Throughout this campaign, it is undeniable that the nurses at SCH stand united. There have been disagreements and even heated discussions on how to proceed, but underneath it all, there is an unshakeable desire and willingness to come together, to be a community, to look out for each other, and to sacrifice for the greater good of future nurses and patients alike.

Our unity is our strength.

With bated breath, we look forward to tomorrow’s session on 1/22/26 and though it is a small group session without observers, there are ways to help from wherever you are.

It is more important than it has ever been before that we show our unity in a big visible way as we continue to move forward through the bargaining process.

Actions to take on 1/22

Join us from 6:30 - 8 AM at the UW Montlake pedestrian bridge as we hang our “fair contract now!” banner and engage with members of the community around our fight.

Wear your blue WSNA shirt and button if you have one while you work Wednesday night or Thursday day. If you have an extra, bring it with you for someone who doesn’t have one yet.

Send an email to the new CEO- Chris Longhurst, Bonnie, and Jay. Here is a draft that you can use:

Join a workgroup- Strike workgroups are the foundation of a powerful action. They decide on and implement the infrastructure needed to support nurses throughout the duration, assessing and responding to needs as they arise. If you are interested, reach out to SCHstrike@wsna.org.

In case you missed it

We have had plenty of positive feedback around our last Wednesday Local Unit Informational sessions. For those who were not able to attend one of the sessions, here are the PowerPoint slides to review.

ULP(s) update

• WSNA filed an unfair labor practice charge against Seattle Children’s Hospital over its threats to withdraw its offer to pay retro pay to 9/1 if WSNA issues a strike notice.
• On December 23, 2025, the Hospital’s Executive Leadership Team sent an email to every nurse in the bargaining unit and told them that if WSNA issues a strike notice, the Hospital will take its offer off the table, and specifically that nurses will not receive retro pay.
• SCH delivered a similar message at the bargaining table on 12/23, saying a strike notice changes not just the Hospital’s position economically but other compromises the Hospital has made so far to get a deal.
• These threats to withdraw retro pay and other proposals that the Hospital knows are necessary to get a contract solely because WSNA issues a strike notice interferes with nurses’ ability to engage in protected, concerted activity, and interferes with our ability to reach a fair contract.
• Nurses’ right to strike is federally protected activity. Threatening to retaliate against nurses by taking away retro pay and other beneficial proposals just because a strike notice issues is potentially unlawful and certainly frustrates the collective bargaining process.
• We will not be intimidated by the Hospital. Our right to strike is protected and powerful—and the Hospital knows it. We will not back down in our fight for a fair contract.

In solidarity,

Your Bargaining Team

Annika Hoogestraat, Kara Yates, Lindsey Kirsch, Sam Forte, Katie Podobnik, Therese Hill, Kelsey Gellner, AJ Nagal, Emma Gordon, Sarah Munro, Cody Ian, Lauren Lustyk, Regan Halom, Jon McAferty and Anne Marie Fountain

WSNA Nurse Rep Linda Burbank at lburbank@wsna.org