At each session, your bargaining team has come up with creative solutions to real problems we face as nurses everyday. Today was no different. We showed up ready to make movement on key proposals while still maintaining the core protections we need in our contract. To date, MultiCare has refused to engage in any counter-proposal(s) on protections for charge nurses, (share your experience with CANMs here) self-scheduling, and ratios. Today was no different. MultiCare added 25 cents to their first year wage proposal  (making their total wage proposal 3.25% + $1.25 in Year 1, 3.25% in Year 2, and 3% in Year 3) and tentatively agreed to providing $150 to per diem nurses for Continuing Education – but otherwise made no movement on other proposals. MultiCare also continues to hold on their proposal to dissolve our existing staffing & meal and rest protections. These hard-won free flex and free charge staffing resources are not something we’re interested in giving up, especially as MultiCare continues to expand and build the new tower at Good Sam.

Instead of engaging in much-needed dialogue on the proposals still on the table, this afternoon the Employer requested we bring in a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). Mediation is a tool parties can use in bargaining when they reach impasse (i.e., have no more room to move on any proposal). While we do not oppose mediation as a tool, we are frustrated with MultiCare's suggestion to bring in a third-party mediator instead of engaging in substantive discussion on proposals at the bargaining table, especially when we know that the Employer and our team have room to move on all proposals.

Regardless of mediation, any path forward depends on the Employer’s willingness to have real conversations with your bargaining committee about the challenges we face everyday at Good Sam. We demanded the Employer honor their commitment to meet with us on Monday (May 4) to continue negotiations, and agreed to consider mediation as a next step. There is still serious work ahead to make sure we get a fair deal for ourselves, our coworkers, and our patients.

A mediator won’t inspire MultiCare to move – but our solidarity will. That’s why we’re launching an info picket pledge today!

So, what is an informational picket?

On a day that nurses regularly work, nurses march, carry picket signs, and hand out leaflets on the public sidewalks in front of the hospital to amplify concerns to the hospital’s leadership and to the community. Nurses work and continue to work – an informational picket is not a work stoppage or strike.

Three years ago, we had a powerful informational picket that showed MultiCare our willingness to act for a fair contract. That picket was inspiring, powerful, and moved management at the table – we're ready to do it again if necessary!

What’s a picket pledge and why do I need to sign one?

Signing a picket pledge tells your bargaining team that you are committed to picketing if you can. While we don’t have a specific date for an info picket right now, signing the pledge means that you’ll come to the picket if you’re not working. If you are working on the day of the picket, you’re committing to coming out on your break (and filling out an ADO if you don’t get a break!)

We need to know which departments and shifts are getting information about bargaining and about the picket, and where we need to concentrate more attention to get the greatest outreach. Also, the bargaining team needs an accurate assessment of what Good Sam nurses are willing to do – the numbers need to reflect a strong commitment from the bargaining unit so that the team can make informed decisions about which actions to take.

Sign the picket pledge here – and then ask five of your coworkers to do the same! You can take a picture of your completed pledges to GSHaction@wsna.org or 206-553-9794.

Observe Bargaining: Next Negotiations are May 4 and May 18 

It’s important we continue to build power at the table. Our next negotiations on May 4 and May 18 will take place at MultiCare University. Stay for a few hours or the whole day – we'll provide lunch! If you’d like to observe any of these negotiation dates, reach out to WSNA Organizer Grace at glamonte@wsna.org or 206-553-9794.

Our Union is Growing: Oncology Triage Nurses Vote Unanimously to Join WSNA! 

Congratulations to the seven oncology triage nurses that work out of the Cancer Center at Good Sam! Yesterday, they unanimously voted to join our union so they can ensure that their growing department has staffing protections and their compensation reflects the valuable work they do in our community.

If you know a nurse who isn’t in our union at Good Sam, or know a nurse at a non-union facility, reach out to organize@wsna.org so we can continue to build union nurse power in Pierce County and beyond!

Next Virtual Union Update Meeting: Thursday, May 7

While we are in negotiations, bargaining team members will be hosting informal union meetings with WSNA members. “Sip and Chats” occur every Thursday from 2000-2100 while we are in negotiations. Click the button 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 & bargaining days)!  Membership officer Ruth Gelbach will be by the Starbucks with shirts every other Monday from 12-3. If you need a shirt, stop by or ask a friend to grab you one!

Stay in the Loop! Follow us on Instagram and Join the Facebook Group

For behind the scenes bargaining content, MultiCare memes, and Blue Friday photos, follow our Instagram @gsh_wsna.

For discussion and questions in a private members-only space, join our Facebook group! Ask an officer or coworker to add you.

Become a member, make our voice stronger! https://www.wsna.org/membership/application

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!