Grievances Advance!

After months of working with management on multiple issues without resolution, WSNA has chosen to advance multiple grievances to the next step in the grievance process. Nurses at Island Health deserve to have their issues heard and resolved by the employer in a timely manner. This process is clearly outlined in the contract, and it remains unclear why management will not meet with WSNA on some of these issues.

Contract and Association Grievance Updates:

While we haven’t been at the table since the last update, we will be back for another update on Thursday, September 4. You can attend the update here. Some information will be a quick review, while other information will be new. Drop in and help us build solidarity for a strong and fair contract. In the meantime, keep wearing your buttons and stickers. Let’s show that nurses are standing together for a fair contract! If you need more stickers or still need a button, please reach out to me or one of the officers.

Keep Filing ADOs

Please continue filing an ADO whenever the staffing plan is not met, you miss a meal or rest break, the Break Buddy system is used, available help is denied, or unsafe situations occur. Include as much detail as possible. Tracking and trending ADOs matters! If you didn’t document, it didn’t happen. 

If you don’t know your unit’s staffing plan, you can find a copy of the hospital’s staffing plan here.

If you haven’t received a response to your ADO, or if you don’t understand the response, please reach out and let us know. ADOs can take time to be heard, but the expectation is that they are voted on and resolved within 90 days from the date of filing. In some instances, the Hospital Staffing Committee (HSC) may elect to allow more time to address larger issues.

The HSC continues to advocate for multiple departments, but this cannot be done without information about where the issues are occurring.

September Union Meetup with WSNA President Justin Gill

 WSNA officers from St. Joe’s in Bellingham have invited multiple local units, including Island Health, to their next local unit meetup at Trackside in Bellingham on Tuesday, September 1, from 1800 to 2000. WSNA President Justin Gill will join as a special guest.

Justin began his nursing career as an RN at St. Joe’s and has continued to support nurses throughout Northwest Washington.

These meetups are casual, family-friendly gatherings where nurses can connect, raise concerns, exchange ideas, and build relationships outside the hospital. This event is especially unique because it brings together nurses from multiple bargaining units. Whether you work in Bellingham or at one of our neighboring facilities, you are welcome. Come chat, meet colleagues, learn what is happening at other facilities, and share ideas about what may help at yours.

We hope to see you there and enjoy one of the last opportunities to gather during our Northwest summer.

In Solidarity,
Christen Siedler
Ron Brutton
Clarisa Shook
Sarah O’Connell
Chris Fowler
Kris Browne

Robin Cully