Chair
Elena Schensted
Columbia PH Center
Social media
Contract
Latest update
Bargaining Update
Posted Oct 24, 2025
After two long months apart, we met with the County for our 16th session:
Here’s who was at the table today on the county's side:
- Robin Laurence, Interim CNO
- Erin Larson, CHS Area Manager
- James Crowe, Office of Labor Relations
- Jake Ketchum, CHS Area Manager
- Martha Castro, CHS Division Deputy Director
- David Clayborne, HR Representative for Labor and Relation
Absent from the table, but usually present:
- Rebecca Cole, Continuous Improvement Specialist JHS
Here’s who was at the table today on the WSNA Staff/Supervisor’s side:
- Evie Devera, Secretary/Treasurer - Staff WSNA
- Carolyn Clark, JHS Grievance - Staff WSNA
- Christopher Salataka, Vice Chair - Supervisor WSNA
- Annie Roberts, Secretary/Treasurer - Supervisor WSNA
- Linda Burbank, WSNA Supervisor Representative
- Danielle Franco-Malone, WSNA Counsel
- Tara Barnes, WSNA Staff Representative
Absent from today, but usually present:
- Elena Schenstead, Chair - Staff WSNA
- Kiesha Garcia-Stubbs, Grievance Officer - Staff WSNA
- Stephen Lee, Vice Chair - Staff WSNA
Observers
- Edna Padilla Cortez, Chairperson Labor Executive Council for WSNA
What happened
The County shared that they started modeling what a 25-step wage scale could look like. They started working on modeling this week, despite us asking for this when bargaining started in February.
- Evie: “I’m hoping that the County finally is actually generating models for what a 25-step wage scale could look like…this would an opening for us to finally move forward in our longevity conversations.”
- Carolyn: “We feel like this banter back and forth has gone on far too long and the time for action is way past. I am bringing the frustration and anger from our staff and supervisor units loudly and proudly into the room.”
- Tami: “We are feeling so frustrated with the stagnation of movement on our priority issues. We know that the county has delayed answering our RFI (requests for information). We see this as an intentional tactic of bad faith bargaining.”
What's Next
We know most King County nurses are as frustrated as we are! We must increase our collective actions and continue to stand together to keep the momentum going:
- Join our unity delegation as we deliver our petitions and address the full council about our fight for a fair contract on Tuesday October 28th. We assemble at 115pm for a start at 130pm sharp. Wear your WSNA T-shirt, we will have extra 🙂. The Council is responsible for passing the budget, including the market-rate wages and longevity premiums we are fighting for.
- We are in the process of scheduling a meeting with the County Executive to drive home our message. Stay tuned!
- Send us your pics with your WSNA t-shirt as a selfie or with groups to tbarnes@wsna.org
While our contract expires December 31, we’re not done – let’s keep up the fight!
Your bargaining team,
Tami Nesler MRJC
Evie Devera Downtown Clinic
Carolyn Clark KCCF
Tara Barnes Nurse Representative tbarnes@wsna.org
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/phskc_staffnurses/
Previous updates
We had a great rally, what is next in our fight for a fair contract?
Oct 20, 2025
A Rally to Remember and Next Steps!
Sep 29, 2025
All hands on deck as we count down with just 5 days until our rally on September 27
Sep 22, 2025
The countdown starts today!
Sep 12, 2025
The stakes could not be higher!
Aug 29, 2025
Join your WSNA Negotiation Team for a virtual Sip n’ Chat
Aug 22, 2025
Upcoming event
2026 WSNA Union Leadership Conference
April 26-28, 2026
Save the date 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.