WSNA NEWS
Conference Committee Updates
On October 22, your elected officers met with management for our monthly conference committee meeting. Here is what we discussed:
- ICN carpets: Management said they are still working on getting the carpets cleaned but have no firm plan or timeline. We will continue pressing for follow-through.
- NICU family cafeteria access: Management reaffirmed that NICU families have access to the Mary Bridge Cafe and will contact security to clarify that access.
- Per diem holiday scheduling: We proposed allowing per diem nurses to submit holiday availability at the beginning of the year. This would help nurses meet their availability requirements and avoid the current problem of having only a few holidays left open to per diems. Management agreed to consider the proposal but showed little willingness to adopt it. We will continue pushing for a workable scheduling process.
- Per diem hours and low census: WSNA made our position clear: mandatory low census counts toward per diem hours requirements. If you are told otherwise, please contact Nurse Rep Jared Richardson at JRichardson@wsna.org.
Holiday Low Census MOU
Thank you to everyone who completed the holiday low census preference survey. An overwhelming majority of respondents supported a 12-hour holiday low census lottery. Based on that feedback, WSNA proposed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize the process.
Management declined to negotiate an MOU and plans to follow the current contract language. We are disappointed that management rejected an opportunity to establish a clear process supported by so many NICU nurses.
The holiday lottery has been a longstanding NICU practice, and we proposed putting that practice into writing so nurses and management would have clear, agreed-upon expectations. Your feedback gives us a strong foundation to pursue this issue in the next round of negotiations.
Make Your Voice Heard at the Ballot Box
As nurses, we see how public policy affects our patients, our profession, and our working conditions. Voting is one way we can help shape those decisions.
Make a plan to complete and return your ballot to an official ballot drop box. Whoever you support, make sure your voice is heard.
Review the WSNA PAC’s 2026 endorsements.
Our union is strongest when we stay connected and speak up together. Thank you for sharing your concerns, participating in the survey, and standing with your fellow NICU nurses.
In solidarity,
Crystal Anderson, Chair
Lauren Johnson, Co-Chair
Nicole Blackwell, Secretary/Treasurer
Randi Neff, Membership Officer
Questions or concerns, contact Jared at JRichardson@WSNA.org.