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Public Health – Seattle & King County (staff nurses)

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Starting 2026 Off Strong

Your WSNA team is headed back to the bargaining table!

If we had to summarize last year in a word, it would have to be ‘Solidarity’. This bargaining unit remained activated, engaged and maximized your collective power.

2025 Recap at a Glance 

  • Contract Bargaining – We have maintained momentum at the bargaining table with the County for a year fighting for critical bargaining priorities.
  • CHSS Arbitration Win - On May 30, 2025, the CHSS arbitration hearing was held and later decided in favor of the Union. This was a huge win!
  • The County filed a motion to vacate the CHSS arbitration award. WSNA has requested to have the County’s case dismissed. Oral arguments will take place January 22nd at 1:30 pm (tomorrow), we invite you to join the virtual hearing and observe. 

    Join Zoom Meeting
    https://kingcounty.zoom.us/j/81985946134
    Meeting ID: 819 8594 6134
    Passcode: 160118
    One tap mobile
    +12532050468,,81985946134#,,,,*160118# US
  • Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) – WSNA filed a ULP against the County for bad faith bargaining, refusal to provide information and regressive bargaining. The Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) delivered a preliminary finding that the ULP allegations have merit. We will continue to pursue this ULP.
  • Rally – On September 27, 2025, we had a successful rally in front of the King County Chinook Building to show solidarity and raise community awareness.
  • WSNA Public Health Nurses are union strong!  These WSNA T-shirts were distributed and worn to show solidarity.
  • Sip n’ chats in December: staff nurses participated to stay engaged on the progress of contract negotiations in light of expiration of the current contract on December 31, 2025.
  • Community Awareness – we passed out flyers, circulated a public support petition directed to King County leadership, attended King County Council and Board of Health meetings and met with elected officials.
  • Media Presence – The Public Health Nurses were featured in The Washington Nurse Magazine, The Stranger and on local television. We utilized the media to advocate for Public Health Nursing.
  • And more….

Upcoming Mediation Sessions

We are back at the bargaining table with a PERC Mediator on:

January 26 – The King County Chinook Building 401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 (8 am – 5 pm/Room 1316)

January 30 – The King County Chinook Building 401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 (8 am – 5 pm/Room 1312)

Now, what can the staff nurses do to support the team?

Please reach out if you wish to observe negotiations for part of or the whole day to a team member or WSNA Nurse Rep tbarnes@wsna.org and wear your WSNA Blue in solidarity on Monday the 26th and Friday the 30th.


https://perc.wa.gov/mediation/

Nurses are encouraged to watch the 4-minute video to describe mediation services provided by PERC

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your Local Unit Officers or WSNA Nurse Representative, Tara Barnes tbarnes@wsna.org

In unity,

Your WSNA team:

Elena Schensted Chairperson 
Stephen Lee Vice Chairperson 
Evie Devera Secretary/Treasurer 
Kiesha Garcia-Stubbs Grievance officer 
Tami Nesler Grievance officer 
Carolyn Clark Grievance officer

Tara Barnes Nurse Representative tbarnes@wsna.org