On March 5, we met with the County for our 19^th session (2^nd mediated session). Overall, the day was productive and resulted in two tentative agreements (TAs). Following intensive analysis, we engaged in meaningful work on the wage scale. Your team submitted economic proposals to the County that were geared towards:

• maximizing financial gains
• achieving our goal of transitioning to a wage scale that recognizes experience
• making financial improvements to the wage scale that had been proposed by the County at the Feb 24 session
• addressing deficiencies in the County’s proposed wage scale
• improving language related to the Bilingual Premium and additional steps for any nurse attaining a Master's and/or Doctoral Degree in Nursing while employed at King County

Tentative Agreements (TAs) reached

• Bilingual Pay Position Designation (highlights)
  
  The existing assignments will be reviewed annually to determine whether one (1) or more specific non-English language or American Sign Language (ASL) is desired or required for all positions.
  
  Bilingual Skills Desired Pay Premium. Eligible employees whose job duties include the “desired” use of one (1) or more specific non-English language or ASL will receive a $1.00 per hour premium on actual hours worked. 
  
  Bilingual Skills Required Pay Premium. Eligible employees whose job duties include the “required” use of one (1) or more specific non-English language or ASL will receive a $2.00 per hour premium on actual hours worked.
  
• Master’s/Doctoral Step recognition
  
  Any nurse attaining a Master's and/or Doctoral Degree in Nursing while employed at King County shall receive an increase of one (1) step per degree up to a maximum of two steps total, provided the nurse is not already at the top step of the wage scale. The increase will be effective the first full pay period after the date a copy of documentation of the degree is received by the County.

Action plan pivot due to progress

In the last two mediated bargaining sessions we have observed improved engagement from the County. This is significant in contrast to the previous year of negotiations. We’ve reached five TAs between the two WSNA bargaining units (Staff/Supervisors) on:

• Stronger Nondiscrimination language (Staff/Supervisors)
• Reduced Parking at Goat Hill (Staff/Supervisors)
• Master’s/Doctoral Step recognition (Staff/Supervisors)
• Bilingual Pay Position Designation (Staff/Supervisors)
• Non-retaliation for raising staffing concerns (Staff)

We will watch to see what the County does at our next bargaining sessions and plan focused actions based on your valuable feedback. As stated, the ball is in the County’s court.

SEATTLE KING COUNTY NURSES ARE WSNA!

Next Steps:

1. Join us on Monday March 9 and 16 at 6 pm for virtual Sip n’ Chats with your team:
   
   Microsoft Teams meeting 
   Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27366885341826?p=1GiBVD4ZiQABhdVmUK
   Meeting ID: 273 668 853 418 26 
   Passcode: ti7pf9du 
   Dial in by phone 
   +1 206-485-2614,,708549598# United States, Seattle
   (888) 313-0615,,708549598# United States (Toll-free)
   Find a local number
   Phone conference ID: 708 549 598#
   
2. Let your Bargaining Team know if you wish to be an Observer during negotiations. See their strenuous work first-hand at our next bargaining dates are March 17 and March 30.
3. Wear your WSNA T-shirt or any WSNA swag on March 17 and 30 in support of your team while they continue to work with the public employee relations commission (PERC) mediator. In fact, it is your right to don your WSNA shirt or union swag ANY day 😊
4. Follow the team on Instagram, like and share posts and videos to inform the public https://www.instagram.com/phskc_staffnurses/
5. The staff and supervisor reel following our session https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVhnZW3jYaE/
6. Read all WSNA communications to stay current with contract negotiations and workplace issues.
7. Contact a team member or Nurse Representative Tara Barnes tbarnes@wsna.org with questions. Link to our WSNA webpage with contact information https://www.wsna.org/union/seattle-king-county-health-dept-staff

In solidarity, your WSNA bargaining team:
Elena Schensted, Columbia City Clinic
Stephen Lee, Jail Health MRJC
Evie Devera, Downtown Clinic
Kiesha Garcia-Stubbs, Downtown Clinic
Carolyn Clark, Jail Health KCCF
Tami Nesler, Jail Health MRJC

Tara Barnes Nurse Representative tbarnes@wsna.org