“I have been working at Central since 2006 and currently work in the ED. I have participated in contract bargaining for more than 12 years and now serve as the WSNA membership officer, welcoming new hires into the union. In my nearly 40-year nursing career, I have worked in Yakima, Bellevue, with Airlift Northwest, and at both Central and Mares. One thing I have learned over all these years is that I would never want to work at a hospital without unionized nurses.

When I first came to Wenatchee in 1999, I was confused by the existence of two separate hospitals in one small town. We should have been combined long ago. For example, when electronic charting was first adopted, two separate systems were chosen. Being so disjointed for so long has not benefited nurses—or the community. While progress has been slow, it is encouraging to see nursing becoming more united.

That said, unity does not require uniformity in every detail. Mares operates differently, and their vacation scheduling process reflects a system that has worked well in their setting. It does not affect Central nurses in any way. Allowing this difference is not about granting special treatment; it is about recognizing operational realities while staying united and protecting the integrity of the core contract.

Strong unions succeed by setting shared standards while allowing practical flexibility where it causes no harm. In the long run, a unified contract prevents management from dividing nurses, raises overall working conditions, and ensures future improvements are won together—not at the expense of one another.

Solidarity, even when it accommodates reasonable differences, ultimately benefits everyone. We all deserve a seat at the table. Strength in numbers leads to safer staffing, better pay, and protections we simply would not have without a union.

As individuals, our voices are often not heard. When we come together, our voices amplify.

Please read our newsletters as they arrive in your email and stay informed.” 

-Paul Molenaar, ED RN at Central