Yesterday, October 28, your WSNA bargaining team met with management for our second day of negotiations. Management had our comprehensive proposal from the first session to respond to, and they presented a mostly complete counterproposal holding back only on the economic sections until they receive our first wage proposal.

We saw encouraging movement from management, especially on key issues such as floating outside of the NICU. Your team also secured several tentative agreements (TAs) that move us closer to a stronger contract for every NICU nurse. You can read the highlights below.

Join Us Tonight for Rosie’s Roundup!

We are kicking off our first Rosie’s Roundup tonight (10/29) at 2000 via Teams. Rosie loves that name, and we know you will too. During this virtual meeting, your bargaining team will share updates from yesterday’s session and answer any questions you may have.

Looking Ahead

We return to the bargaining table this Thursday, October 30. Our focus will be presenting our first wage proposal and responding to management’s latest counterproposal. Wear your Bargaining WSNA Blue that day!

If you are interested in observing negotiations in person, reach out to Sam Scholl at SScholl@WSNA.org to coordinate.

Day Two Highlights

• TA: “On-call” will now be called “Per Diem Nurse”, and the term “Association” will be replaced with “Union” throughout the contract.
• TA: Added language to the probationary extension article ensuring nurses receive written notice of what is required to successfully complete the extension.
• TA: Expanded Equal Opportunity protections to include military members and their spouses.
• Progress: Significant steps forward toward making the NICU a closed unit. We are optimistic about reaching a TA on this soon.
• In Progress: Close to an agreement to restore “extra shift” language from the former Tacoma General contracts.
• Concern: Management proposed changes to per diem scheduling and availability that raise serious concerns. Your team has not yet formally responded.
• Rejected: Management rejected several important proposals, including our effort to ensure the charge nurse role remains within the bargaining unit and not assigned to a manager.

Your bargaining team is fighting every day for a contract that protects our profession, values our expertise, and strengthens our union power. Stay informed, stay united, and join us tonight to hear more about what’s next.

If you haven’t completed a membership application, please do so here:

https://www.wsna.org/membership/application

For all the news, updates and to reach out to us, check out our local unit home page:

https://www.wsna.org/union/multicare-mary-bridge-childrens-neonatal-intensive-care-unit

Check out our Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/wsna_mbnicu/

WSNA Nurse Representative Jared Richardson, jrichardson@wsna.org