First Day Summary:

Today was our first day of negotiations. Your team has been working hard to prepare an intelligent, comprehensive proposal that reflects YOUR priorities for improving working conditions at Kadlec.

Our team met  12 times prior to today to craft a (nearly) complete proposal which we presented to management today. We say “nearly” because we were unable to present proposals on Wages, PTO, and Retirement because management has not responded to the Request for Information (RFI) we submitted nearly a month ago. Those data are critical for us to prepare meaningful wage and retirement proposals.

This team has been listening to YOU: all the comments and priority issues that you  communicated in the pre-negotiation survey. We identified that our members’ top three issues are:

• Improved wages/compensation,
• Ability to safely take all rest and meal breaks, and
• Necessary improvements to safety and workplace violence prevention.

 What Management Did Today:

• Initial introductions and heard our first comprehensive proposal.
• Management did not provide any initial proposals today.
• They also did not respond to any of the proposals we presented.

 Key Articles Discussed:

We presented improved language on multiple articles throughout the contract. Here are some of the key articles we will be pushing for impactful change within the unit:

• Article 4.8.3 Kadlec is in a small minority of hospitals in this state that require a service hour total to advance on the wage scale. It is far beyond the time for them to adopt the majority practice of advancement on anniversary date and reverse this punitive practice that has led to wage compression for many of our dedicated staff members.
• Proposed Article 5.2.2 Washington law is clear: facilities must maintain safe staffing levels at all times. When nurses step away for a legally required rest or meal break, the hospital is still obligated to ensure safe coverage. By continuing to enforce the “break buddy” system, Kadlec leadership is attempting to carve out an exception to that law—leaving nurses responsible for patient care even while they are supposed to be on break. This is unsafe, it undermines your right to uninterrupted rest and meal periods, and it violates the intent of Washington’s staffing and break protections.
• Hospital Security MOU: A proposed agreement to assign security staff in the emergency department 24/7 and to implement a weapons detection pilot program. At this Level 2 facility it is long overdue to implement a safety plan to ensure the staff can function in a busy, high acuity environment without jeopardizing their personal safety.
• Wages and Retirement: Coming soon

Staying Informed

• Stay informed - Read all WSNA communications and status updates from the Employer
• Engage and participate – Watch for important updates on how to support your bargaining team and fight for a fair contract
• Let your bargaining team know if you wish to be an observer during negotiations. Upcoming dates: October 2, 9, 10, 23, 24, 27, 28
• Follow on social media platforms:
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/kadlecrns
  • Instagram: @wsna_kadlec
• Make sure you check out your WSNA webpage: Kadlec Regional Medical Center - WSNA

Call to Action

• Wear your blue WSNA T-shirts every Wednesday to show management that you stand behind the negotiating team.
• Join the Local Unit Meeting October 15 at 5:30 – 6:30 pm and 7:45 – 8:45 pm in Conference Room

In solidarity, Your WSNA Bargaining Team
Meri Bukovisnky- CDU, WSNA Chair
Crystal Rivera- ED, Member at Large
Milari Romero- ICU, Member at Large
Franklin Alvarez- 7RP
Andrew Blake- Cath Lab
Kelsi Duncan- NICU
Deborah Langston- PACU, Grievance officer
Anita Dennis- PACU, Grievance officer
Jamie White- 9RP, Secretary/Treasurer

Questions? Contact your Bargaining Team Members or WSNA Nurse Representative Jennifer Jackson jjackson@wsna.org