Hello again to our bargaining unit nurses. Yesterday, July 10, we met with management for our fourth bargaining session.

Workplace Violence (WPV) – New and Improved Article

We are pleased to report that in the fourth bargaining session with the hospital, and the second session this week, your WSNA bargaining team successfully presented the majority of our non-economic proposal changes to the contract. Among the proposals was a crucial new article on Workplace Violence, which clearly defines WPV and outlines the obligations we expect the hospital to uphold, along with established committees and WPV prevention measures that would be grievable should the hospital fail to comply.

New Technology – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and more

Additionally, we introduced a robust article on Technology usage. Key highlights include limits on virtual nurse impacts on staffing, enhanced limitations and guidelines for AI's role in patient and family communication, and restrictions on utilizing AI for tracking nurse efficiency, staffing levels, and disciplinary measures. The language we proposed is heavily influenced by direct recommendations from the ANA and aligns with successful collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) from children's hospitals.

Safe Staffing and Other Protections

We have also refined existing articles, including updates to Article 4, which further clarifies clinical groupings with the intent of limiting inpatient floating to similar care and training areas, as well as specifying the roles of our float pool nurses. Our proposals also encompass important updates to Articles 14, 17, 18, and 19, along with a compelling request for pay parity for our Eastern Washington nurses and per diem staff.

Toward the end of the day, the hospital positively responded to many of our proposals regarding Article 6 - Seniority. Their willingness to consider our reasonable requests was a commendable step in our negotiations. We are set to meet with the hospital again in two weeks, and we are optimistic about continuing this collaborative and professional dialogue as we work towards a final agreement. Our plans are to start the anticipated economics proposals when we meet next with the hospital. All in all, today was an agreeable day.

Observer Spotlight

Hiya! My name is Khara, I work on CBDC Inpatient. I was an observer during the most recent negotiation session between WSNA and SCH. It was pretty interesting to watch the process and how detailed our team is. They literally focus on all the possible meanings of each word to avoid loopholes and sneaky misinterpretations in our nursing contract. What I was most impressed by was how passionate, intelligent, and prepared our team is!

By observing the negotiations, I was not only able to understand more about how hard our team is fighting for us, but I gained a better understanding of the nuances of our contract and what we are up against...it's eye opening, for sure. I'd really encourage all WSNA nurses to experience the negotiations. The hospital really needs to see nurses united behind our negotiations team at the table. PLUS... you know you want ALL the best tea.

Grab your popcorn and RSVP for a front-row seat to watch the art of negotiation in action!

Upcoming bargaining dates for July at the WSNA offices in Tukwila:

• Monday, July 21
• Tuesday, July 22

Save The Date for our in-person WSNA Local Unit Meeting!

• When: August 2 from 10 am – 1 pm
• Where: Mountaineers (7700 Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98115)
• FREE food and in-depth updates

Other things to keep on your radar:

• Come get your FREE WSNA T-shirt and meet with members of our bargaining team on July 15 (Tuesday) in the Cafeteria at noon and don’t forget to wear your union blue every Wednesday!

• Every other Friday, Officers and members of our bargaining team host a drop-in meet and greet at Magnuson Brewery

Want to help in another way or have more fun ideas on how to bring us all together? Reach out to any of our officers or our WSNA Organizer Crystal Doll at CDoll@wsna.org.

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, Lori Hall, Regan Halom, Jon McAferty, Anna Marie Fountain and Bree Casas

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