Group grievance update, break relief role:

We met with Overlake earlier this month to present the step 2 grievance to enforce the contract. We conveyed the importance of upholding article 10.7.1 for the benefit of safe patient care and clinical nursing practice. We are formulating next steps in accordance with the formal grievance procedure in article 18 of your WSNA contract. At Hospital Staffing Committee (HSC), there are improved grids approved for January 2027. Per the safe staffing law, the HSC charter and your contract, the grid changes were passed by a vote of at least 50% plus one with equal voting members from WSNA and Overlake. Please note, however, we remain apart in the interpretation of the break relief role since May 1, 2024. Therefore, the grievance will advance to step 3.

Hospital Staffing Committee from WSNA HSC chair and members:

CCU, West 4, East 4, East 5, South 4, South 5 and PPU staffing plans were presented with increased staffing of either/and RN and PCT at certain census points. Why? The 2026 staffing plans presented challenges to consistent safe staffing and often reflected in assignment despite objection (ADO) submissions. Your manager will be able to provide the new grid for viewing and reference that is scheduled to launch in January of 2027. The staffing plan should be publicly posted and viewable on your unit each shift. Thank you to all the nurses who continue to contribute to the process-improvement function of ADO submission and the work of the unit-based staffing committees that dug into trouble spots. The minutes of the HSC are at the end of this communication.

Here is a message from your HSC WSNA chair, Dulce Chavez:

The staffing grids approved at the Hospital Staffing Committee (HSC) on August 27 represent a positive step forward compared to our current model. We greatly appreciate the collaborative efforts of both management and staff to evaluate our current grids, align on the core issues, and identify pathways for improvement. These new grids bring us closer to the standards nurses have been advocating for. However, significant work remains to be done. Our priority continues to be securing safe nurse-to-patient ratios, ensuring charge nurses have no patient assignments, and guaranteeing that the hospital provides a dedicated break relief nurse for every unit on every shift. Per Article 10.7.1 of our 2024–2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement, a break relief nurse was mandated for every unit. While the newly approved grids do include this role, they are not scheduled to go live until January 2027. Given that we are already nearing the end of 2026 without full implementation, Overlake remains in contractual violation of the agreement originally established in 2024.

How can every Overlake RN actively support this local unit work?

As union nurses, more Overlake RNs have shown support for staffing and the break relief role by:

1. submitting ADOs every shift they assess that it is indicated.
2. If you submit an ADO, respond to your manager regarding the conversation that is necessary to discuss whether or not to resolve.
3. always attempting to take each break
4. communicating during the shift with the charge nurse and/or management when it becomes clear that it may not be possible to take the break.
5. always accurately attesting every shift when clocking out whether or not each break was taken. It is crucial to continue this and each of the above practices to achieve our shared goals for the benefit of Overlake RNs and the patients in your care.

Union steward training, getting ready for negotiations:

As promised, a series of union steward trainings will be offered regularly as we prepare for the next contract negotiations.  You may recall that we have communicated to the nurses how essential it is to have more union stewards at all times. The goal is 1 steward for every 10 RNs. WSNA first launched this training at the 2026 Level Up Leadership Conference in April. Why? To better support a healthy local unit that is both unified and engaged for your shared benefit and interests. This is even more critical in preparation for negotiating the next contract. We expect that negotiations will start quite early in 2027. Stay tuned for the full pre-negotiations survey in early October. High participation in the survey will properly prepare the negotiation team members to clearly focus on the priorities of the Overlake RNs.

The August HSC minutes are posted to your WSNA webpage that describe the voting process and grid changes in narrative form, in addition to the other business of the HSC, such as review of every ADO and a vote as to whether or not it should be resolved. The work of your HSC is continuous and valuable, please continue to support their efforts 😊 

LINK TO HSC minutes

Questions about this email? Contact a local unit officer with contact information on your WSNA webpage or Nurse Representative Tara Barnes tbarnes@wsna.org

Link to your WSNA webpage https://www.wsna.org/union/overlake-hospital-medical-center