Meal Period Waiver and Rest and Meal Period Scheduling Waiver

We have heard that management is asking nurses to declare any meal or rest break scheduling waivers by Nov 15, and that nurses have a lot of questions surrounding this topic. This Q and A has been drafted to help guide you in your decision. Any further questions can be sent to [email protected] 

If I waive my meal break, will I forfeit my rights under the contract? NO. Appendix C of your WSNA contract speaks to the waiving of meal and rest breaks. 

Does signing the waiver change my rights under the contract? NO

Has this waiver been bargained? YES. The waiver you are being asked to sign, was bargained by your team this past spring. Therefore, it is in line with your collective bargaining agreement. 

How can I access the WSNA Contract? You can access the WSNA contract, or any other unit specific information anytime of day 24/7 by visiting your Sacred Heart Medical Center local unit webpage on the WSNA website. To do this, go to wsna.org. Select “Union” on the banner at the top of the screen, and scroll down to “Find your local unit”. All units WSNA represents will be listed here. Find Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center under the Eastern Washington section. This page will hold all important documents such as any MOU’s, your contract, or any communications that have been sent out to the nurses. Bookmark this page for easy quick access!

Where in the contract is the meal waiver spoken to? See Article 8.5.4 Waiver, and Appendix C for all information about your waiver!

Will the waiver impact existing break protections? NO. The waiver simply means you are forgoing a meal break. 

Can I change my choice to waive or not to waive at any time? YES

Should you have any further questions on this, contact a local unit officer or your Nurse Rep

Contract Highlight!
Disciplines Removal after 2 yrs

If you have been impacted by a disciplinary action, and it’s been two years since it occurred, it is time to have it removed from your personal file. Article 9.7.1 speaks to the disciplinary process and removal of any disciplines if “After two (2) years, if no further disciplinary action is applied, the nurse may request written warning notices be removed from his/her personnel file. Any reference to them on the interim performance progress notes will also be discarded after this two (2) year period.”

Keep in mind, nurses must make this request! Be sure to do it via email to your manager or local HR rep, and get everything in writing. If you have any troubles, contact your Nurse Rep

Nurse Rep Alle Machorro RN returns Nov 2!

That’s right! Alle Machorro Nurse Rep will be returning to represent the nurses at Sacred Heart Nov 2, and the coverage Jaclyn Smedley Nurse Rep has provided these past 6 months will end. It’s been a true pleasure working with the Sacred Heart nurses and officer team and I look forward to the possibility again!

Should you have any WSNA questions or needs after Nov 2, contact [email protected]

In unity,

Jaclyn Smedley BSN, RN