Read below about active contract violations we have filed against MultiCare MaryBridge. Nurses can work with the union to file grievances when we feel the contract is being violated. Read about the grievance process in Article 14 of our contract.

• Article 4.1 Access to premise- The Employer denied WSNA access to your break room and bulletin board on April 7. We are actively engaging in the settlement process and will update you if we can reach mutual agreement.
• Article 16- Staffing committee- The Employer has been operating our staffing committee out of compliance with state law. It’s required to meet every month and address complaints in all formats. It has been said in past committee meetings that management isn’t obligated to address WSNA format complaints. We also feel they are violating our staffing plan with the implementation of the operational charge nurse role. Management has asked bargaining unit nurses to fill this role which is not outlined in the contract and management is required to bargain over.

Nurses who have filed staffing complaints and are not provided with a resolution in writing within 90 days can file individual complaints with the Department of Health.

Although it seems like our contract was just ratified, we are quickly approaching our next round of negotiations! Now is a great time to become more involved in our union by signing up for a Unit Rep Training. Nurses across MultiCare facilities in Pierce County are invited to attend this training as we approach bargaining at Tacoma General and MaryBridge in 2025 and Good Samaritan in 2026. 

Unit Reps also help support our elected union officers as they volunteer to support staffing committee, negotiations, and all the other work that comes with ensuring our contract is enforced.

The training covers the basics of contract enforcement and workplace organizing. Topics include:

• The role of a Unit Rep
• Our rights at work
• Just cause discipline
• Internal issue organizing for your unit
• Actions during contract campaigns

Click this link to sign up for our virtual training today, May 14 at 1930.

Did you know that your staffing plan submitted to the department of health includes support nurses to provide break relief? We have heard that management is placing managers into “operational charge nurse” roles- this is a position made up by management. It is not in the mutually agreed upon staffing plan. We have also heard that nurses are being told to break each other. WSNA does not support break buddy or neighbor buddy systems, and we don’t think nurses should either. 

If you are ever put in a situation that feels unsafe for you or your patient, notify your charge nurse, and file an ADO or staffing complaint. These complaints go to your WSNA officers, WSNA nurse representatives, and to the staffing committee for evaluation. Nurses are owed a response in writing within 90 days to their complaints.

On May 7, 2025, we held space in our break room for nurses to meet their officers, get snacks, sign up for t-shirts (sign up for yours here), and check out their new board. Sabreena and Swati both joined our union at these drop-ins!

Your union board got a facelift! It now has your officer’s contact sheet with QR codes for your contract website, QR codes for unsafe staffing forms, t-shirt sign-ups, and our recent newsletter. Check back here for any help you might need.

Brenda Balogh is back! If you have any questions about your contract or how to get involved, contact her at bbalogh@wsna.org.