October Updates for Good Sam: Oncology Triage Bargaining, ADO Updates, and More!

Happy October, Good Sam Nurses! 

This month has been busy – so far 131 ADOs have been filed, we’ve elected new officers, and MultiCare received approval for their merger with Samaritan Health in Oregon. Keep reading for more news you can use! 

Bargaining for Oncology Triage RNs: No Wage Scale, No Conversation

Since we welcomed Oncology Triage RNs to our Bargaining Unit in May of this year, we’ve been hoping MultiCare could quickly address this group’s inclusion in the Bargaining Unit. Instead, MultiCare has responded to our basic proposal that would bring these eight nurses under our contract and pay scale by saying that they need to do more analysis before presenting their counteroffer on wages. 

The only acceptable counteroffer would be bringing all eight of these nurses onto the same wage scale as the other 1,000+ nurses at Good Sam. Anything less – including a separate wage scale – is not something we’re interested in. This arbitrary division between nurses will weaken our unit’s power and solidarity. As you know, this sets a precedent for one group of nurses on a separate wage scale, this can lead to future contracts where they add more wage scales for different positions. 

Oncology Triage RNs are bargaining with MultiCare again on November 6. Stay tuned for updates and ways you can stand in solidarity with your colleagues!

Make your Staffing Complaint Count 

In October, over 131 ADOs/Staffing Complaint Forms have been filed. 

131 opportunities for MultiCare management to do the right thing and increase staffing incentives, listen to their nurses, and ensure our community gets the care it deserves. MultiCare has shown a pattern of cost-cutting since their recently approved merger with Samaritan Health in Oregon. 

We want to ensure all of our ADOs are followed up on with real solutions from management. The information below goes over how you can make your staffing complaint more effective. 

Here are some of the ways you can make your staffing complaint actionable: 

• Be specific. Know what your staffing plan requires and explain exactly how the staffing assignment or adjustment differed. Document the patient census for the shift, the number of nurses assigned to work by job class, and the number of nurses required by the staffing plan. 
• Stick to the facts. Avoid emotional or accusatory language. “We were very busy” is less useful than describing the specific staffing condition. 
• Document your actions. Follow the appropriate chain of command and document the steps taken to address the concern. 
• Include the basics. Provide the date, time, unit, shift, staffing condition, applicable staffing-plan requirement, and actions taken. Adding the patient census, required staffing, and actual staffing is important.

One other thing you can do to make your complaint count is to speak on your ADO at Staffing Committee. Every nurse has a right by law, and the HSC charter to come and speak to the HSC about your ADO. This is paid time, and if you are working, management must relieve you and ensure the relief is sufficient to cover your patients (not just hand them off to another nurse with a patient load). It is important that we hear from the nurses who are living these working conditions, not just management’s version of events.

For more information, check out this article on the WSNA website.

Upcoming WSNA Events and Trainings

• Quarterly Virtual Union Steward Training: December 1, 7PM
  • Learn what it means to be a union leader! Steward training covers the basics of contract enforcement and workplace organizing. Register for the training here.
  • Topics include:
    • The role of a Union Steward
    • Our rights at work
    • Investigatory Meetings
    • Internal Issue Organizing for your unit
• 2027 Lobby Day is on February 4, 2027: Join us at WSNA’s 44th annual WSNA member lobby day for empowerment and advocacy, and shape the future of healthcare in our state!
  • Join us for WSNA’s 2027 Lobby Day in Olympia on Thursday, February 4 starting at 7:30am with breakfast at DoubleTree by Hilton Olympia. This will be followed by an education and training session designed to prepare nurses with everything you need to speak with legislators.
  • To register, follow this link. Questions? Reach out to [email protected]
• WSNA General Assembly is on April 13, 2027: Save the date for the 2027 WSNA General Assembly, where members come together to help shape the future of their association!
  • As WSNA's highest governing body, General Assembly gives members a voice in setting the association's direction. Members debate and vote on resolutions that establish WSNA's priorities and help determine what the association will focus on over the next two years.
  • Additional details, including the agenda, participation information, and proposed resolutions, will be announced as the event approaches.

Make your voice heard this November! 

Decisions made at the ballot box affect nurses, our patients, and the future of healthcare. Make sure your voice is heard by voting early! 

Thank you to our outgoing officers! 

We want to extend a special thank you to Mindy Groven and Ilia Mondoy for their work as officers. At staffing committee, bargaining, and on the unit, Mindy and Ilia stood up for Good Sam and advocated for our workplace. Because of their leadership, we have a stronger and more united local unit. We are deeply grateful for the time, energy, and care they gave to this work. 

In solidarity,
Savanah James, PCU, Co-Chair
Emma Morrison, Float Pool, Co-Chair
Ceci Mburu, Secretary
Aaron "Montana" Bradley, Treasurer
Elaine Urabe, Observation, Grievance Officer
Emalie Hobi, ED, Grievance Officer

Ruth Gelbach, PCU, Membership OfficerQuestions? Please contact WSNA Rep Travis E. Nelson. He can be reached at [email protected].