Chair
Elena Schensted
Columbia PH Center
Social media
Contract
Latest update
Mediation Dates Cancelled
Posted Jan 30, 2026
The County’s actions this week defy reason or good faith, and yet are we surprised?
Our first 2 scheduled mediation sessions were canceled due to lack of preparation by the County. In conversations and outreach from the WSNA nurses, we can confirm that the patience and understanding are diminishing rapidly.
What is the hold up to meeting as we all agreed to in the crucial work of gaining a union contract? We hear the County saying they will do something…..and repeatedly they let the nurses down.
We know how incredibly frustrating it is that the County’s foot-dragging is preventing us from being able to reach a fair deal. We are hopeful, however, that working with a mediator will help keep negotiations on track, and help hold the County accountable. But first, we MUST meet to accomplish any progress.
As always, we remain committed to bargaining the best agreement we can on behalf of Seattle King County Public Health Nurses. That is where YOU come in!
Send a selfie pic with your family or your peers wearing your WSNA shirt or other swag to Nurse Representative Tara Barnes tbarnes@wsna.org or text to 206-713-2241.
We are contacting elected officials whose constituents receive public health services across all divisions: Jail Health, Community Health, Juvenile Detention, Prevention and Administrative services with an open letter to provide full knowledge of the County’s delay at the table affects the delivery of safety net services that WSNA nurses provide each and every day!
Join us for a virtual Sip n’ Chat
Monday 6-7pm on Microsoft Teams
Learn more about how EVERY nurse can take action in this fight for a fair contract!
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27366885341826?p=1GiBVD4ZiQABhdVmUK
Meeting ID: 273 668 853 418 26
Passcode: ti7pf9du
In solidarity, your bargaining 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
Follow us on Instagram where many videos and updates show this long journey https://www.instagram.com/phskc_staffnurses/
We encourage the nurses to review the many actions that have been taken in 2025 and past updates that are archived chronologically on your local unit webpage https://www.wsna.org/union/seattle-king-county-health-dept-staff
Previous updates
Hey King County, we are ready for mediation on Friday. Are you?
Jan 27, 2026
A huge win for WSNA nurses and nursing practice at Seattle King County!
Jan 23, 2026
Starting 2026 Off Strong
Jan 21, 2026
We called on the nurses…. you answered!
Dec 12, 2025
Newsflash: This is time-sensitive for our assessment survey closing this week!
Dec 02, 2025
Fork in the Road – WSNA Needs Your Input on Negotiations
Nov 18, 2025
Upcoming event
WSNA Union Leadership Conference
April 26-28, 2026
9.5 CNE contact hours
Join us for the 2026 WSNA Union Leadership Conference.
WSNA union news
Resources and tools
Document unsafe conditions
If you find yourself in a situation that you believe creates unsafe conditions for patients or for you, you should complete a Staffing Complaint / ADO Form as soon as possible.
By completing the form, you will help make the problem known to management, creating an opportunity for the problem to be addressed. Additionally, you will be documenting the facts, which may be helpful to you later if there is a negative outcome.
WSNA also uses your ADO forms to track the problems occurring in your facility. When you and your coworkers take the important step of filling out an ADO form, you are helping to identify whether there is a pattern of unsafe conditions for you or your patients at your facilities. This information is used by your conference committee, staffing committee, and WSNA labor staff to improve your working conditions.
Representation rights
As a union member, you have the right to have a representative present in any meetings with management that could potentially lead to disciplinary action against you.
If called into a meeting with management, read the following to management when the meeting begins:
If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, I respectfully request that my union representative be present at this meeting. Without representation present, I choose not to participate in this discussion.
Find out more about this crucial right and how to exercise it to ensure your fair treatment and protection.
Continuing education offerings
Enhance your professional competency with WSNA's free online courses.
Earn CNE contact hours through topics like Cultural Humility, Telehealth Assessment, Workplace Violence Prevention, and more. Convenient and self-paced, our courses provide practical knowledge for your daily work. Expand your skills and stay up-to-date with the latest nursing practices.