Update from WSNA in response to outreach inquiries about private lawsuit for timecard rounding and missed breaks, meal periods

This is time sensitive.

WSNA has received inquiries regarding the private suit brought by Overlake employees regarding time clock rounding and missed breaks in recent months. We have communicated with nurses that the suit is not a WSNA proceeding and that all inquiries are to be answered by the firm representing the Overlake employees.

Here is a communication we have received from the firm:

We (the firm) are (is) negotiating a final settlement with Overlake which will enable people who cash Overlake’s individual settlement checks sent out in January to also receive money from the class settlement if their work records entitle them to it, so we (the firm) recommend that you cash your individual settlement check now if you have not already done so. The deadline is July 15, so don’t wait!

Going forward, please continue to send your inquiries directly to bjtlawyers.com inbox, attention Cindy, and Dan as contacts, regarding the progress and status of the suit and any outcomes.

For all other needs, questions or concerns relating to the Overlake WSNA RNs:

We have reviewed 6 months’ worth of daily staffing and breaks information and utilized that in our group Breaks Grievance on behalf of the nurses for violation of articles including but not limited to the break relief role described in 10.7.1. We had our step 1 meeting and will update the nurses on the status of that grievance per the terms and provisions of your WSNA contract.

Please continue to attempt to take all your breaks and communicate on the shift if you are having barriers, challenges gaining those breaks. Always attest 100% accurately regarding any missed breaks or meal periods. Utilize the quick and easy assignment despite objection (ADO) form to report staffing concerns, which may or may not include missed breaks, https://www.wsna.org/union/ado.

Special notes:

1. Please document unsuccessful IV start attempts in the medical record. Consider filing an online ADO as well. Your hospital staffing committee is tracking this to evaluate the effects of the discontinuation of the IV nurse on night shift.
2. Your manager is required to follow up and discuss the ADO. Answer any questions regarding details that may be needed and your clinical opinion whether the ADO is resolved or not. This is important to assist the Hospital Staffing Committee (HSC) in its duty to evaluate the ADOs every month and assess for episodic versus trends that require further attention with respect to safe staffing. Follow the instructions to respond to ADOs from your manager. Thanks to the nurses who are engaging in support of the work of the HSC, that is for the benefit of all. The HSC takes this work very seriously and appreciates your participation.

Please contact a local unit officer or Nurse Representative Tara Barnes tbarnes@wsna.org

Link to your WSNA local unit web page for officer contact information, recent communications and contract or related documents https://www.wsna.org/union/overlake-hospital-medical-center

If you use social media and are an Overlake WSNA RN, you may click join to be admitted to the private Facebook group or follow on the public Instagram:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OverlakeRNs
https://www.instagram.com/wsna_overlake/