Newsflash! Overlake has agreed to our demand to bargain over the effects of the reallocations. We will meet with the employer for a discussion on Tuesday November 25

As the affected nurses are well-aware, Overlake is reallocating positions in Surgical Services and IV Therapy. Utilizing the numerous examples of the effects of the reallocation upon nurses, we will seek agreement to address the many issues you shared with us. Overlake has informed WSNA and the nurses that there are enough positions for all to bid upon, there are no specific cuts to surgical services positions in Surgical Services. IV therapy is a different matter. Apart from the clear disruption that any reallocation causes to nurses personal lives, clinical practice, patient care and service delivery, there are common themes that have come to light since bidding began for the first group in IPS/OPS. These include:

• Pressure to bid is complicated by the concurrent open enrollment that is due to close on November 26.
• Concern for an adequate orientation time period following reallocation, including vacancy in the clinical educator for Periop. We understand there is one that will assist with PCU/PACU/OPR. The contract describes 3 weeks, but we consider this to be a minimum. Overlake can and ought to offer what nurses need to make successful transitions.
• Concern about the new requirement of taking call with safety, comfort, and confidence.
• Lack of diversity of bidding options: shift length, hours of shifts, days of the week and FTEs.
• Significant risks to patient care and nursing practice for nurses who have been working standard 8-hour shifts. We believe this lack of adequate 8-hour shift options creates inequitable treatment for nurses who must work 8 hours due to child or family care responsibilities. There is also a great deal of research on the risks associated with working beyond 8 hours in a shift, regardless of the age of the nurse.
• Deep concern for retention of nurses, surgical technicians, and others because of this reallocation.

Reallocation overview:

Article 9 in your collective bargaining agreement (CBA) describes the terms and conditions of reallocation of nursing positions. Overlake has communicated with nurses regarding the timelines for rebidding, occurring presently, and the implementation of the change in March 2026.

There are grave concerns that are both broadly and deeply felt amongst nurses. We shared a solidarity petition regarding the effects of the reallocation at the Hospital Staffing Committee on November 13 and again at the Conference Committee with Overlake leadership on November 14. Any coordinated union action is legally protected activity. We are gratified that so many nurses have reached out and/or joined us to discuss the numerous effects of the reallocation process. The affected nurse’s direct input will guide our discussion with Overlake. Nurses are also encouraged to read all Overlake communications and bring questions, concerns to Human Resources as well. The HR director email is julee.rodda@overlakehospital.org

Questions regarding open enrollment can be directed to the HR director or the benefits specialist, Melissa Snyder. Her contact information can be found on your Overlake intranet.

While Overlake has the contractual right to reallocate positions per your CBA, we have a duty to enforce the contract and represent the nurses effectively. Open enrollment for health benefits in 2026 is ending soon. It is just one very important factor the nurses must consider as an effect of the reallocation. We described many others above. During this challenging time, stay tuned to all employer and WSNA communications for updates.

You can find the section Reallocation in article 9, Seniority, beginning on pg. 20 https://cdn.wsna.org/assets/local-unit-assets/overlake-hospital-medical-center/Overlake-contract-2024-2027.pdf

Reallocation key points summary:

• Overlake notifies WSNA of intent to reallocate positions 21 days in advance of notice to employees, with some basic information. We have posted the FAQ summary from Overlake on your WSNA local unit webpage for Overlake RN’s.
• On November 6, notice was sent to affected nurses in surgical services departments.
• First group rebid: IPS/OPS

All part and full-time nurses in these departments rebid over the course of 7 days by email, using Microsoft Forms. Any nurse on a leave will be contacted by Overlake to ensure they have notice to participate in the rebid. Overlake then has 7 days to notify nurses of what bid position they will be offered, based upon ranked choice and seniority service hours, skills, and experience. Usually, the nurses would have 14 days to make the change, however, Overlake has identified an effective date of the change to occur in March of 2026. There is a great deal of work to operationalize this reallocation, including gaining a clinical educator, Surgical Services director, other interim positions to be filled, curriculum development and tailored education/orientation/confirmation of competency and confidence with the new positions in Surgical Services.

• Second group rebid: Surgical Technicians (not WSNA represented)

This group of non-RNs will follow a similar manner for rebidding.

• Third group rebid: OPR/PACU/PCU

All part and full-time nurses in these departments rebid together over the course of 7 days by email, using Microsoft Forms. Overlake has 7 days to notify nurses of what bid position they will be offered, based upon ranked choice and seniority service hours, skills, and experience. Usually, the nurses would have 14 days to make the change, however, Overlake has identified an effective date of the change to occur in March of 2026. There is a great deal of work to operationalize this reallocation, including gaining a clinical educator, curriculum development and tailored education/orientation/confirmation of competency and confidence with the new positions in Surgical Services. We have recently learned that the PACU educator will support this work.

IV Therapy considerations:

Overlake notified WSNA and the nurses on night shift of the intent to reduce services by eliminating the 2 IV Therapy positions on that shift. While we recognize the employer may reallocate according to the terms of the union contract, we have a disagreement with the employer’s interpretation of how seniority shall be honored across the entire department in this reallocation.

On a related note, with the reduction to IV therapy services on night shift, we have become aware that there is an IV proficiency and certification training that is offered through Overlake. The IV therapy nurses at Overlake are among the best! They regularly guide nurses to learn and grow in this skill set through practical, direct training. Please do not delay in signing up for a course. Contact your unit manager for how to sign up. Nurses are encouraged to utilize the continuing education funds if you choose to take additional courses outside of Overlake. This learning is beneficial regardless of what occurs with IV Therapy positions.

The FAQ specifically regarding this reallocation is posted on your local unit webpage.

We will send an update after our discussion with Overlake on November 25 to all nurses regarding any dialogue or progress made.

In unity,

Chris Birchem, Chair, OSS 
Heidi Scharnitzke, Secretary, Labor, and Delivery
Crissy Sekine, Treasurer, IMI
Katie Gugliotta, Grievance officer, ED
Brandon Yokoyama, Membership co-officer, ED
Michael Golembo, Membership co-officer, IMI

Questions? Contact your WSNA local unit officers or Nurse Representative Tara Barnes tbarnes@wsna.org

You can find officer and Nurse Rep contact information, your 2024-2027 union contract, and WSNA communications to Overlake RNs on this web page.

If you use social media, please join the private WSNA FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/OverlakeRNs

And follow us on Instagram https://www.facebook.com/groups/OverlakeRNs