Seattle Children's Hospital

We met today for our 10^th bargaining session. While we reached some tentative agreements on a few subjects, we are still far apart on other matters including wages. The hospital’s most recent proposal demonstrated very little movement at 2.75%/2.5%/2.0%. WSNA is advocating for wages that attract and retain nurses and takes into account the costs and challenges of living the greater Seattle area. We are currently proposing 4.5%/4.5%/4%.

We understand that a recent communication released by the hospital caused further confusion regarding benefits. WSNA has not agreed to health insurance premium cost sharing.

Additionally, we understand there are individuals who still have questions related to the employer's Time Away from Work program. To this end, WSNA believes conversations related to specific concerns are the best way to address individual questions, since benefits are a very complicated subject. Please note that the annual leave you accrue under Article 10.1 and the sick leave you accrue under 11.1 will continue into the next contract. We will also be holding more sessions for nurses to meet with officers to have their questions answered and to share any comments or concerns.

We have also heard from some nurses about a desire to have short term disability benefits. We would like to remind everyone that the Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave Act goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2020 and will provide up to a $1000 /week for 12 weeks or more, including bonding time. This state-administered program is designed to provide short term leave benefits. Please visit https://www.paidleave.wa.gov/workers for more information about this program.

Reminder – make sure we have your current private (not work) email address. That is the fastest way to receive timely updates. Please contact your Nurse Rep to update this information if there has been a change or if we don’t have your email address. If we have your current email and you are still not receiving updates, you may need to change your email settings to allow emails from WSNA to go to your inbox. If you are still not receiving emails, please contact WSNA and ask for the membership department. You can also view WSNA updates on the WSNA Children’s page. Remember, WSNA is your resource for all questions related to negotiations and other contract matters.

Please contact Edna Cortez, Local unit chair (ednapcortez722@gmail.com), one of your negotiation team members or your WSNA nurse rep, Sara Frey (sfrey@wsna.org), if you have questions or comments.

In solidarity,
your 2019 WSNA negotiation team - Edna Cortez (PACU), Lindsey Kirsch (ED), Diane Gates (PICU), Nancy Wilder (PACU), Ross Beaulaurier (Surgical RC5), Samantha Forte (Acute Care Float), Elizabeth Gideon (Rehab), Shaina Lawson (NICU), Sarah Munro (Bellevue Surg Center), Jennifer Pease (Bellevue Surg. Center), Maria Sixto (Airlift NW), Kara Yates (Medical)

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Sara Frey, JD, BSN, RN, at sfrey@wsna.org or 206-575-7979, Ext. 3039.

On Aug. 28 and 29 your contract negotiation team met with hospital management for negotiation sessions eight and nine. We had some good dialogue on issues and are happy to report the hospital withdrew its leave proposal. The most recent wage proposal from management is now at 2.5% on ratification, 2.5% in 2020 and 2% in 2021. We believe the currently proposed wage increases are insufficient to assure RNs at Seattle Children’s can afford to live near the hospital. Many issues such as staffing, employee health insurance premiums, parking and layoff language remain on the table.

Hospital administration and WSNA have agreed to a continuance of the current contract until Sept. 30. We meet next on Sept. 11 and it is our hope the hospital will come our way and agree to proposals that will attract and retain phenomenal RNs.

Please continue to wear your WSNA buttons and badge holders to show your support for a fair contract!

We are working to get a meeting time with members scheduled soon to provide an in person contract negotiation update and discuss future actions. Stay tuned!

Please contact Edna Cortez, local unit chair, one of your negotiation team members or your WSNA Nurse Rep. Sara Frey if you have questions or comments.

In solidarity,

Your 2019 WSNA negotiation team - Edna Cortez (PACU), Lindsey Kirsch (ED), Diane Gates (PICU), Nancy Wilder (PACU), Ross Beaulaurier (Surgical RC5), Samantha Forte (Acute Care Float), Elizabeth Gideon (Rehab), Shaina Lawson (NICU), Sarah Munro (Bellevue Surg Center), Jennifer Pease (Bellevue Surg. Center), Maria Sixto (Airlift NW), Kara Yates (Medical)

Children’s nurses have spoken about their strong opposition to the hospital leave and benefits proposal. We heard you loud and clear. Therefore, your team rejected the leave and benefits proposal and presented an economic proposal during our negotiation session on August 12 which maintains the status quo in terms of leaves and benefits. Unfortunately, management responded with a tone-deaf counter proposal that continued to push for the hospital’s leave and benefit package. This counter primarily included some transition language for sick time and vacation accruals as well as a small delay in the implementation of cost-sharing for premiums. Management also proposed a small wage increase in year three.

We did reach one tentative agreement which honors longevity on night shift after 2 years.

Your team continues to advocate for a fair contract. Our next sessions are on August 28 and 29.

Reminder – Do we have your current private (not work) email address? That is the fastest way to receive timely updates. Please contact your Nurse Rep to update this information if there has been a change or if we don’t have your email address. If we have your current email and you are still not receiving updates, you may need to change your email settings to allow emails from WSNA to go to your inbox. You can also view WSNA updates on the WSNA Children’s page at https://www.wsna.org/union/seattle-childrens-hospital. Remember, WSNA is your resource for all questions related to negotiations and other contract matters.

Please contact Edna Cortez, Local unit chair (ednapcortez722@gmail.com), one of your negotiation team members or your WSNA nurse rep, Sara Frey (sfrey@wsna.org), if you have questions or comments.

In solidarity,
your 2019 WSNA negotiation team - Edna Cortez (PACU), Lindsey Kirsch (ED), Diane Gates (PICU), Nancy Wilder (PACU), Ross Beaulaurier (Surgical RC5), Samantha Forte (Acute Care Float), Elizabeth Gideon (Rehab), Shaina Lawson (NICU), Sarah Munro (Bellevue Surg Center), Jennifer Pease (Bellevue Surg. Center), Maria Sixto (Airlift NW), Kara Yates (Medical)

Members of your WSNA negotiation team will be hosting chat time at Starbucks. Stop by, ask questions about negotiations, share your comments, concerns, etc.

WHERE - Starbucks at the Bellevue Surgery Center

WHEN – Monday, Aug 5 from 2 – 4:30 p.m.

Please contact Local Unit Chair Edna Cortez (ednapcortez722@gmail.com), one of your negotiation team members or WSNA Nurse Rep Sara Frey (sfrey@wsna.org), if you have questions or comments.

In solidarity,
your 2019 WSNA negotiation team - Edna Cortez (PACU), Lindsey Kirsch (ED), Diane Gates (PICU), Nancy Wilder (PACU), Ross Beaulaurier (Surgical RC5), Samantha Forte (Acute Care Float), Elizabeth Gideon (Rehab), Shaina Lawson (NICU), Sarah Munro (Bellevue Surg Center), Jennifer Pease (Bellevue Surg. Center), Maria Sixto (Airlift NW), Kara Yates (Medical)

We, your bargaining team, met with management on July 29, 2019 for our 6^th session of contract negotiations.

We continue to voice your concerns regarding Children’s paid leave and benefit package. Today we received a counterproposal to our benefits proposal from Children’s management. We were disappointed with the lack of movement from the hospital in our direction. Seattle Children’s continues to insist on:

• Making RNs contribute to their health insurance premiums
• An unacceptably low sick leave carryover (cap)
• Lower sick leave accruals
• Vacation time limitations that fail to recognize the contributions of experienced nurses
• A wage proposal that doesn’t recognize the hard work and dedication of our nurses.

Come see us! – Members of your WSNA negotiation team will be hosting cafeteria/Starbucks time. Stop by, ask questions about negotiations, share your comments concerns:

Today, July 30 at the River entrance Starbucks from 2:30– 6 pm.
Tomorrow, July 31 at the Ocean 7 Cafeteria from noon – 3 pm

Reminder – Do we have your current private (not work) email address? That is the fastest way to receive timely updates. Please contact our Nurse Rep to update this information if there has been a change or if we don’t have your email address. You can also view WSNA updates on the WSNA Children’s page. Remember, WSNA is your trusted resource for all questions related to negotiations and other contract matters.

Please contact Local Unit Chair Edna Cortez (ednapcortez722@gmail.com), one of your negotiation team members or WSNA Nurse Rep Sara Frey (sfrey@wsna.org), if you have questions or comments.

In solidarity, your 2019 WSNA negotiation team - Edna Cortez (PACU), Lindsey Kirsch (ED), Diane Gates (PICU), Nancy Wilder (PACU), Ross Beaulaurier (Surgical RC5), Samantha Forte (Acute Care Float), Elizabeth Gideon (Rehab), Shaina Lawson (NICU), Sarah Munro (Bellevue Surg Center), Jennifer Pease (Bellevue Surg. Center), Maria Sixto (Airlift NW), Kara Yates (Medical)

We, your bargaining team, met with management on July 17, 2019 for session number 5.

Paid leave and benefits package - we heard your numerous concerns regarding Children’s Paid Leave and Benefit package. We passed a counter proposal to management’s paid leave and benefit proposal with a number of provisions that are responsive to the concerns you all have raised including but not limited to:

• Increased caps on accrual banks
• Rejected cost sharing for insurance premiums
• Nurses be allowed to retain their currently accrued sick time until utilized
• Retention of current vacation banks for 2 years from the date of ratification to give nurses a reasonable opportunity to use it prior to a cash out
• Service recognition – 8 hours deposited to the holiday bank each year, every year, after 20 years of service
• Accrual of banks based on hours worked, not based on FTE
• WSNA’s proposal is tied to wages of 8% / 7% / 7% - Similar to management, we believe the acceptance of this package should be tied to higher wages.

We have numerous other proposals on the table and are waiting on responses from management:

Parking – Nurses expressed concerns about parking rates, access to parking and shuttle service. Our most recent proposal includes an agreement to not raise parking rates over the life of the contract.

Mileage and time – We have a proposal asking for those who are relocated to other facilities to be paid for both their time and travel. Nurses are often involuntarily relocated from their facility to other facilities miles away and on their own time. This causes some to lose pay when they cannot make it to the new location prior to the start of the shift. Nurses need to be compensated when they are incurring expenses and time on behalf of Children’s.

Shift differential – We have a proposal to add $.50 /hr for those staying on evening or night shift for 2 years and beyond. This is intended to encourage experienced nurses to stay on the off -shifts to support newer nurses.

Baylor nurses – WSNA has proposed that when Children’s changes a Baylor plan nurse’s schedule due to a holiday or training, they should be paid as if they worked their consecutive weekend shift and not incur a loss of wages.

Shift rotation – Shift rotation should be by mutual agreement only.

On-call/Standby compensation – Increase in On-call compensation from $4 to $4.25 and an extra $5/hr after 30 hours of call. Additionally, with worsening traffic and commute times, increase to a 2-hour window to report.

Unscheduled patient care provisions – to include Clinical Consulting Nurses who are currently omitted from this overtime provision.

Float premium – to capture a particular group of nurses who have been excluded from the float premium yet are acting as float nurses.

Transport team – to include Children’s employed Airlift NW nurses who are doing the same work as the transport team in the transport premium provision.

Communicable diseases – to pay nurses who are required by Childrens to stay home due to exposure of a communicable disease. Nurses should not have to use their vacation or sick time due to an exposure at work.

Staffing – We have proposed improvements to the current staffing language. Our proposal includes, but is not limited to, provisions that require Children’s to provide staffing levels to allow for meal and rest breaks, vacations, and to refrain from giving patient assignments to charge nurses so they are free to perform their charge nurse duties.

Violence in the workplace – We have proposed language regarding workplace violence. Nurses do not come to work expecting to be assaulted or placed in harm’s way by individuals who are threatening or carrying out violent acts. Our language seeks to enhanced security, involvement in the safety committee and a provision to provide pay when nurses are injured as a result of an act of workplace violence.

No-pay protection – We have proposed that the no-pay protection provision apply to all nurses. We have also updated the MOU to reflect the new mandatory overtime laws which go into effect on Jan 1, 2020 which place new restrictions on how pre-scheduled call can be utilized. The new law prohibits pre-scheduled call from being used to address regular changes in patient census or acuity, expected increases in the number of employees not reporting for predetermined scheduled shifts (ie. sick calls, vacation, leaves, etc.).

Got breaks? - Just a reminder that if you do not get an uninterrupted rest or meal period, you should clock out that you missed it. If your manager removes the clocking, please contact WSNA or one of your officers immediately. Even if the unit was well-staffed there are reasons why a nurse may not get his or her break and the hospital MUST pay for time worked.

Come see us!! – Members of your WSNA negotiation team will be hosting cafeteria/Starbucks time. Stop by, ask questions about negotiations, share your comments concerns:

• July 30 at the River entrance Starbucks from 2:30– 6 pm.
• July 31 at the Ocean 7 Cafeteria from noon – 3 pm

Reminder – Do we have your current private (not work) email address? That is the fastest way to receive timely updates. Please contact our Nurse Rep to update this information if there has been a change or if we don’t have your email address. Remember, WSNA is your resource for all questions related to negotiations and other contract matters.

Please contact Local Unit Chair Edna Cortez (ednapcortez722@gmail.com), one of your negotiation team members or WSNA Nurse Rep Sara Frey (sfrey@wsna.org), if you have questions or comments.

In solidarity, your 2019 WSNA negotiation team - Edna Cortez (PACU), Lindsey Kirsch (ED), Diane Gates (PICU), Nancy Wilder (PACU), Ross Beaulaurier (Surgical RC5), Samantha Forte (Acute Care Float), Elizabeth Gideon (Rehab), Shaina Lawson (NICU), Sarah Munro (Bellevue Surg Center), Jennifer Pease (Bellevue Surg. Center), Maria Sixto (Airlift NW), Kara Yates (Medical).

The team would like to thank all the nurses who showed up in force for our July 8 local unit meeting. We met with management for our 4^th negotiation session on July 11, 2019. We reached a number of tentative agreements including increasing charge nurse pay from $2.75 to $3.25 for regular charge nurses and from $2.00 to $2.25 for relief charge nurses, increasing preceptor pay from $1.50/hr to $3.00/hr, changing overtime language to reflect current law which restricts how overtime is assigned and Just Cause protection for per diems. We continued to discuss issues such as parking, being reassigned to various work sites and no-pay provisions as well as other topics. We did not discuss the benefits package or wages today.

We have heard loud and clear from many of you about significant concerns you have around many aspects of your employer’s paid leave, benefit and wage proposal. If you have comments about the benefits package, please feel free to email your Local Unit Chair, Edna Cortez and or your nurse rep, Sara Frey. Our next session is Wednesday, July 17, 2019.

People have asked for a copy of the tables that were presented at our July 8 meeting. We have posted those in the Contract & Documents section of this site.

Remember, WSNA is your resource for all questions related to negotiations and other contract matters. Please contact Local Unit Chair Edna Cortez (ednapcortez722@gmail.com), one of your negotiation team members or WSNA Nurse Rep Sara Frey (sfrey@wsna.org), if you have questions or comments.

In solidarity,
your 2019 WSNA negotiation team - Edna Cortez (PACU), Lindsey Kirsch (ED), Diane Gates (PICU), Nancy Wilder (PACU), Ross Beaulaurier (Surgical RC5), Samantha Forte (Acute Care Float), Elizabeth Gideon (Rehab), Shaina Lawson (NICU), Sarah Munro (Bellevue Surg Center), Jennifer Pease (Bellevue Surg. Center), Maria Sixto (Airlift NW), Kara Yates (Medical)

We, your negotiation team, met with management on June 27, 2019 for our third bargaining session. We received the remainder of management’s proposals. At the first session, after hearing from nurses that parking is both financially burdensome and time consuming, WSNA made a proposal related to parking. The Children’s parking expert attended the negotiation session. She presented information related to parking and we were able to ask questions.

Management also had their benefits experts in attendance. We extensively questioned management about their complicated benefits proposal to better understand the content. We, your negotiation team, are anxious to fill you in on what we have learned and next steps. Please join us for local unit meetings and negotiations update on July 8. Your team needs your input on important issues, especially the benefits package, to best represent you. Our next session is July 11, 2019.

Reminder – Do we have your current private (not work) email address? That is the fastest way to receive timely updates. Please contact your Nurse Rep to update this information if there has been a change or if we don’t have your email address. You can also view WSNA updates on this page. Remember, WSNA is your resource for all questions related to negotiations and other contract matters. Please contact Local Unit Chair Edna Cortez (ednapcortez722@gmail.com), one of your negotiation team members or WSNA Nurse Rep Sara Frey (sfrey@wsna.org), if you have questions or comments.

Meeting Details
DATE: JULY 8, 2019
TIME: 5 – 6:30 p.m. or 7 – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Laurelhurst Community Center
4554 NE 41st St., Seattle, WA 98105
(Located southeast behind the hospital and parking lot space is limited. You may have to park
on the street.)

In solidarity,
your 2019 WSNA negotiation team - Edna Cortez (PACU), Lindsey Kirsch (ED), Diane Gates (PICU), Nancy Wilder (PACU), Ross Beaulaurier (Surgical RC5), Samantha Forte (Acute Care Float), Elizabeth Gideon (Rehab), Shaina Lawson (NICU), Sarah Munro (Bellevue Surg Center), Jennifer Pease (Bellevue Surg. Center), Maria Sixto (Airlift NW), Kara Yates (Medical)

Please come join members of your negotiation team for an update on negotiations. Hear about both management’s and WSNA proposals including:

● Children’s benefit package proposal
● Wage increase proposal
● Staffing provisions
● Violence protection

You need to be in the know about proposals that impact your wages, hours and working conditions. Your team needs to hear from you as they evaluate management’s proposals. Come and bring your co-workers!

DATE: JULY 8, 2019
TIME: 5 – 6:30 p.m. or 7 – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Laurelhurst Community Center
4554 NE 41ST ST., SEATTLE, WA 98105
(Located southeast behind the hospital - parking lot space is limited and you may have to park on the street.)

Please contact Edna Cortez, Local unit chair ( ednapcortez722@gmail.com ), your local unit chairperson who is also one of your negotiation team members or your WSNA nurse rep, Sara Frey ( sfrey@wsna.org ), if you have questions or comments. Our next negotiation sessions is June 27, 2019.

In solidarity,
your 2019 WSNA negotiation team - Edna Cortez (PACU), Lindsey Kirsch (ED), Diane Gates (PICU), Nancy Wilder (PACU), Ross Beaulaurier (Surgical RC5), Samantha Forte (Acute Care Float), Elizabeth Gideon (Rehab), Shaina Lawson (NICU), Sarah Munro (Bellevue Surg Center), Jennifer Pease (Bellevue Surg. Center), Maria Sixto (Airlift NW), Kara Yates (Medical)

When: Friday, July 19 from noon-2:30 p.m.
Where: Bellevue Brewing Company, 1820 130th Ave N.E., Bellevue, 98005

This event is for you if:

1. You are a WSNA elected officer or grievance officer who has not yet had this training (officers will learn how to attend investigatory meetings).
2. You have already had grievance officer training and would like a refresher.
3. You have lots of experience with the grievance process and are willing to share your knowledge and experience with those new to the role.
4. You have an interest in advocating for your colleagues in investigations and would like to learn more.

Your colleagues need your advocacy and support!

RNs from multiple facilities will be attending and space is limited. You must preregister for this training.

Register today with WSNA Nurse Rep Sara Frey at sfrey@wsna.org. Include your name, contact info and where you work.

Please be on time as we have a lot to cover!

Questions? Contact Sara Frey at 206-575-7979, ext. 3039 or sfrey@wsna.org.

We, your 2019 negotiation team, met on Wednesday, June 5, with management for our second bargaining session. We were very disappointed to see the hospital has taken the route of communicating with nurses outside of the bargaining table. We encourage you all to remember that the mailings/emails from the employer reflect the hospitals interests and perspective on issues and proposals. Your WSNA negotiation team is fighting for your interests and is your representative at the table. If you have questions or concerns about your contract or negotiations, please reach out to a team member or WSNA.

As we discussed after the first session, the hospital has presented a comprehensive proposal on paid leave and benefits as well as a number of other proposals. You should expect to receive communication from the hospital related to its Time Away From Work proposal. Your team has a considerable number of concerns about the substance and consequences of this proposal which are much more complex than what is depicted in the anticipated mailer the hospital has stated it intends to send to all WSNA nurses. Once we, your bargaining team, have received more information, we plan to have more dialogue and communication with you so we can further discuss the proposal, answer questions and receive feedback from you all.

We meet with management again on June 27 to continue bargaining. Do we have your current private (not work) email address? That is the fastest way to receive timely updates. Please contact your Nurse Rep to update this information if there has been a change or if we don’t have your email address. You can also view WSNA updates on the WSNA Children’s page at https://www.wsna.org/union/seattle-childrens-hospital.

Remember, WSNA is your resource for all questions related to negotiations and other contract matters. Please contact Edna Cortez, Local unit chair (ednapcortez722@gmail.com), one of your negotiation team members or WSNA Nurse Rep. Sara Frey (sfrey@wsna.org) if you have questions or comments.

In solidarity,
Your 2019 WSNA negotiation team - Edna Cortez (PACU), Lindsey Kirsch (ED), Diane Gates (PICU), Nancy Wilder (PACU), Ross Beaulaurier (Surgical RC5), Samantha Forte (Acute Care Float), Elizabeth Gideon (Rehab), Shaina Lawson (NICU), Sarah Munro (Bellevue Surg Center), Jennifer Pease (Bellevue Surg. Center), Maria Sixto (Airlift NW), Kara Yates (Medical)

We, your WSNA negotiation team, met with management on May 29 for our first bargaining session. We passed our full proposal to management including our economic proposals. Management presented us with a benefits package proposal. We will be carefully reviewing this complex proposal as well as other proposals we will be receiving from the hospital during the next two sessions.

Our next bargaining dates are June 5 and June 27. Once we have the full proposal from the hospital, we will be able to provide you with more details. For the most timely updates, please be sure WSNA has your current email address. You may need to ensure that your email is set up so WSNA notices are not sent to your spam folder. You can also view WSNA updates on the WSNA Children’s page at https://www.wsna.org/union/seattle-childrens-hospital. Remember, WSNA is our resource for all questions related to negotiations and other contract matters.

Please contact Local Unit Chair Edna Cortez (ednapcortez722@gmail.com), one of your negotiation team members or WSNA Nurse Rep. Sara Frey (sfrey@wsna.org) if you have questions or comments.

In solidarity - your 2019 WSNA negotiation team:

Edna Cortez (PACU), Lindsey Kirsch (ED), Diane Gates (PICU), Nancy Wilder (PACU), Ross Beaulaurier (Surgical RC5), Samantha Forte (Acute Care Float), Elizabeth Gideon (Rehab), Shaina Lawson (NICU), Sarah Munro (Bellevue Surg Center), Jennifer Pease (Bellevue Surg. Center), Maria Sixto (Airlift NW), Kara Yates (Medical)

Children’s administration notified WSNA this week of the findings of a fungus in some of the operating rooms. It is our understanding the hospital has hired an industrial hygienist to assist with remediation of the fungus and some of the rooms will remain closed until the problem has been corrected. WSNA is closely monitoring the situation.

If you have concerns or believe you have been negatively impacted, please contact WSNA nurse rep. Sara Frey at 206-575-7979, ext. 3039 or sfrey@wsna.org.

Thank you to the many of you who have taken time to respond to the negotiation survey! We want to hear from ALL of you and time is limited to give your input. We have extended the deadline to March 17, 2019, so that everyone’s voice can be heard!

The current contract between WSNA and your local unit expires July 31, 2019. This survey is our first step in our preparation for contract negotiations and your input is critical to determining our priorities as we head to the bargaining table. It is vital that we know your issues and concerns prior to the start of the negotiations.

If you have not already done so, please take a moment to complete this survey now.

The power of representation comes from the willingness of registered nurses to unite – our strength is in unity! Remember for WSNA to be an effective, strong, influential voice for you at the negotiation table, we need your membership and involvement.

Please provide us with your current contact information. WSNA, your officers and your negotiating team members do not share this information with anyone. It is only collected so that we may contact you if we have questions and so we may share important information with you regarding current negotiations and issues.

Questions? Contact a local unit officer or WSNA Nurse Rep Sara Frey at sfrey@wsna.org or at 206.575.7979, ext. 3039.

Your Seattle Children's Local Unit leaders are sponsoring five nurses to attend the Washington State Nurses Convention, May 1-3, 2019 at the Tulalip Resort Casino.

Don’t miss amazing speakers, great professional development and a full year of CNEs!

We’ll cover your registration fee of $450 so that you can attend this fun and educational event. If you’re interested in this great opportunity, reach out to us today.

More information, including the full convention agenda, at rnconvention.org.

Please note:

• The Thursday evening banquet is included in the registration fee.
• The scholarship does not include the $150 optional Suicide Prevention training on Friday.

Please contact me, WSNA Local Unit Chair Edna Cortez, RN at jepcortez920@comcast.net or at (206) 387-6748 to reserve your spot.

The current contract between WSNA and your local unit expires July 31, 2019. This survey is our first step in our preparation for contract negotiations. Your input is critical in determining our priorities as we head to the bargaining table. It is vital that we know your issues and concerns prior to the start of the negotiations.

Take a moment to complete this survey now.

The power of representation comes from the willingness of registered nurses to unite – our strength is in unity! Remember, for WSNA to be an effective, strong, influential voice for us at the negotiation table, we need your membership and involvement.

Please provide us with your current contact information. WSNA, your officers and your negotiating team members do not share this information with anyone. It is only collected so that we may contact you if we have questions and to share important information with you regarding current negotiations and issues.

Please complete the survey no later than Feb. 22 so our team can start preparing. You will also be asked to indicate if you are interested in serving on the negotiation team. Officers will be reaching out to those individuals with further information.

Questions? Contact a local unit officer or WSNA Nurse Rep Sara Frey at sfrey@wsna.org or at 206.575.7979, ext. 3039.

Please welcome WSNA Nurse Representative Sara Frey, JD, BSN, RN. Beginning Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, Sara will be taking over all new issues as they arise at Seattle Children's Hospital. I will finish up most outstanding matters to their conclusion and assist Sara in the coming months as needed.

Sara can be reached at sfrey@wsna.org or 206-575-7979, ext. 3039.

It has been a pleasure working with all of the Seattle Children's RNs for the past three years. I am continuing my work here at WSNA in public affairs. I will miss the Seattle Children's nurses but know you will be in good hands with Sara.

All my best to you,

Travis Elmore, BSN, RN, RN-BC
WSNA Public Affairs Associate Director
206-575-7979, ext. 3117
telmore@wsna.org

Celebrate Nurses Week with a free WSNA dinner!

May 7 from 5 to 8 p.m.

On May 7, 2018, your WSNA leaders here at Children's Hospital are hosting a free dinner for the nurses at Seattle Children’s Hospital from 5-8 p.m. The dinner will once again be at Ray's Boat House at Shilshole and nearly 200 Children’s nurses are expected to attend this year! This will be a celebration for the nurses at Children’s as well as a time to answer other questions and hear your concerns. There will be door prizes, great food and more!

Ray’s Boat House is located at 6049 Seaview Ave NW Seattle, WA 98107

Space is limited so contact WSNA Co-Chair Edna Cortez at epcortez920@comcast.net or call 206-387-6748 if you wish to RSVP or help with the dinner!

Proposed Memorandum on Expanded Representation Rights

Last year, an Arbitrator ruled that Seattle Children’s improperly denied a nurse WSNA representation during a meeting at which management discussed accommodation of the nurse’s medical condition. The Arbitrator ruled that the right of nurses at Seattle Children’s Hospital to the assistance of a WSNA representative in meetings with management was not limited to investigatory meetings that could lead to disciplinary action. However, the Employer refused to comply with the Arbitrator’s ruling, and filed a lawsuit to nullify it – even though the collective bargaining agreement specifically states that the Arbitrator’s decision “shall be final and binding on all parties.”

WSNA has now succeeded in negotiating a proposed Memorandum of Understanding that will guarantee nurses at Seattle Children’s Hospital the right to request that a WSNA representative be present not only at investigatory meetings that could lead to disciplinary action, but also:

• Meetings scheduled for the purpose of discussing reasonable accommodations under the interactive process (such as discussions concerning reasonable accommodation of a nurse’s disability).
• Meetings scheduled for the purpose of delivering disciplinary action to the nurse.
• Meetings scheduled for the purpose of discussing changes to a nurse’s regular schedule.
• Any meeting a nurse is asked to attend with both a manager and a Human Resources representative, except (a) meetings with multiple nurses such as training, departmental, and educational meetings, and (b) witness investigation interviews in which the nurse’s own conduct is not at issue, the nurse is given assurance that she or he will not be disciplined as a result of the meeting, and the nurse is informed of the general subject matter of the meeting.
• If a nurse with at least one year of employment at Seattle Children’s Hospital receives a “nonperformer” or “developing performer” rating on an evaluation, the nurse may request a follow-up meeting with the manager to discuss the evaluation and may request the presence of a WSNA representative.

The proposed Memorandum of Understanding also provides that, as long as the need to meet is not urgent, the nurse will be allowed a reasonable amount of time (typically five business days) to arrange for union representation before continuing the discussion.

WSNA recommends a YES vote on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding, which will strengthen nurses’ rights to representation. When you get called into the manager’s office, you don’t have to face the boss alone!

If you any questions, feel free to contact Travis Elmore, WSNA Nurse Representative at 206-575-7979, ext. 3117 or telmore@wsna.org.

VOTE TO BE HELD ON MAY 2, 2018 FROM 1530-1930 IN MAIN Private OA.9.340

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In Solidarity, Edna Cortez, Chairperson - Auditing; Travis Elmore, WSNA Nurse Representative at 1 800 231-8482, ext. 3117 or telmore@wsna.org

We recommend a YES Vote!
You must be a member in good standing to vote.

That proposal has been ratified by nurses. Thanks to all of you for your support and engagement!

Together we win!

You are WSNA!