As described in the June 15 update, the staff nurses’ contract was presented to the King County Council at a special session on Tuesday July 11 where it was passed with unanimous support. Per the County ratification process, it was signed by the County Executive on July 20. On July 30, it becomes ordinance. At that time, the contract is in effect and wage increases will begin to be implemented. The general wage increase for 2023 of 4% will be retroactive to Jan. 1. All other economics will be implemented as of July 30 in the first full pay period.

We have become aware that the reduced parking rate of $7 per day for day shift at KCCF has begun.  Please let the nurse rep (tbarnes@wsna.org) know if you encounter any barriers to accessing this new benefit.

The staff nurses must launch into conversation and action to preserve the integrity of nursing practice, preserve programs, client/patient services, and nursing positions at Seattle King County: 

1. It has been communicated by the County that while your CNO position is going to be eliminated, which brings serious concerns, there is work in progress to provide the appropriate leadership and oversight of nursing practice amongst nurse leaders. Licensed nurses are required to have practice oversight from a licensed nurse or an ARNP. Only an RN/ARNP may evaluate/direct/guide clinical practice for nurses. We must stand together to preserve nursing leadership at the County, as there are serious implications for any licensed nurse working here.
2. In August, we will hold virtual Sip n’ Chat sessions where staff nurses from across all divisions can come together to have conversation with your officers and peers to gain strength and exchange ideas and hear about the plan to win through unified action.
3. In addition, we’ll continue to have conversations with the staff nurses at various work sites. We are booking dates and locations with the site reps and will keep you posted on your individual worksites. We look forward to talking with you and sharing swag and drawing prizes!
4. To maintain unified strength, becoming and remaining a WSNA member remains a priority, showing that staff nurses are invested in their collective power. Go here to submit your online application for WSNA union membership https://www.wsna.org/membership/application  Select the online application for union. You are not a member until you join.
5. Until we know specifics about any reductions in work force, please look at Article 29 in your contract. Contact your Nurse Rep with questions or bring your questions to one of the virtual or in-person options in August. It was communicated to us and all the nurses that any intended reductions will not occur until early 2024. Stay tuned for details and follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/phskc_staffnurses/
6. JHS/DAJD Safety Committee elections in July! The established Safety Committee is comprised of union members and others across different service lines working within DAJD and the employer, a forum where safety concerns are discussed in a centralized manner for review and/or action for this division. There is a spot for one WSNA member and one alternate. It is held virtually every month, recently on July 18^th. Thank you to the WSNA nurses who have stepped up to fulfill participation in this committee, currently 2 staff nurses and 1 nurse supervisor per the charter. Issue boxes are posted at each DAJD site, labelled Safety Committee.
7. Do you have a safety concern, due to staffing or otherwise? Use the online ADO/staffing complaint form to quickly and easily submit this legally discoverable form every shift it is necessary. It is then shared with the office of labor relations (OLR) to address within the appropriate forum to tracking and problem-solving. Use the tools to bring the affected nurses voice into the process improvement across the County, https://www.wsna.org/union/ado

In solidarity,
Your WSNA Officers Tyler, Elena, Carolyn, and Tami
Tara Barnes, WSNA Nurse Rep, tbarnes@wsna.org