Bargaining Update: Day 15 – Fifteen Hours at the Table and No Deal
Posted Jul 9, 2026
July 8 was our fifteenth bargaining session with MultiCare Good Samaritan. While we began the day very optimistic about reaching a tentative agreement, the management bargaining team ended the day:
- Refusing to continue negotiating;
- Refusing to explain why they would not continue negotiating;
- Canceling the one additional day of negotiations (July 20) that we had scheduled;
- Informing us they would not be available to bargain again until the middle of August.
It has become painfully clear that MultiCare believes they can continue dragging out bargaining without any negative consequences to their obstructionist stalling tactics. That belief is incorrect. It’s time for MultiCare to get serious about respecting WSNA nurses and settle a fair contract.
Staffing is the Key
In our update last week, we shared cautious optimism that we were making progress on staffing. A quick refresher about MultiCare’s proposal:
The good: the Employer was finally willing to consider putting ratios in our contract.
The bad: the Employer was insistent that we accept ratios that guarantee a lower level of staffing than is currently guaranteed by the “Additional Resources” Memorandum of Understanding attached to our contract, and the Employer was insistent that the Memorandum be deleted .
SO: we began negotiations yesterday hopeful that MultiCare was ready for a serious conversation about how to ensure contractual ratios address the most serious staffing problems in the hospital. However, after waiting for over 6 hours for a response, the Employer came back with an incredibly disappointing message: their version of ratios, or no ratios at all…and… continued insistence to delete the Additional Resources MOU.
We spent hours brainstorming and workshopping many permutations to make ratios a “win” worth accepting, but by 11:30PM, the Employer left the building. Their final proposal for the day continued to offer lower wages than our peers receive at Tacoma General & Mary Bridge, nor did they address our proposal for a ratification bonus (which would help address the fact that our contract is now over three months expired).
AS SUCH, it has become clearer than ever that we need to continue mobilizing to show MultiCare we deserve a fair contract now. Your actions are having a strong, positive impact on negotiations. Here are next steps YOU and your co-workers can take to keep building nurse power at Good Sam:
Stand in solidarity with our SEIU colleagues fighting for a fair contract and remind MultiCare who runs their hospitals. We’ll be distributing these stickers throughout the hospital and are asking people to wear them alongside their WSNA blue. Send us pictures of your unit in their blue and purple to make our solidarity visible!
Join the meeting by clicking this link, or call in to (206) 485-2614; Passcode: 44078739# to join.
Tina Darko on 7Dally has observed the last few sessions and has this to say about the experience: “I always wonder how much of what MultiCare says about the importance of nursing voices and patient safety is really genuine. It's evident now that it's all a facade and the only thing they truly care about is their bottom line. They don't even have enough respect for us to show up in the same room.”
We know people are tired. We’re frustrated. We’re angry about the constant disrespect shown by MultiCare to us and our colleagues. But before we take further action, we need assess whether people are willing to show up now for our contract. Talk with your coworkers, stay informed, and get ready for the fight ahead.
Tacoma Pride is on 7/11!
Let’s show our WSNA pride and visibility this Saturday at Tacoma Pride at Wright Park! MultiCare is one of the sponsors of this event – let’s remind them that we’re the ones who show up and care for our community. You can order WSNA pride shirts at our online store here!
Stand in Solidarity with MultiCare Colleagues at Capitol Medical Center
MultiCare's disrespect and union-busting extend beyond Good Sam - the professionals at Capitol Medical Center have been fighting for a first contract and are holding an informational picket on July 13.
Join them on the picket line to show our solidarity! More information and details can be found here.
INFORMATIONAL PICKET: Monday, July 13 from 11:30am – 1:30pm at 3900 Capital Mall Dr SW
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!