On April 16, we met with the Hospital for our fifth bargaining session. The Hospital has communicated a desire to get these negotiations wrapped up as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the proposal we received yesterday suggested otherwise. If the Hospital’s goal is to conclude negotiations expeditiously, we will need meaningful movement in our direction.

Some movement by the Hospital, but NOT enough

We opened the day with a comprehensive counterproposal from the Hospital. Although there was some movement by the Hospital, it was not nearly enough. Some high-level highlights:

• Seniority Calculation – The Hospital made a clear statement that they were in alignment with us to be fair and equitable in determining seniority. We discussed options.
• Years of Experience Recognition – The Hospital engaged in robust and productive conversations with us about recognizing nurses’ years of experience.
• Low Census – There was no movement from the Hospital on low census. We asked clarifying questions about how they envisioned the scenario of low census to come up. They requested additional time to process the inquiry and respond.
• Floating – The Hospital proposed language that would have the nurses float within the Case Management Department, so long as they were competent and trained to do so. We were not aligned with any required floating and maintained it should be voluntary.
• Economics – The Hospital proposed applying the hourly framework in Article 8. Our team was pleased to hear that they are not ‘rejecting the concept’ of a retroactive payment for merit-based increases.
• Weekend Baylor – The Hospital maintained the proposal to limit Weekend Baylor to the 3 individuals currently working every weekend. We rejected that proposal and maintained it should include any nurse working this schedule.
• Remote Work – The Hospital maintained its’ position and discussed the recent communication from SCH’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT). Their team confirmed that any changes that may be made would not occur before October.
• Professional Governance & Staffing – We are aligned on the Unit Based Staffing Committee (UBSC) language. The Hospital continues to reject the inclusion of a staffing grid and safety parameters.
• Transition of Benefits & Leave – Although we have alignment in a number of areas, we continue to be far apart on Personal/Holiday Banks and Non-FMLA Leave.

Our team is committed to this fight for a STRONG & FAIR contract. We will be back at the table on April 30. In the meantime, we are doing important work to strengthen our position at the (virtual) bargaining table!

Years of Experience Parity Form

Now that we are passing proposals on specific economics, we need to know your years of experience. Our goal is to maximize your financial position. Please take a moment and complete the Years of Experience Parity Form in the link below if you have not already done so. Send the completed form to WSNA Nurse Rep Linda Burbank at Lburbank@wsna.org.

We are WSNA – Stay Engaged

• Stay informed - Read all WSNA communications and status updates
• Engage & Participate – Watch for important updates on how to support your Bargaining Team at the table
• Join the virtual Sip & Chat every Monday following bargaining – next Sip & Chat is on April 20 from 5 – 7 pm (let’s discuss what happened in bargaining and next steps 🙂)
  
  Microsoft Teams meeting
  Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/21856913453444?p=S7dy8APbl56J9cc7Bg
  Meeting ID: 218 569 134 534 44
  Passcode: S63nf2gy
  Dial in by phone
  +1 206-485-2614,,632402878#  United States, Seattle
  (888) 313-0615,,632402878#  United States (Toll-free)
  Phone conference ID: 632 402 878#
  
• Provide Input/Feedback to your Bargaining Team
• Make sure you check out our WSNA webpage: https://www.wsna.org/union/seattle-childrens-hospital

See you at the Sip n Chat on Monday!

Upcoming Bargaining Dates 

• No Bargaining on April 23
• April 30 from 9 am – 5 pm
• May 7 from 9 am – 5 pm
• May 14 from 9 am – 5pm

Thank you to Tami Hance (CM RN) for joining as an Observer and providing valuable input!💙

In solidarity,
Your Bargaining Team
Alefiya Deards, UM RN 
Serena Stamper, TLC RN Care Manager
Ginger Nelson, RNCM

Questions? Contact your Bargaining Team or WSNA Nurse Rep Linda Burbank at lburbank@wsna.org.