On October 14, WSNA and Seattle King County met for the third day of negotiations. The County identified all the areas of the contract they are interested in addressing. At this stage, they did not provide substantive proposals for each of those sections, but instead flagged the issues they would like to discuss, and described some of the challenges they see. The objective is to collaborate, where possible, on solutions going forward.

WSNA brought up our initial priorities, outside of economics: meals at the Children Family & Justice Center (CFJC), new employee orientation, telecommuting, and parking. We also clarified that nurses participating in bargaining do so on paid time. The County agreed to an hours bank.

Both sides recognize the critical staffing shortages the County is facing, and are eager to start bargaining about economic improvements. We will be back at the table on October 27.

Your bargaining team,
Tyler Breier, Chair, Child Care Program
Tami Nesler, Grievance officer, MRJC
Carolyn Clark, Grievance officer, KCCF
Elena Schensted, PHN with First Steps

For questions, please contact WSNA Nurse Representative Michelle Moore at MMoore@wsna.org or reach out to your local unit officers.