Chair
Hannah Collins-Lewis
Officers
Vice Chair
Michael Salters
Secretary
Kimberly Travis-Carter
Treasurer
Samuel Asencio
Grievance Officer
Andrew Kelly
Grievance Officer
Open
Grievance Officer
Kim Adekoya
WSNA staff contact
WSNA staff contact
Sara Frey, JD, BSN, RN
Nurse Representative
Social media
Contract
Latest update
Update on Break Buddy Settlement Agreement
Posted Mar 16, 2026
WSNA recently reached a settlement for the Break Buddies and Charge Nurse grievances. The settlement included a promise that the Hospital would add “Additional Staffing [ ] equivalent to 16.2 new FTE” for the purpose of staffing some units and shifts with dedicated break relief. Importantly, these nurses are to be in addition to the nurses required in the hospital staffing plan. It was agreed break relief would be an assignment, not a position.
The Settlement provided for a gradual phase in, with the Hospital agreeing to post new positions within 60 days, to begin scheduling additional staff for the Break Flex role within 90 days, and to begin tracking the time spent in the Break Flex role to ensure that 16.2 FTE worth of new staffing was being spent on break relief. We are currently at Day 59. Starting on April 16 (90 days from the date the settlement was executed), 16.2 FTE of additional staffing to support the break relief role must be pre-scheduled, in accordance with existing department scheduling guidelines and the CBA.
Virginia Mason has conveyed that it only intends to hire 11 new RNs – equivalent to 9.9 FTEs. WSNA believes that this does not fulfill VM’s obligation to provide 16.2 FTE of new staffing for break relief and has filed a grievance over the inadequate number of postings. VM insists that it will somehow be able to fill the 16.2 FTE’s worth of additional staffing for break relief with only 9.9 new FTEs. WSNA disagrees, and will continue to hold VM accountable.
Please stay tuned for further updates, and reach out to your local unit officers or to Sara Frey (sfrey@wsna.org) to share any updates from your unit.
Previous updates
News and Updates
Jan 30, 2026
It is time to get ready for negotiations!
Jan 20, 2026
DEDICATED BREAK RELIEF NURSES are coming to VMMC! - Arbitration settlement.
Jan 16, 2026
ALERT! Are you being paid correctly?
Oct 24, 2025
UPDATES - information you need to know!
Sep 23, 2025
Attention Charge Nurses - Survey
Aug 08, 2025
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Resources and tools
Document unsafe conditions
If you find yourself in a situation that you believe creates unsafe conditions for patients or for you, you should complete a Staffing Complaint / ADO Form as soon as possible.
By completing the form, you will help make the problem known to management, creating an opportunity for the problem to be addressed. Additionally, you will be documenting the facts, which may be helpful to you later if there is a negative outcome.
WSNA also uses your ADO forms to track the problems occurring in your facility. When you and your coworkers take the important step of filling out an ADO form, you are helping to identify whether there is a pattern of unsafe conditions for you or your patients at your facilities. This information is used by your conference committee, staffing committee, and WSNA labor staff to improve your working conditions.
Representation rights
As a union member, you have the right to have a representative present in any meetings with management that could potentially lead to disciplinary action against you.
If called into a meeting with management, read the following to management when the meeting begins:
If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, I respectfully request that my union representative be present at this meeting. Without representation present, I choose not to participate in this discussion.
Find out more about this crucial right and how to exercise it to ensure your fair treatment and protection.
Continuing education offerings
Enhance your professional competency with WSNA's free online courses.
Earn CNE contact hours through topics like Cultural Humility, Telehealth Assessment, Workplace Violence Prevention, and more. Convenient and self-paced, our courses provide practical knowledge for your daily work. Expand your skills and stay up-to-date with the latest nursing practices.