After 15 bargaining sessions with MultiCare, we’ve come closer to a deal – but the constant delay, misleading conversations, and refusal to engage in discussions with our team have stretched negotiations on far longer than they needed to be. MultiCare has spent months trying to dissolve our additional staffing resources in negotiations. They’re still proposing wages lower than Tacoma General. And they won’t budge on a ratification bonus to account for the 3+ months our contract has been expired. 

This isn’t acceptable to us. Let’s show MultiCare that the numbers are on our side. On July 24, we’ll be holding an advisory vote before our bargaining session on July 27. This advisory vote is our way of telling MultiCare that nurses will not accept an unfair contract – no matter how much they continue to delay getting a deal. An advisory vote is not a binding ratification vote, but will ask the question: Will you vote yes on any deal that removes your guaranteed free flex and free charge as a contract right? 

We know that the answer is a resounding NO from Good Sam nurses, but MultiCare seems to think otherwise. Show them that we are united in our demands for safe staffing resources. Make sure your email is up to date here so you can vote! The vote will be open from 0600-2000. 

If MultiCare continues to drag out contract negotiations, we will have no choice but to start discussing strike assessments. We hope it doesn’t come to this. But if it does, we’ll keep everyone informed on the next steps and what that would look like. 

What's still left on the table?

Our next bargaining date will be on July 27 – MultiCare has not confirmed a location yet, but we will let everyone know as soon as we have one! 

• Wages below other MultiCare facilities: 
  • Year 1 – 3.75% + $2.25 (Tacoma General received: 4% + $2.25)
  • Year 2 – 3.50% (Tacoma General received: 3.75%)
  • Year 3 – 3.50% (Tacoma General received: 3.50%)
• Unequal Employee Voice Committee as a “collaborative forum for discussing workplace and culture related concerns”
  • Committee with 4 management reps, 3 nurses and one WSNA representative.
• No retroactive pay or ratification bonus
• TG Incentive Pay Language (that MultiCare currently argues is not a minimum but a maximum of $20)
  • The incentive pay amount will be offered as a flat dollar amount or an hourly rate (e.g. $200 or $20/hour).
• Demand Union withdraw various ULPs without fixing the underlying issue
  • Unilateral removal of health & wellness
  • Unilateral removal of education reimbursement ULP
• Removal of previous proposal for Tacoma General ratios
• Edits to weaken Additional Resources MOU, which mean:
  • The additional resources are only guaranteed by the staffing matrixes and are otherwise expired.
  • The MOU will re-open for negotiation if the state of Washington implements state mandated ratios that “alters” Good Sam’s current staffing levels.

Solidarity with SEIU at the Puyallup City Council

On Tuesday 7/15, SEIU and WSNA members attended a Puyallup City Council meeting to inform the public and our elected officials about MultiCare’s shameful behavior and ask for their support in our fight for a fair contract. 

Fox13 covered some of the testimonials we gave at the meeting – check out their coverage here!

“Our nurses union is asking for a good contract where we have safe staffing, and I can take care of you as a person, and not you as a body part or a room number. You’re a person to me. You’re not the heart attack in room nine. What you need matters. And the more people I see, the less I’m being asked to care for you and your family.” -Testimony to the council from Bree Morrel, Observation Unit 

Sip and Chat Tonight at 8 PM! 

Join our union update meeting tonight at 8 to get caught up on negotiations, our next actions, and hear from our WSNA negotiators. 

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/26694933970741?p=dz8Mt6lvRjzvkEUKMS
Meeting ID: 266 949 339 707 41
Passcode: JD2g786y
Dial in by phone
+1 206-485-2614,,440787939# United States, Seattle
(888) 313-0615,,440787939# United States (Toll-free)
Phone conference ID: 440 787 939#

New safe staffing law requirements started July 1

Beginning July 1, 2025, Washington state hospitals must follow new nurse staffing requirements.

• All hospitals must implement and assign nursing staff in accordance with their 2025 hospital staffing plan. See hospital staffing plans.
• Hospitals (*not exempt from the new law) document and report to the Washington Department of Health (DOH) when the number of patients assigned to nursing staff exceeds the nurse staffing plan at any time during the shift.
  • Nonexempt hospitals submit a non-compliance report when nurse staffing assignments comply with the staffing plan less than 80 percent during the month.  
  • Hospitals submit a non-compliance report to the WA DOH within seven calendar days following the month that the facility is out of compliance.
• Hospitals publicly post the hospital staffing plan (and any corrective action plans) in each department/unit.  
• Hospitals adopt written policies/procedures for the orientation of direct care RNs and NA-Cs, sufficient to provide competent patient care, before assignment to a nursing unit or clinical care area.

For more information on the staffing law and resources on filing a staffing complaint, go to our WSNA webpage on safe staffing here. 

Stay in the Loop: Follow us on Instagram, Join the Facebook Group, or get on our new Signal Chat! 

For behind the scenes bargaining content, MultiCare memes, and Blue Friday photos, follow our Instagram @gsh_wsna.  Follow our Instagram here. For discussion and questions in a private members-only space, join our Facebook group! Ask an officer or coworker to add you.

If you’re not on social media but still want to stay in the loop and join conversations on bargaining, download the app Signal and join our private discussion group here. 

Paint GSH Blue (and Purple!)

Your WSNA Bargaining Team is requesting that EVERY NURSE wear their WSNA T-Shirt at work (especially on Fridays and bargaining days)! Grab one of the joint stickers and take a picture with our SEIU colleagues who are also fighting for a fair contract! 

Contact membership@wsna.org if you are not getting emails from WSNA. Also, please remember to check your junk mail! You can update your contact information on our WSNA website here: https://www.wsna.org/membership/update-info. 

In Solidarity, your WSNA Bargaining Team: 

Co-Chair Savanah James, PCU; Treasurer Aaron Bradley, Palliative Care; Secretary Mindy Groven, PACU; Grievance Officer Emalie Hobi, ED; Jordan Goakey, Family Birth; Nicole Mandeville, ICU; Jennifer Hudson, ED; Jacqueline Dynes, ICU. 

Please contact Travis Elmore Nelson, WSNA Nurse Rep, at telmore@WSNA.org or 206-575-7979 ext. 3117 with questions or to find out what you can do to get a fair contract!

Want to get more involved in our union or join our contract action team? Reach ut to WSNA Organizer Grace at 206-553-9794 or glamonte@wsna.org.