On Sept. 3, MultiCare implemented mandatory floating outside of your clinical areas. This was a unilateral move by MultiCare and implemented without first bargaining. It goes against our Collective Bargaining Agreement. WSNA immediately issued a Cease and Desist order, but MultiCare refused to comply. MultiCare then informed us that as of Sept. 12, 2021, they will be implementing mandatory floating both within facilities as well as facility to facility within the region. The region includes all the Puget Sound area MultiCare facilities.

WSNA (representing Tacoma General and Good Samaritan Hospitals) met with MultiCare on Sept. 9, 2021 for bargaining. WSNA was represented by our attorney, nurse representatives and your local unit officers. WSNA was firm that we are not in agreement with any mandatory floating. Your officers gave passionate, thoughtful and compelling testimony.

MultiCare responded to WSNA by saying they will implement mandatory floating both in house and facility to facility. For nurses, at this time, to avoid being disciplined for insubordination, we recommend that you comply to the best of your ability. By law, you are not required to take on duties that you feel you are not qualified or trained to do. You will need to be assertive and inform the support person, charge nurse, manager, or supervisor when you are not comfortable with duties assigned.

At that point, it is important that you file an online ADO Staffing Complaint Form (www.wsna.org/ADO) to protect your license and to inform WSNA and Management what is occurring. For safety concerns, please also file a Hospital Quality Assurance Form.

WSNA will pursue all of its available options to oppose this mandate. Communications continue between WSNA and MultiCare as we seek further bargaining and clarifications on this mandate. We will keep you informed of union actions.

Please continue to share your thoughts and concerns with your WSNA local unit officers, unit reps or your nurse representative.

Thank you,

Your WSNA nurse representative and local unit officers