American Medical Response

Per our notice of Feb. 22, 2019, the contract with AMR was ratified on Feb. 21. We have finally received the signed copy of the contract from the employer, and it is now available online for you to view.

Thank you all again for your support of your bargaining team and your patience.

Questions? Contact your Local Unit Officer, Dave McClure, RN

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WSNA Nurse Rep Terri Williams, MS, RN

twilliams@wsna.org or 206-575-7979, ext. 3058 / fax: 206-575-1908

It’s time to elect your WSNA local unit officers! You may submit your own name or you may nominate another nurse. In order to be a candidate on the ballot, one must be a WSNA member in good standing and be willing to run for a position. We are seeking nominations for:

(2) Co-Chairs -OR- (1) Chair
Secretary/Treasurer
Grievance Officer

Dave McClure has been your local unit officer for the last three years. Our unit “rules” allow up to four officers. Email your nominations for officer positions to twilliams@wsna.org no later than March 11, 2019. State the name of the RN being nominated and the position for which they are being nominated. We will contact each nominee to get your approval regarding running for the position(s).

Ballots will be mailed to all members following the close of the nomination period.

In solidarity!

Local Unit Officer Dave McClure, RN (Chair) and WSNA Nurse Rep Terri Williams, MS, RN (twilliams@wsna.org / 206-575-7979, ext. 3058)

The dedication and commitment of Dave McClure representing all of you (along with the WSNA attorney and nurse reps) has paid off.

We conducted a vote on Feb. 21 that yielded an overwhelming YES vote. As you know, we were able to secure a fantastic contract for the next 3 years.

The full contract will be available online later this month. You can view the contract summary here.

We will be holding nominations and elections for new local unit officers in the next few weeks. Nomination forms will arrive in your mail soon. Remember you can nominate yourself for any position as long as you are a WSNA member in good standing.

Thank you all again for showing your support of your bargaining team's hard work. We are strongest when we stand united.

Questions? Contact Local Unit Officer Dave McClure, RN, WSNA Nurse Rep Terri Williams, MS, RN at twilliams@wsna.org / 206-575-7979, ext. 3058 or out-going WSNA Nurse Rep Ed Zercher, BSN, RN at ezercher@wsna.org / 206-575-7979 ext. 3022.

Reposting the following significant gains:

• Annual raises: Year One - 4% (retroactive to January 1), Year Two - 4%, Year Three -3.25%;
• Recognition of 1:1 parity for years of experience up to 10 years for all newly hired RNs and currently employed RNs with proof of relevant experience (within 90 days of contract ratification);
• Addition of Step 27 starting Jan. 2020;
• New weekend differential of $3.00/hour;
• Increase in night shift differential rate to $3.00 and hours to 1900 – 0700;
• Return of HSA employer contribution starting 2020;
• Expanded use of professional funds for equipment;
• The ability for new hires to access accrued vacation time after 6 months instead of 1 year; and,
• Accelerated vacation accrual for existing RNs.

In addition to the above economic gains, the parties agreed to modify the existing grievance procedure.

In Solidarity!

Local Unit Chair Dave McClure, RN
WSNA Nurse Rep Terri Williams, MS, RN (twilliams@wsna.org)
WSNA Nurse Rep Ed Zercher, BSN, RN (ezercher@wsna.org)

We have made the following significant gains:

• Annual raises: Year One - 4% (retroactive to January 1), Year Two - 4%, Year Three -3.25%;
• Recognition of 1:1 parity for years of experience up to 10 years for all newly hired RNs and currently employed RNs with proof of relevant experience (within 90 days of contract ratification);
• Addition of Step 27 starting Jan. 2020;
• New weekend differential of $3.00 hour;
• Increase in night shift differential rate to $3.00 and hours to 1900 – 0700;
• Return of HSA employer contribution starting 2020;
• Expanded use of professional funds for equipment;
• The ability for new hires to access accrued vacation time after 6 months instead of 1 year; and,
• Accelerated vacation accrual for existing RNs.

In addition to the above economic gains, the parties agreed to modify the existing grievance procedure.

In Solidarity!

Dave McClure, RN, Local Unit Chair
WSNA Nurse Rep Terri Williams, MS, RN
WSNA Nurse Rep Ed Zercher, BSN, RN

We are thrilled to inform you of what we believe to be a fantastic agreement. We have made the following significant gains:

• Annual raises: Year One - 4% (retroactive to January 1), Year Two - 4%, Year Three -3.25%;
• Recognition of 1:1 parity for years of experience up to 10 years for all newly hired RNs and currently employed RNs with proof of relevant experience (within 90 days of contract ratification);
• Addition of Step 27 starting Jan. 2020;
• New weekend differential of $3.00 hour;
• Increase in night shift differential rate to $3.00 and hours to 1900 – 0700;
• Return of HSA employer contribution starting 2020;
• Expanded use of professional funds for equipment;
• Ability for new hires to access accrued vacation time after 6 months instead of 1 year;
• Accelerated vacation accrual for existing RNs.

In addition to the above economic gains, the parties agreed to modify the existing grievance procedure.

Questions? Contact a negotiation team member or WSNA Nurse Rep Terri Williams at twilliams@wsna.org.

While we all want to be supportive of the Teamsters during their pending strike, it is important to remember what we can and cannot do. Under Section 17.01 of our contract:

• We cannot refuse to cross the picket line. You must continue to perform your duties.
• We cannot join the picket line – even on your own time!
• We cannot engage in any kind of slow down
• We cannot establish a sick-out

Nurses who engage in any of these activities place themselves at risk for termination of your employment.

During the strike, we can remain informed about ongoing developments. Your WSNA staff and local leaders are in contact with the Teamsters. We are consulting with them about steps we can all take that are within the parameters of Section 17.01. Please stay tuned! Together, we will help our EMT sisters and brothers win the contract that they deserve.

If you have any questions, contact me, WSNA Nurse Representative Terri Williams, MS, RN, at twilliams@wsna.org.

What does this mean for AMR registered nurses?

Our contract language determines what you can and cannot do. As a result, WSNA must recommend that all registered nurses, in the event of a strike, report to their designated areas as assigned. Registered nurses are not allowed to boycott their duties or refuse to cross the picket line.

While nurses will continue to have to perform their duties, we want Teamsters to feel supported and receive a fair contract. The members, leaders and staff of WSNA will work to assist in every way possible so that they have a positive outcome.

For questions specific to the Teamster’s strike and your role, please contact WSNA Nurse Representative Terri Williams, MS, RN at twilliams@wsna.org.

In Unity,

Terri Williams, MS, RN and Ed Zercher, BSN, RN
WSNA Nurse Representatives

Please welcome WSNA Nurse Representative Terri Williams, MS, RN. Beginning Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, Terri will be taking over all new issues as they arise at American Medical Response. I will finish up most of the outstanding matters to their conclusion and assist Terri in the coming months, as needed.

Terri can be reached at twilliams@wsna.org or 206-575-7979, ext. 3058.

It has been a pleasure working with all of the AMR RNs. I am continuing my work here at WSNA as a nurse representative with a few new assignments. I will miss the AMR nurses but know you will be in good hands with Terri.

All my best to you,

Ed Zercher, BSN, RN
WSNA Nurse Rep
206-575-7979, ext. 3022
ezercher@wsna.org

Your WSNA negotiation team of registered nurses has met with AMR management and administration for our first scheduled bargaining session on Tuesday, Nov. 20.

Both sides exchanged initial proposals and had discussions around those proposals. Our next bargaining date is scheduled for Jan. 22 and 23. We will have lengthy discussions around economics at that time and have more to share with the bargaining unit.

It is not too late to be a part of the negotiation team representing you and your colleagues on important contract issues!

If you have questions, comments or concerns about our contract, please contact Nurse Representative Ed Zercher at ezercher@wsna.org.

In unity,

Your WSNA Negotiation Team of Registered Nurses

We, your WSNA negotiation team, have met for a second time on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

Together with WSNA Attorney Lane Toensmeier and Representative Ed Zercher, we went through the contract and surveys and further narrowed our priorities for our upcoming bargaining sessions.

We were not only able to identify several of our priorities but we also now have a strategy in place to ensure an outcome that all RNs will be able to support.

We want you to know that it is your feedback and survey responses that are directing our priorities and decisions.

United we bargain, divided we beg.

In solidarity,

Your 2018 WSNA Negotiations Team: Dave McClure, RN and Mark Strohbusch, RN

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Ed Zercher at ezercher@wsna.org.

We are thrilled that four RNs have expressed interest in being on this year’s negotiation team. We reviewed the survey responses, considered recent grievances and ULP as part of this comprehensive review. We also reviewed the current contract looking for articles in need of updating.

A big thanks to Dave McClure for his contributions to our discussions.

Your priorities are driven by your survey responses, the recent history of employer application of contract and one-on-one conversations with members and leaders. We will be meeting with WSNA attorney Lane Toensmeier in the next couple of weeks to set priorities and set a bargaining strategy.

We are looking at dates in late November to begin negotiations with the employer.

Feel free to reach out to WSNA Representative Ed Zercher at ezercher@wsna.org with any questions or concerns that you may have.

The current contract between WSNA and American Medical Response expires Dec. 31, 2018. This survey is the first step in our preparation for contract negotiations. Your input is critical in determining our priorities as we head to the bargaining table. It is vital that we know your issues and concerns prior to the start of the negotiations.

Take a moment to complete this survey now. The survey can be found here and has been sent to all members via email. The power of representation comes from the willingness of registered nurses to unite; our strength is in unity! Remember, in order for WSNA to be an effective, strong, influential voice for you at the negotiation table, we need your support and involvement.

For additional questions or concerns, please contact WSNA Nurse Representative Ed Zercher at ezercher@wsna.org.

Surveys need to be completed by 5 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 19.