If you haven’t signed the picket pledge for August 9 yet, find a unit rep, officer, or bargaining team member and sign up now! Or contact Nurse Rep Travis Elmore Nelson at telmore@wsna.org. The picket times will be scheduled to maximize the number of nurses who can attend. Our ability to win a great contract is tied to our strength and solidarity – we need every nurse on the picket line!

What happened at the table?

Management gave us an economic counterproposal that was….underwhelming. They proposed 7.5% for RNs in Steps 1-5 and 6.6% for RNs in Steps 6 and up in the first year, 3% for everyone in year two, 2.5% in year three, and are holding on to a contract expiration at 1/31/26 with an added 1.5% in that last year. Management finally gave us a counter on wage progression through the step system, but only proposed lowering the total hours needed to go up a step from the equivalent of a .8 FTE to a .75 FTE – we’re glad they finally engaged but they need to go further. They also proposed adding another ghost step (only two more to go!). Thanks to our four observers for sticking out all day with us!

The bargaining team has been devoting much time to developing innovative ways to make raises equitable – so that compensation is rewarding to nurses who’ve been at Children's for many years, sufficiently substantial so that newer nurses are raised enough to be able to afford to live in the community, and that the nurses from across the country are attracted enough to come work with us.

What’s next?

There is plenty on the agenda!

• Next Wednesday, several SCH WSNA nurses will meet with Seattle and Washington State legislators! We’ve heard from many legislators that they’re concerned about nurses’ issues at Children’s and want to hear directly from us.
• Also Wednesday, our second financial report drops (here’s the first financial report).
• Last week, the bargaining team demanded to meet directly with the Board of Trustees. Our request was denied, but Dr. Sperring offered to meet with some nurses under certain terms. We’re currently discussing what those terms are and whether they’ll work to actually have a meaningful dialog.
• Picket August 9! We’ll be putting out a “Picket FAQ” soon to answer the questions we’re getting.

What have we been doing?

We had a great Local Unit Meeting last week with dynamic discussions and great Q&A. Check out all these pictures!