Progress at the Table: 

On Monday, we reached a tentative agreement to reduce how long discipline stays in personnel files. We also made progress on several other proposals.

Keeping Bargaining Moving: 

Your WSNA nurse bargaining committee emphasized that bargaining must stay on schedule, remain transparent, and be treated as a priority. Every delay, no matter how small, postpones the economic and workplace improvements Island Health nurses urgently need.

We also asked to bargain in hospital meeting rooms so sessions can run longer instead of ending at 4:00 p.m. Management said it believes holding union negotiations in hospital meeting rooms is inappropriate.

Workplace Violence Prevention: 

WSNA presented a strong Workplace Violence Prevention Program Committee proposal to give nurses a meaningful voice in the protections needed to keep everyone safe from violence at work. Management raised concerns about maintaining felony-warning signs, suggested considering a voluntary weapons surrender program, and questioned whether the literature supports weapons detection systems.

Next Steps: 

WSNA plans to present an economic proposal at our next bargaining session on September 8. The session will be partially virtual because of management’s limited availability. Contact your nurse representative if you would like to attend.

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