meal and rest breaks, workplace violence and non-retaliation for raising safety and staffing concerns for the benefit of patient/client care and your professional license.
3. Continuation of reduced parking rates for KCCF nurses at Goat Hill.

We remain far apart from the County on economics, break relief, workplace violence and staffing concerns. The County is not warming up to our KCCF parking proposal. That alone would have a huge impact on safety and affordability. Don’t you agree? As we continue to escalate our actions in this cycle of negotiations, it is crucial to bring YOUR collective voice to the table. The team will share the statement and/or story but not any names with the County. Do not delay! Here is the link to quickly and easily submit a statement: https://forms.office.com/r/S04z0pf6M7

In unity,

Elena Schensted NFP Columbia City PH Center, Chair
Stephen Lee RJC, Vice-Chair
Tami Nesler RJC, Grievance officer
Kiesha Garcia-Stubbs NFP Downtown PH Center, Grievance officer 
Carolyn Clark KCCF, Grievance officer

WSNA Nurse Representative: Tara Barnes tbarnes@wsna.org

REMINDER!

We look forward to celebrating with you with dinner and gifts for the WSNA staff nurses!

Join us on Monday, May 12 for dinner and prizes on us!

The Olive Garden in Tukwila

310 Strander Blvd Tukwila, WA 98188

Seating begins at 5:45 pm. Space is limited to 40 attendees. We would appreciate a RSVP and welcome any questions about the event  to Nurse Representative Tara Barnes tbarnes@wsna.org