Bring out your signs, your coworkers, and your voice: on May 15, we gave MultiCare management a ten-day notice for an informational picket on May 27 at 0700-0900 and 1500-1730, with a rally at 1700.

For the last nine bargaining sessions, we have come to MultiCare with proposals that would ensure Good Sam RNs are properly compensated, adequately staffed, and respected for the work they do. We have been told “no” time and time again with no other explanation other than “we’re not interested”.

We’re not interested in letting management dissolve our staffing resources or pay us wages below TG and Auburn. We know our value, we know what our coworkers and community deserve, and we’re willing to fight for it. Good Samaritan nurses are ready to act.

As many nurses as possible should still sign the Info Picket Pledge that is being circulated – ask a bargaining team member or union steward if you haven’t signed it yet! You can send completed pledges to GSHaction@wsna.org or 206-553-9794.

All WSNA nurses at Good Sam – including residents – are able to picket. This is our legally protected right as union members. If you have concerns about retaliation or intimidation from management, reach out to WSNA Nurse Rep Travis Elmore at telmore@wsna.org

Our picket three years ago was powerful, inspiring, and moved management to reach a fair contract. You can take a look at what it looked like here!

Our next bargaining date is May 18 – Observe negotiations and make a picket sign!

Our next bargaining session is May 18th at MultiCare University, starting at 10am. We’ll also have picket sign making supplies there to start preparing for May 27 – more picket sign parties to be announced soon!

This session will have a federal mediator in attendance as well. A federal mediator is a neutral third party whose role is to ensure both parties come to an agreement. It can often slow negotiations down, but we hope that the mediator will be able to let MultiCare know how serious Good Sam nurses are about coming to a fair deal – and what we’re willing to do to fight for it.

If you want to come and observe negotiations, let WSNA Organizer Grace know at glamonte@wsna.org.

MultiCare’s Recent Bargaining Update: Fact vs. Fiction

MultiCare recently put out a bargaining update of their own – saying that “We continue to propose competitive wage increases for our local market, with particular attention to the recent raises to the MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital pay scales… WSNA is proposing wages based on King County, which is outside of our local market in Tacoma.”

First, let’s be clear: MultiCare is not offering us what TG nurses got in their most recent contract. TG ended up getting raises of 4% + $2.25, 3.75% and 3.5%. MultiCare’s latest offer to Good Sam was a raise of 3.25% + $1.25, 3.25%, and 3%.

Good Sam nurses are currently an average of almost seven dollars behind the MultiCare Auburn wage scale. While most of Auburn is in King County, the market between Auburn and Puyallup is comparable. 40% of nurses at Good Sam live within 15 miles of Auburn – paying King County prices while receiving Pierce County wages.

At the minimum, Good Sam nurses deserve TG wages.

But our value to MultiCare – as the fourth busiest ED in the county, as the location for a new tower expansion, as the hospital with the highest admissions in the MultiCare system (21,796) – means that we deserve more than the minimum.

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.

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!