On January 7, our first bargaining session since the expiration of our current contract, we were joined by 16 members of our extended bargaining team (observers) in addition to our regular bargaining team. The attendance of the extended bargaining team made an impact on management and bolstered our proposals!

During this session, your bargaining team fought for the following proposals, only to be rejected by MultiCare (MC):

• Fair wages – MC rejected
• Preventing substantive changes per diem work conditions – MC rejected
• Ensuring NICU voice on Staffing Committee & Ratios – MC rejected
• Compensation for the bargaining team – MC rejected
• Break buddies cannot be the primary form of break relief – MC rejected despite giving it to Tacoma General

The bargaining team also fought for these proposals, but received unsatisfactory responses from MultiCare:

• Protection of charge nurse work – MC continued to propose the use of CANM
• Night shift differential for experienced nurses – MC agrees there should be an extra economic incentive, but the amount is still inadequate
• Night shift differential – MC unwilling to increase at all

We did reach a few TAs:

• Language protecting delivery nurses from having dedicated patient assignments and a $2/hour premium
• Protection of incentive pay from pyramiding
• Preceptor pay increase from $2 to $2.25

Your support and engagement is critical to achieving a fair contract! Thank you to everyone who has committed to standing with us on the picket line.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wsna_mbnicu/
Local Unit Home Page: https://www.wsna.org/union/multicare-mary-bridge-childrens-neonatal-intensive-care-unit
Contact a Nurse Rep: jrichardson@wsna.org

Wear your WSNA blue on every shift and help welcome our Case Manager colleagues into the Union. Together, we are stronger, and together, we will win the contract NICU nurses deserve.

In solidarity,
Your bargaining team
Crystal Anderson
Randi Neff
Michele Christianson
Rosie Robertson
Erin Pearson
Cameron Warriner

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Jared Richardson, jrichardson@wsna.org.