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Quick News You Can Use
Posted Feb 23, 2024
Officer nominations are now open!
Please use the link to nominate yourself or your coworkers for WSNA officer positions. Nominations will close on March 11, 2024.
Committee Updates
Conference Committee (2/19/2024)
We are currently discussing temporary pool positions which have been filled for more than six months. Temporary positions that have exceeded this time frame can no longer be temporary and per article 6.8.1 of your collective bargaining agreement:
“Management will review the temporary position(s) at the end of the six (6) month period, and if the position is to continue indefinitely, will post the position as a “permanent position” opening. Temporary positions that become permanent may not be merely awarded to the “incumbent” without posting.”
We have requested a side-by-side comparison of healthcare plans from last year to this year. We have been informed that the books have not been printed as of the time of request.
We addressed concerns brought forward by pool nurses who had marked they were available for a holiday but were not worked or scheduled. Your WSNA grievance officer Brittney Lamb, and fellow pool nurses have advocated for these nurses to be credited. If we are unable to reach resolution, we will proceed to ensure nurses are compensated to the terms of the contract.
Thank you to Christy Monnot and Simon Morton for volunteering to represent for health and retirement benefit committees.
Nurse Staffing Committee (2/19/2024)
We’ve got our work cut out for us. The new staffing law gives your nurse staffing committee a very short timeline to prepare staffing plans and a new charter. Your WSNA NSC representatives are as listed:
Co-Chair – Simon Morton
OR/GI/Cath Lab – Maddie Orr/Open alternate
PCU – Open
MOU – Karen Doiron/Open alternate
ICU – Daniel Myers/Isaiah Ray
ER – Brittney Lamb/Jessica Culbertson
Peds/NICU – Peggy Griffith/Tina Thompson
Labor and Delivery – Ashley Mulanax/Michelle Barker
ACU – Jaylene Spitler/Open alternate
Resource – Open
Case Management – Maria Soto/Open
If you are interested in serving as a nurse staffing committee representative and are a member in good standing, please reach out to Simon Morton, WSNA nurse staffing co-chair.
Updates – Grievances and Arbitration
Pool nurses step grievance was argued, we are holding timeline currently for a settlement discussion. If we are unable to reach a settlement for this grievance, we will continue by week of 3/11 in grievance presentation. (Pending Confluence availability.)
SOU staffing grievance was argued, WSNA membership officer, and nurse staffing co-chair Simon Morton was present as we detailed the impact nurses and patients with the current workload demands.
Day two of the arbitration for nurses who were placed on unpaid leave of absence after being granted accommodation for religious or medical reasons was conducted in Wenatchee on 2/21/2024.
WSNA council presented the union’s position on this grievance. Briefs (written arguments) must be filed with the arbitrator by Confluence and WSNA by April 26, 2024.
We expect no decisions from the arbitrator for approximately three months after briefs are submitted and will update you once we have the ruling from the arbitrator.
Changes to L&I
As of January 1, 2024, registered nurses who work for Washington State will now qualify for PTSD L&I benefits and compensation under L&I.
For information about mental health and the workplace from L&I you can visit this site: https://lni.wa.gov/safety-health/safety-topics/topics/mental-health-in-the-workplace
As a WSNA member you are also entitled to AFT trauma counseling. You can learn more about your benefits to this service through AFT here: Trauma Counseling Programs and Services | American Federation of Teachers (aft.org)
Staffing Incentives
We have approached and will continue to advocate for staffing incentives, however at this time we have been informed by Confluence that they do not have a desire or see a need to offer incentives above what is contractually offered through your collective bargaining agreement.
Upcoming Events
Central – Nurse Staffing Committee and Conference Committee March 18.
Mares – Negotiation session 8 on February 29, 2024
Important legislative priorities to watch:
ARNP PAYMENT REIMBURSEMENT PARITY
SB 5373 / HB 1495
KEEP OUR CARE ACT
SB 5241 / HB 1263
For more information on WSNA 2024 legislative priorities visit: Legislative session - WSNA
Questions?
Contact your nurse representative Shawn Mork, sreed@wsna.org or 206-620-4246.
Previous updates
Quick news you can use
Jan 17, 2024
MU1 Update
Dec 12, 2023
Reminder – Local Unit Meeting
Nov 14, 2023
Quick news you can use
Nov 08, 2023
Quick News You Can Use
Aug 30, 2023
Quick News You Can Use
Aug 18, 2023
Upcoming event
2024 Union Leadership Conference - SOLD OUT
Join nurses from around the state as we convene to learn, build, celebrate and strategize.
WSNA union news
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.
Visit cne.wsna.org to access our courses and earn CNE contact hours.