October 26 Bargaining Update

The negotiating team met with management virtually on Monday for a little over an hour. Management made a presentation on the financial state of the hospital. During the presentation, management highlighted that a large portion of the hospital’s financial situation is the result of H.R. 1, which will result in approximately one trillion dollars in federal health care cuts. This will particularly impact Island Health based on its percentage of Medicare and Medicaid patients. 

Management increased its economic offer to 3% in year 1, 2% in year 2, and 3% in year 3 on the same 20-step scale. Management made no other proposals or counterproposals addressing our previously proposed economics, only COLA increases for each year. We know the most important remaining parts of this contract are safety, affordable family health care, and wages that allow us to live in our community. As we continue working toward the best contract, we still need your support. We will meet again on November 9. Stay tuned for the time and place. Please check your WSNA membership status or, if you are not a member, sign up at wsna.org/membership so that we can hear each and every nurse’s voice when it comes time to vote on this contract.

In Solidarity, 
Christen Siedler
Ron Brutton
Clarisa Shook
Sarah O’Connell
Chris Fowler
Robin Cully

For questions or concerns, contact your officers or your Nurse Representative Robin Cully at [email protected].