On January 1, there were some changes to the Meal and Rest Break law in Washington state. Those changes required that your WSNA representatives bargain with Kindred over a new waiver form.  Some of the changes include that you can waive the timing of your meals. Previously, your first meal had to start within 2-5 hours of your start time. Now, you can waive that and elect to take it between 3 hours of the start of your shift and 2 hours before the end of your shift. This provides flexibility for nurses who prefer to take a later meal.  You are also able to waive your second (or third if applicable) meal period. You always have the right to revoke all or part of your waiver at any time and the hospital cannot coerce you in regard to signing or revoking a waiver.

We are happy to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement! We will be conducting a virtual vote from March 5 at 6 am to March 6 at noon!  You can vote virtually any time during these hours. All members in good standing (that is, current dues-paying members) will receive a unique online ballot to the same email address on file with WSNA at 0600 (6 AM). If you do not receive a ballot at 0600 on March 5, please check your junk and spam email. If you still don’t see a ballot, contact your WSNA Rep!

You can find a copy of the waiver here and a copy will be provided for viewing with your virtual ballot.  If you would like to talk about this waiver with your nurse rep or Josh Derius, your local unit chair, please reach out with any questions you may have.

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Sara Frey, JD, BSN, RN, at sfrey@wsna.org