Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center

We have had another disappointing negotiation day with very minimal movement at the table. We did successfully fight off management’s proposal to subject more nurses to mandatory shift rotation.

We have our work set out for us to fight off:

• Losing sick (EIT) time and having it replaced with inadequate short-term disability
• Reduction of PTO for some nurses
• Unpredictability with health insurance
• Trying to weaken us as a union with open shop
• Increasing supplemental requirements
• Increasing mandatory call for unexpected vacancies on call units
• Eliminating the part-time nurse salary option
• An insulting 0.5% across the board wage increases for each year

We are working hard to improve staffing and language on workplace violence to keep nurses and patients safe. Our next negotiation dates are Feb. 21 and Feb. 27.

Share the file below of the sign with family and friends so they can print and post it from home!

In solidarity,

Your WSNA Negotiation Team

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Rep Jaclyn Perkins at jperkins@wsna.org.

Day five of negotiations is complete. Management has made a number of very aggressive proposals that will negatively affect our collective voice, our working conditions, our life away from work and our paycheck! Below are some of management's troubling proposals:

• Getting rid of the union security clause so as to weaken our union voice
• Eliminating the Part Time nurse salary option
• Decreasing Supplemental Nurse Premium to 10%
• Phasing out EIT (Extended Illness Time) and proposing an unsatisfactory Short-Term Disability plan
• Reducing PTO for many nurses
• Health Benefit uncertainties
• An insulting 0.5% across-the-board wage increase each year of the contract
• Pay for performance, tying other wage increases to patient satisfaction/safety scores
• Allowing management to hire nurses lower on the step scale than allowed under the current contract
• Forcing more nurses to be subject to mandatory shift rotation

It’s time to put nurse and patient safety first. We know it can be difficult to attend these meetings before or after a long day at work, but it is important to attend so we know how much support we have, we can hear your concerns and we can answer your questions. PLEASE make it a priority to come to the next local unit meeting and show our negotiating team that you are supporting their efforts for a fair RN contract.

Feb. 7, 2019

Teamsters Hall: 1912 N Division St

8-9 a.m., 1:30-2:30 p.m., 4-5 p.m., 8-9 p.m.

Updates on what is happening at the table will be discussed, as well as future actions.

*Please park on the side of the building away from the front door. The attendance of nurses has been so high to these meetings, it has become cumbersome for surrounding businesses. Thank you!

Now is the time to get organized so that all 1800 RNs in the bargaining unit are informed and involved. Organization, communication and unity will help us stay strong and fight management's negative proposals. We need reps from every unit posting information on your unit WSNA boards, sending updates via text or email and spreading the word about what we are fighting for in our contract. We would like to update our floor rep list and have a meeting to start organizing and streamlining our message. Please contact WSNA Nurse Rep Jaclyn at Jperkins@wsna.org if you are a floor rep, what unit you are from and your contact information or if you would like to be a floor rep.

Your bargaining unit has formed a CAT team consisting of a group of nurses aside from the negotiating team, solely for the purposes of ACTION. These nurses are working hard to support the negotiating team and are planning public campaigns and dispatch! If you want to join them on the CAT team, please email WSNA Nurse Rep Debi at dbessmer@wsna.org.

Volunteers are creating t-shirts to wear to future actions and on our days off. We are also creating yard signs and car signs and will notify everyone when they are ready.

1. WEAR your buttons every day!
2. COMMENT and LIKE posts on Facebook Sacred Heart RNs - Nurses at the Heart and The Nurse Brigade.
3. WEAR blue on Tuesdays to support our team and show unity to administration.
4. TALK, TALK, TALK - Spread the word about negotiations to fellow RNs. Get involved!
5. CHECK YOUR PERSONAL EMAIL for updates. If you are not getting email updates from WSNA, send your email address to Jperkins@wsna.org.
6. VISIT this page often for local unit updates.

We received the remainder of the employer's proposals and there is a lot to be concerned about. They are proposing to tie wages to performance and undo your union security clause which you fought hard for and it will weaken your collective voice. They are seeking drastic changes to your leave provisions including eliminating EIT (Extended Illness Time) and replacing it with a Short Term Disability plan.

In unity,

Your WSNA Negotiation Team

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Jaclyn Perkins, BSN, RN at jperkins@wsna.org.

Day #3 of negotiations is complete. WSNA has introduced proposals for competitive wage and benefit packages to attract and retain nurses, for staffing that will ensure the safety of nurses and their patients and that will allow nurses to take meal and rest periods and much-needed vacations. We have also made proposals to increase various premiums and to enhance health insurance benefits and to protect nurses from increased health insurance costs in addition to proposals we made regarding floating. We also have submitted a comprehensive proposal to address workplace violence.

We are disappointed that we have had three days of bargaining and management has not yet given us a wage or benefit proposal and has “reserved” several important areas of contract for future proposals. Management has promised to give us their complete proposal during the next bargaining session. Some of management’s initial proposals are troubling. For example, management is proposing that it be allowed to give new hires less credit for experience than they currently receive, which would negatively impact recruiting for nurses with experience, and to reduce the supplemental premium while imposing new, onerous scheduling requirements for supplemental nurses, which will make Sacred Heart a much less attractive place for supplemental nurses. They are also proposing to subject more nurses to mandatory shift rotation.

As you can see, we have our work cut out for us – but we are energized and up for the challenge! A special thanks to all of our colleagues who prepared snacks and treats for us during our long days of negotiations. It is much appreciated!

Our next day to bargain is Dec. 18.

Questions? We got answers. We, your negotiating team, will provide more detailed information on what is happening at the table during the next series of local unit meetings.

You can contact a negotiation team member or WSNA Nurse Representative Jaclyn Perkins, BSN, RN at jperkins@wsna.org for more information.

Day two of negotiations is complete. Management brought forth some of their proposals but nothing yet on wages or benefits. We did present a proposal on workplace violence. There are some very significant proposals on the table.

We have seen managements intranet negotiation update site, please realize this is just management's perspective. We are not endorsing this site. To get negotiation information, please watch for our updates and come to the local unit meeting.

Next day to bargain is Nov. 28. Management has canceled negotiations for Dec. 4 due to a family related issue.

Reminder: Tuesdays are “Blues days.” Wear blue while at work every Tuesday to show your solidarity and continue wearing those buttons!

Questions? Contact a negotiating team member:

Stevie Lynne Krone - 9N, KT Raley Jones - CICU, Clint Wallace - ICU, LaDonna Reel - Mother Baby, Darryl Johnson - CICU, Nonie Kingma - AGPU, Vicki Benson - Radiology, Linda Clanton - IV Therapy, David Emerson - 7N, Lee Ayers - PACU, Inga Matheson - CICU, Abigail Berry - OR or WSNA Nurse Representative Jaclyn Perkins, BSN, RN at 1-800-231-8482, ext. 3112 or jperkins@wsna.org.

WSNA, along with our team of nurses, presented our comprehensive proposal to management. We plan to hear a response to our proposals during the next session as well as what they plan to propose. Our next day to bargain is Nov. 16.

Come to the Local Unit Rep meeting on Nov. 15 from 5 -7 p.m at Frankie Doodles. “Nurses at the Heart” buttons will be available for buttoning up.

Questions? Contact a negotiating team member:

• Stevie-Lynne Krone - 9N
• KT Raley-Jones - CICU
• Clint Wallace - ICU
• LaDonna Reel - MB
• Darryl Johnson - CICU
• Nonie Kingma - AGPU
• Vicki Benson - Radiology
• Linda Clanton - IV therapy
• David Emerson - 7N
• Lee Ayers - PACU
• Inga Matheson - CICU
• Abigail Berry - OR

Or our WSNA nurse representative, Jaclyn Perkins BSN, RN, at 1-800-231-8482, ext. 3118 or at jperkins@wsna.org.

Come to the next local unit rep meeting and pick up your WSNA buttons to hand out on your unit.

Date: Nov. 15, 2018
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Where: FrankieDoodle Restaurant (30 E. 3^rdAve., Spokane, WA)
RSVP: Jaclyn Perkins, RN, WSNA Nurse Rep
1-800-231-8482, ext. 3118
jperkins@wsna.org

Dear WSNA nurses,

WSNA Nurse Rep Jaclyn Perkins, BSN, RN will be WSNA/Sacred Heart Medical Center's representative beginning Nov. 1. Jaclyn comes with experience and years of practice. I know you will all welcome her and together, you will continue to make positive changes for Sacred Heart nurses!

I look forward to continuing the unity at other WSNA facilities, and I stand with you in solidarity – always.

Jaclyn can be reached at jperkins@wsna.org or at 1-800-231-8482, ext. 3118.

You can also contact your officers by calling the voice-tel number at 1-866-305-5612.

In solidarity,

Debi Bessmer, BSN, RN
WSNA Nurse Rep

Our negotiation team is in place and ready to meet with the employer. The team has spent many hours preparing. Our priorities have been set by your responses to the negotiations survey and ongoing feedback regarding issues and concerns about our current contract. We will work for wages, benefits and conditions that allow RNs to deliver safe and effective patient care.

We have the following dates confirmed for negotiations: Nov. 5, Nov. 16, Nov. 28, Dec. 4, and Dec. 18. Stay tuned for updates as each session continues. The following is a list of our fellow RNs who have volunteered to represent us all on the negotiation team:

• Stevie-Lynne Krone - 9N
• KT Raley-Jones - CICU
• Clint Wallace - ICU
• LaDonna Reel - MB
• Darryl Johnson -CICU
• Nonie Kingma - AGPU
• Vicki Benson - Radiology
• Linda Clanton - IV therapy
• David Emerson - 7N
• Lee Ayers - PACU
• Inga Matheson - CICU
• Abigail Berry - OR

My name is Darryl Johnson. I have a BA in political science and economics from the University of Washington and I have a BSN from Washington State University. I have worked for PSHMC as an RN for a little over 10 years; one year on 8 South, nine years CICU and one year in Cath Lab. The further I have gone through my career, I have come aware of how important a union is needed to protect fellow employees from overreaching management. I have stepped forward to be grievance officer so fellow union members won't have to go through what I went through. I will help you in every which way I can.

Thank you,

Darryl Johnson

Contact officers by calling: 1-866-305-5612

Come join us for a local unit rep meeting. We need to hear from you as we prepare for negotiations.

When: Sept. 12, 2018

Time: 5 to 7 p.m.

Where: FrankieDoodle Restaurant (30 E. 3^rd Ave, Spokane WA)

RSVP to WSNA Nurse Rep Debi Bessmer, RN at 1-800-231-8482, ext. 3112 or at dbessmer@wsna.org.

We encourage anyone interested in becoming a Local Unit Rep for their floor to join us. See you there!

In this issue:

1. Officer of the Quarter
2. Spokane Leadership Summit
3. Did you know by being a WSNA represented nurse in Spokane you are a member of the Spokane Alliance?
4. Negotiation updates
5. We are on Facebook! Upcoming events

“My name is Stevie Lynne Krone. I am a Registered Nurse at Sacred Heart Medical Center and the current WSNA Co-Chair representing the nurses in the SHMC/WSNA bargaining unit. I have been a member of WSNA for over five years and have been an energetic participant in my local unit activities including pickets, walks and petitions. I am now serving my first term in office as we head into contract negotiations for 2018, utilizing both voice and action from my experience working alongside a powerful and strong brigade of nurses. I have practiced on nearly all the units of my hospital as a Float Pool nurse and now I can dedicate more time in supporting my occupational brothers and sisters as a supplemental on the Cardiac Medical Unit.

I have also utilized my skills as a music artist to benefit and promote a sense of unity, especially with the release of my song “We Are the People.”

It is my passion to serve my community with wholesome medical care as well as focus my allegiance to protect and promote the safety of the nurses that serve beside me.”

If you are a local unit rep or a local unit officer, please contact jperkins@wsna.org to be featured in the next regional newsletter. We are constantly looking for leaders to feature!

Thanks to those of you who attended the Spokane Leadership Summit on April 14, 2018, at the Red Lion. Not only was it a great opportunity to network with fellow nurses in your area, all nurses walked away with 6 CNEs. Nurses from Sacred Heart, Holy Family, Spokane Veterans Home, Spokane Regional Health District and St. Luke’s Rehab were all there. Topics that were covered: Janus vs AFSME, workplace violence and the new Staffing Law.

Thank you for your participation!

In case you missed it, there are more Summits to come! Go to www.wsna.org/union/leadership to find out more. Registration incentives are being offered by the WSNA cabinet including a $50 reimbursement credit for one night’s stay. The next Summit is at Campbell’s Resort on Lake Chelan on Sept. 30-Oct. 1. Registration is open now

Spokane Alliance is a group of nonpartisan, proactive, everyday citizens dedicated to making Spokane a better place for all to live and thrive. You’ll find them working for change in churches and classrooms, in living rooms and union halls, in City Hall and in Olympia.

For more than 10 years, Spokane Alliance has worked to improve public transportation, increase job opportunities and green building requirements among other issues. They are a non-profit supported by the dues of our member organizations, individuals and foundations. The Alliance is affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation, a coalition of like-minded organizations in cities across the United States, the UK, Germany, Canada and Australia.

At Spokane Alliance, they believe that by working together we have the power to change our communities for the better. And they do more than just sign petitions and protest; together, they take action. If you’re interested in helping with the Spokane Alliance as a WSNA nurse, please contact jperkins@wsna.org. WSNA is actively partnering to create opportunities to help improve the community through access to medical care for patients. Visit iafnw.org/spokanealliance to find out more about what is currently being worked on. We can direct you on how you can help!

Lots of work is being done by your WSNA staff and officers in the region. Get the bigger scoop:

• St. Luke’s Rehab – 7 sessions complete. Lots of issues still on the table and we are disappointed at the amount of progress. There are still a lot of items to work through including wages, benefits, staffing, rest breaks and layoff language. Next day to bargain is Sept. 7. The negotiating team of nurses is: Fran Castillo (CVA), Linda Spurgeon (CVA) and Jonelle Polley (Infection Control RN).
• Spokane Regional Health District – currently gathering a team of nurses and prepping the contract. Surveys are complete. First day of negotiations is Sept. 6. Negotiating team of nurses is: Jan Yoder, RN, Melissa Charbonneau, RN, Amy Cross, RN and Deborah Taylor, RN.
• Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center – preparations and bargaining will begin fall of 2018. The negotiating team members are: Stevie Lynn Krone (9N), KT Raley-Jones (CICU), Clint Wallace (ICU), LaDonna Reel (MB), Nonie Kingma (AGPU), Debbie Cameron (5S), Linda Clanton (IV Therapy), David Emerson (7N), Darryl Johnson (Cath Lab), Lee Ayres (PACU), Abigail Berry (OR), Vicki Benson (Radiology) and Inga Matheson (CICU).
• Providence Holy Family Hospital – recent grievance settlement for vacation/sick accrual for FT 12-hour nurses.
• Pullman Regional Health District – organizing local unit reps for each unit.
• Providence Visiting Nurses Association – a Tentative Agreement has been reached. Vote is upcoming.

Some of the WSNA local units in Spokane have Facebook pages which are kept up to date on happenings in labor, or within the local unit. Please take the time to “like” them and check them out! This is a great way to show solidarity for your labor brothers and sisters within your region.

WSNA Coug Football Night – save the date!

The Washington State University Cougars take on the Eastern Washington University Eagles on Sept. 15! WSNA nurses will receive a discounted rate on tickets, don’t miss out.

2019 Washington State Nurses Convention

Come join us on May 1-3, 2019 for Washington’s only statewide convention dedicated to nurses and the issues we face. We are focused on transforming health care through the power of nursing.

Come join us for a local unit rep meeting as we start preparing for our negotiations.

When: June 27, 2018

Time: 5-7 p.m.

Where: FrankieDoodle Restaurant (30 E. 3^rd Ave, Spokane WA)

RSVP to WSNA Nurse Rep Debi Bessmer, RN at 1-800-231-8482, ext. 3112 or at dbessmer@wsna.org.

We encourage anyone interested in becoming a Local Unit Rep for their floor to join us.