Cost of living increases

Nurses have been reaching out about the cost-of-living increase.  Step and cost of living increases generally take effect on the first full pay period following the date identified in your contract. Because the last pay period started on Aug 31, one day shy of the Sept 1 increase, it did not occur during that pay period. You should see your raise on this next paycheck. If you don't, please contact your nurse rep ASAP.  CHECK YOUR PAY STUB - ALWAYS!

Step increases

A number of nurses have not received their step increase when they should occur which is on your hire date per the CBA.  We have had some other strange occurrences such as a nurse getting part of their pay at their old step and part at the new step. It is important that you carefully check your pay, every pay period. Nurses are also having a difficult time with getting payroll or HR to respond. You should reach out to your nurse rep ASAP if you encounter pay issues.

Baylor nurses 

We are aware that Baylor nurses are getting dinged (deprived) of their Baylor pay for incidental undertime which is a violation of our Actual Timekeeping MOU and the Baylor MOU.  We were attempting to allow HR to resolve the matter but are moving forward with a grievance due to the lack of resolution.  Please contact WSNA if you have been affected.

Actual timekeeping

Please be familiar with the new Actual Timekeeping MOU. You should not be disciplined or deprived of pay such as shift differentials or other because of incidental under or overtime. If you have some under or overtime, make a note of why it happened and keep track. Again, it is really important that you check your pay stubs.  WSNA would like to hear from nurses if you have experienced any issues with the new timekeeping such as lines to clock in or out, loss of pay, conversations with managers about "rules" they have come up with around clocking in and out that do not appear in the MOU.  For nurses in procedure areas like surgery, cath lab, etc. who don and doff required hospital scrubs, you have 8 minutes on each side of your shift to change. Let WSNA know ASAP if you are being told otherwise.   The MOU can be found at https://cdn.wsna.org/assets/local-unit-assets/virginia-mason-medical-center/VMMC-MOU-Actual_Timekeeping-9-20-2024.pdf.

Conversations with your manager and/or director 

We are aware that nurses are being asked to speak with their manager about attendance and other matters. We are also aware that not all managers are being appropriately responsive when nurses ask if it is an investigatory meeting, saying things like "it is an awareness conversation" which does not answer the question.  If you are called to a meeting, you need to ask, "Is this an investigatory meeting and could what we discuss lead to discipline?" You have rights (Weingarten) when it comes to investigatory meetings.  If a manager refuses to answer yes or no, you should state you would like a union representative and will attend the meeting, however, you will not respond to questions until you have an opportunity to arrange for a rep to attend with you.  If the answer is yes, you are entitled to a rep and should do the same. If the answer is no, then you can proceed. An investigatory meeting is any time you are asked why you did or didn't do something, why you said something, etc., and whatever is discussed, could lead to disciplinary action.  Even probationary employees and nurses in a residency are entitled to a rep.  If you have already spoken to a manager and were given a document at or following the meeting, you should reach out to your union rep ASAP to determine if it is discipline.

Questions? Concerns? Need assistance?  Contact one of your officers or Nurse Rep Sara Frey sfrey@wsna.org

Hannah Collins-Lewis – Chair
Michael Salters - Vice Chair
Kimberly Travis-Carter – Secretary
Andrew Kelly - Grievance officer
Kim Adekoya - Grievance officer