On May 19, 2021, your contract negoti­a­tion team met with hospital manage­ment for what turned out to be another disappointing day of contract negoti­a­tions. Hospital manage­ment is still insisting on increases to health insurance, a vacation cap, cuts to time off, ​“use it or lose it” vacation policy, lower Per Diem pay rate, increased per diem work require­ments and a separate pay scale with signif­i­cantly lower pay for quality and care transi­tion nurses. No new tentative agreements were reached. Addition­ally, manage­ment is refusing to agree to our staffing proposal, workplace violence proposal and we are still apart on wage increases.

We know that many long term nurses have resigned due to the poor working conditions at the hospital and we want that to change! We are making proposals at the bargaining table that will allow us to attract great nurses and keep the dedicated RN’s that have given much of their lives to this hospital. That said, we know that with low pay, short staffing and an apathetic administration, we are currently an unattractive option for new nurses. Management must listen to what the bargaining team is proposing! We need a FAIR CONTRACT!

We meet with management again TOMORROW, May 26, 2021. Until then, your bargaining team NEEDS YOUR HELP in sending the message to manage­ment that their dedicated RNs DESERVE A FAIR CONTRACT!

If you haven’t already, please sign our petition and share with your friends, family and commu­nity members! Post it to social media and distribute far and wide! We need to let hospital manage­ment know that the commu­nity stands with NURSES! Members of the negoti­a­tion team have physical copies if you prefer to physi­cally sign.

Car/window signs are still available, please contact a member of the negotiation team to get one and place it in your car while you work! Also, please remember to use the WSNA Facebook Profile Frame and wear your WSNA badge holders on negoti­a­tion days to show that you stand with your fellow RNs in support of a FAIR CONTRACT!

In Solidarity,
your negoti­ating team: — Jason Kindle, Ryan Housden, Kala Winter, Jennifer Reynolds, Jayme Garrison, Michelle Phillips, Kim Scott