Your WSNA negotiating team met with management on February 13 for our first session of bargaining. While we had productive discussions on several language items, we were disappointed that neither the CNO nor the CEO attended the session. We feel strongly that decision-makers need to be at the table to hear directly from nurses about the realities of our work and patient care. We hope they prioritize these negotiations moving forward. We have our second session on Thursday, March 5.

Union Proposals and Priorities

We presented a comprehensive package of non-economic proposals focused on job security, equity, and fair representation:

• New Employee Orientation: We proposed a union representative will be invited to new employee orientation meetings and given time to speak about the union.
• Successorship: We proposed language to protect your jobs and contract in the event the hospital is sold or merges. Management declined this proposal, claiming a sale is unlikely. We believe these protections are essential regardless of current administrative plans.
• Discipline: We proposed that written disciplinary notices be removed from personnel files after 6 months (down from 24) if there are no further issues. Management rejected this and wants to keep the 2-year duration.
• Grievance Procedure: We proposed adding the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) to the arbitration selection process to align with state standards.
• Inclusivity: We reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) on updating our Non-Discrimination policy to include gender identity and expression.
• Safety for nurses: We proposed implementing a Weapon Detection Program by installing and staffing a Weapon Detection system in the Emergency Department.
• PAC Deduction: establishes a process for the hospital to deduct voluntary contributions from nurses' paychecks for the WSNA Political Action Committee (PAC) upon their written authorization

Management Proposals

Management presented several proposals, some of which we strongly oppose:

• PTO Restrictions: They proposed denying PTO cash-outs for nurses terminated "for cause." We did not agree to this proposal.
• Clinic Nurses: ACLS Certification: Management proposed limiting required ACLS certification to only Acute Care and ED nurses. We pushed back, arguing that for patient safety and professional development, all nurses should have access to this training. Management wants to treat nurses in the clinic less than hospital nurses. Further, management wants to pay hospital nurses less when they work at the clinics. We believe all nurses should be treated equally in skills and pay no matter what location they work in.
• Bereavement Leave: They proposed requiring bereavement leave be taken within 90 days of a death. We raised concerns about cultural or extenuating circumstances that might require more flexibility.

Key Discussions:

We held discussions regarding traveler usage. We raised the issue that permanent staff are being low censused while travelers remain on the schedule. We made it clear that this practice violates our seniority rights and must stop.

The topic of Preceptor and Orientation was brought where we asked clarifications from the employer on differences in the training.

We also opened a dialogue on Workplace Violence, discussing the need for better security, weapons detection, and training (EVADE). We will continue to push for a safer environment for all staff.

We STILL want to hear from you.

We are still waiting to pass some proposals to the employer, including economics, at our next session. We want all nurses to fill out the survey, so we know we are truly representing all Ocean Beach WSNA nurses.

Take the survey now

Join us next session, Thursday, March 5, as an observer! If you are interested please text or email Nurse Representative Bret so we can coordinate when to show up.

In solidarity,
Brenda Slagle – Local Unit Chair
Marcey Frame - Local Unit Secretary/Treasurer
Brad Bell – Bargaining Team Member

Questions? Contact your WSNA Nurse Representative, Bret Percival, at 206-471-0876 or bpercival@wsna.org.