Hospital Staffing Committee Update

The Hospital Staffing Committee met on October 6, 2026, to discuss current staffing issues and compliance with the hospital staffing plan. We want to keep WSNA-represented nurses informed about the issues being raised, the hospital’s responses, and any follow-up that may be needed.

Key Issues Discussed

1. Staffing Matrices change requests for certain floors
We went over additional staffing requests regarding 2D and 3D, 4D and 5D LTCC, NeuroMod and VPMC, 2B and 1E. SEIU members submitted requests for additional CNAs for these units as well. We are requesting more RNs and CNAs in order to provide safe staffing for these units.

2. Management's stance on break buddies versus break relief staff
Management continues to deny the reality that when nurses and CNAs go on breaks that they are out of compliance with Washington State Law (RCW 70.41.420). Management's stance is that they "interpret" the law differently than what is actually spelled out in the law. Each matrix that we vote on has a disclaimer by management that they've taken breaks into consideration and have staffed appropriately to cover them. This is a major sticking point for the labor side of the Hospital Staffing Committee as we do not think the floors are staffed safely (or according to the law) when multiple staff leave the floor to take their breaks. Management continues to say we need to "collaborate" but today was the first time in several years that they have said they would possibly look at some language that would be a compromise. A teeny tiny bit of progress, but we'll take it! 

3. Management continues to say more FTEs are not in the budget
We continue to point out that management has the budget to approve multiple new upper management positions and their salary increases but not money to pay to safely staff the floors that actually keep the doors open. We continue to hold out that management is out of touch with the increased acuity that is a reality we see daily especially since most managers haven't worked at the bedside in many years. They continue to deny our reality.

4. Burnout is real - 17% of nurses and 3% of aides are out on leave

This continues to fall on deaf ears, management stated they have hired a new HR person to look at FMLA requests to see if they're valid. So instead of addressing why so many staff are on leave, they want to find a way to deny it. 

What Staff Can Do

Staff reports (ADOs) are extremely important in identifying staffing problems and documenting patterns of noncompliance. We go over them every month and those that don't get resolved get sent to DOH as part of a complaint. This is a slow process though. 

If your unit is staffed below the approved staffing plan, please continue to report it through the established WSNA/labor-side reporting process. You can also scan the QR code on the Safe Staffing flyer and easily report short staffing without management calling you into their office. 

The more accurate information we receive from bedside staff, the better we are able to identify trends, raise concerns through the committee, and advocate for safe staffing.

Thank you to everyone who continues to report staffing concerns and provide information to the labor representatives on the Hospital Staffing Committee.

WSNA Labor Representatives
Hospital Staffing Committee
UW Medical Center–Northwest