Last week, nurses from across the KVH healthcare system stood together at the Washington State Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) hearing to make the case that we are stronger together. Nurses came together to explain why approximately 35 ambulatory clinic nurses belong in the same bargaining unit as our larger group of KVH nurses.

The hearing included testimony about our shared work, reporting structures, and the collaboration that takes place across the KVH healthcare system. Five registered nurses testified on behalf of the union, representing different roles and locations throughout KVH.

Together, nurses made clear how connected our work is and why keeping these nurses in the same bargaining unit is important to our union and our collective strength.

What happens next? 

During the hearing, a court reporter created an official transcript of everything that was said on the record. The transcripts are expected to be completed and provided to both parties’ attorneys by October. Once the transcripts are available, both sides’ attorneys will prepare written briefs summarizing their positions and the arguments presented during the hearing. These briefs are expected to be submitted to PERC by mid-November.

After the briefs are submitted, the PERC Executive Director will review the case and issue a decision regarding the representation of the 35 nurses.

That is the formal process, but it is not necessarily the only path forward.

Do we have to wait for PERC’s final decision?

Not necessarily! There are still opportunities for management to resolve this disagreement – saving KVH time, energy, and money – before PERC issues its final decision.

During the public hearing, nurses offered powerful testimony about the different skillsets and expertise required in each unit and clinic; the ways they already work with one another; and how the distinct work from unit to unit and clinic to clinic unites RNs across KVH more than it divides them. 

What we didn’t hear was just as striking: though management stated that they believe these 35 nurses should form their own separate bargaining unit, their witnesses did not cite any reason it makes more sense to bargain a brand-new CBA than it would to add any clinic-specific terms to WSNA’s existing contract. 

Now that the hearing is complete, management has a choice to make. KVH could still choose to withdraw its objections and work with the union toward a resolution. That could mean voluntarily recognizing these nurses. It could also mean agreeing to hold an election; KVH could stipulate to let nurses vote to join the existing unit, or the parties could ask PERC to let nurses vote on whether to join the existing unit, form their own WSNA unit, or remain unrepresented.

Whether management voluntarily recognizes WSNA or nurses elect WSNA as their bargaining representative, the next step is the same: the union and management will negotiate over clinic nurses’ wages, hours, and working conditions . That process could take anywhere from a few hours to several months –a short MOU incorporating clinic nurses into the existing bargaining unit could be done within a single bargaining session, but brand-new contracts often take months to negotiate because they require drafting an entire agreement from scratch. 

With the hearing now behind us, KVH has an opportunity to consider what was presented, recognize the common ground that exists, and find a path forward without prolonging the recognition process unnecessarily. We hope KVH leaders will consider that opportunity and choose to work with WSNA to negotiate for fair terms that bring clinic nurses into the existing bargaining unit. 

Thoughts after the hearing from a Family Medicine Cle Elum RN

"Although this has been a longer process than we had expected and we never thought we would have to take it to hearing, it also gave us an opportunity. Nurses were able to share important testimony during the hearing. Our words highlighted the many examples of teamwork, collaboration and comradery with all nurses across KVH. We take care of our community together. In addition to that, we hope this shed light to leadership on the expanse of knowledge and skills our clinic nurses embody and practice daily. I believe we are one step closer to being included in KVH’s current bargaining unit.”

-Aime Hale, RN Family Medicine Cle Elum and Clinic Float nurse

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Rep Laurie Robinson at lrobinson@wsna.org