MultiCare's most recent wage proposal would make Good Sam the lowest paid Union RNs in the Western Washington MultiCare system. This is what MultiCare describes as a "substantial offer [that] communicates the high value we place on your critical work"

Bargaining today was the first day we've had a federal mediator present. We were hoping this would result in some movement from MultiCare on the issues that matter to us most: safe staffing, protecting charge nurse work, self-scheduling protections, the Respect Committee, and wages that reflect the value we provide to our community. MultiCare came in with minimal movement and a communication sent to Good Sam nurses saying that "we hope this substantial offer communicates the high value we place on your critical work."

Apparently, our critical work isn't valued highly enough to result in wages that match Auburn or Tacoma General.

Good Sam has the highest admissions in the MultiCare system. We are the fourth busiest ED in the country. And we are the location where MultiCare wants to build a 160-bed tower. All this, only to be told that MultiCare thinks that our value is less than our sister hospitals. This is an insult to the over 1000 nurses that provide care every single day for our community. We are not accepting anything less than what we deserve.

MultiCare’s Recent Memo: Gaslighting 101

MultiCare put out a memo to nurses on May 18 during bargaining. While there are many comments, edits, and inaccuracies we could point out in that communication, we want to focus on MultiCare’s accusation that WSNA is “not focusing our efforts on negotiations”.

To be frank: this is an insult to the ten bargaining team members and dozens of observers who have showed up and put many hours of unpaid work into research, collaboration, proposal drafting, membership updates & surveys, and many other critical components of a successful round of contract negotiations.  We’ve had ten bargaining sessions and, at each one, have worked to come to an agreement that treats Good Sam nurses with the respect we deserve.

We have shown management that we are willing to compromise and make movement while they have refused to even discuss ratios.  For example, we have been fighting for minimal protections for units that currently or will use self-scheduling. Last night, we made major movement on self-scheduling protections after consistently hearing from management that these bare minimum protections were the most we could expect. However, despite hours of editing and exchanging proposals AND the support of a mediator, no deal was reached. Why? Because of management's insistence on retaining the right to bypass these minimal protections for “other staffing practices based on departmental determinations,” without explaining what those “determinations” would be.

Their refusal to engage on key issues, along with their claims that the raises they’re proposing are competitive with TG, is an attempt to gaslight nurses into accepting a contract with below-market wages. We know our value. We know what we deserve. Why doesn’t MultiCare?

Picket Sign Parties - and a friendly competition! 

Picket signs are how we build the visuals that carry our message to management and the community. Come and make a sign before our May 27 picket - and for all the crafty nurses, we'll be having a picket-sign competition where two nurses will win a $50 Michaels gift card!

Wednesday, May 20, 12-4PM - Pioneer Park at the rotary bandstand across from the library

Thursday, May 21, 3-7PM – Glacier Conference Room inside GSH

Saturday, May 23, 9-2 – Next to the Puyallup City Hall, across from the Puyallup Farmers Market (look for the WSNA pop up sign!)

Supplies will be available! We absolutely encourage creative signs; just make sure you're not making a sign that’s defamatory to the hospital. This will be seen by kids and the media, so use your judgement on what your sign says.

After the contest, nurses will be able submit their signs to be voted on by the bargaining unit - the two signs with the most votes will win a $50 Michaels Craft Store gift card!

Flyering and Sign-Making at the Puyallup Farmers Market on May 23

We know our community supports us, so we're inviting them to our picket! On Saturday across from the Puyallup Farmers Market at the Puyallup City Hall, we'll have a table where people can come and make a sign and pass out some community flyers educating the public about our picket.

You can find the community flyer for the public here. Feel free to share widely with your church, community groups, other nurses, and anyone else who supports us!  We know some nurses are planning to flyer at other farmers markets in the Pierce County area – grab some friends and share what we’re fighting for with our community!

Observe Bargaining on June 2   

It’s important that we continue to build power at the table. Our next mediation date is on June 2nd at MultiCare University. Stay for a few hours or the whole day – we'll provide lunch! If you'd like to observe this negotiation day, reach out to WSNA Organizer Grace at glamonte@wsna.org or 206-553-9794.

Thank you to all our observers who showed up on Monday!

Corks and Crush Fundraiser Leaflet

On Saturday night, MultiCare hosted “corks and crush” – the annual event foundation fundraiser (tickets were 300 dollars each!). We took advantage of this event to inform MultiCare donors about our picket on 5/27 and invite them to support nurses in their community.

Shoutout to Peggy and Justin for pulling this off!

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.

Next Virtual Union Update Meeting: Thursday, May 21

While we are in negotiations, bargaining team members are hosting informal union meetings with WSNA members. “Sip and Chats” occur every Thursday from 2000-2100 while we are in negotiations. Click the link to join via Microsoft Teams or call in (206) 485-2614; Passcode: 44078739# to join.

Paint GSH Blue! 

Your WSNA Bargaining Team is requesting that EVERY NURSE wear their WSNA T-Shirt at work (especially on Friday’s and bargaining days)!

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!