We are proud to announce that nurses at Kadlec Medical Center have voted to ratify a new WSNA contract! 🎉

This agreement follows a long and challenging bargaining process that required persistence, unity, and a strong commitment from nurses across the hospital. Your engagement, advocacy, and willingness to stand together made this contract possible.

We also want to recognize that voter turnout for this ratification was historic for this bargaining unit, demonstrating the strength and involvement of Kadlec nurses.

This contract represents meaningful progress in several key areas, including break enforcement, staffing accountability, safety improvements, and wage enhancements, while also laying the groundwork for continued progress in future negotiations.

💡 What’s Next

Implementation
The new contract goes into effect immediately upon ratification. WSNA will be working closely with the Employer to ensure proper implementation of all provisions.

Step Advancement Transition
We will continue working with the Employer in the coming months to ensure that the transition to anniversary-based step advancement is implemented fairly and does not negatively impact nurses.

Enforcement of New Language
Many of the gains in this contract especially around staffing, breaks, and safety will require active enforcement. Your participation in staffing committees, workgroups, and reporting processes will be critical to making these improvements real in practice.

Stay Engaged
This contract is not the end of the work. It is a step forward. We will continue building on these gains and preparing early for the next round of bargaining to further improve conditions for nurses at Kadlec.

Contract Access
A full copy of the finalized contract will be available online once formatting and final review are complete.

Key Improvements: 

Breaks and Staffing Enforcement

• Formal process for reviewing break compliance
• Units below compliance thresholds must develop improvement plans
• Stronger role for nurses in oversight and accountability

Break Relief Nurse Pilot

• Units with low break compliance have a process to implement a dedicated Break Relief Nurse
• Focused on ensuring uninterrupted meal and rest breaks

Safety Improvements

• Increased attention to workplace violence and security presence
• Continued work toward safer environments, especially in high-risk areas

Wage and Premium Improvements

• Increases to select premiums, including Charge RN, EVE shift and the SANE premium.
• Introduction of a NOC shift longevity differential, creating a foundation for future shift-based wage improvements

Step Advancement Change

• Transition from hours-based (1,872 hours) to anniversary-based step progression
• WSNA and the Employer will be working together over the coming months to ensure this transition is implemented fairly
• Current step progression processes will remain in place while implementation details are finalized

💰 Wage Increase Timing

• Initial wage increases will begin on the third full pay period after ratification. Which means that the first paycheck that will reflect the new rates is May 22, 2026.

💡 What This Means Moving Forward

This contract creates new tools and protections, but their success depends on continued engagement:

• Participate in staffing committees and workgroups
• Report missed breaks and safety concerns
• Stay connected with your WSNA representatives

This is not the end of the work it is a step forward. We will continue to enforce this contract and begin preparing early for the next round of bargaining to build on these gains.

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 WSNA Nurse Representative Jennifer Jackson at jjackson@wsna.org.