We met for a mediation work session on March 30. Bargaining is still stalled because the County has still not provided a wage scale response. This degree of unprofessionalism and disrespect is on a different level. WSNA staff have never experienced the amount of delays and last-minute cancellations before in bargaining. Last update, we were sassy. This week, we are angry.

First, here is an update on the meeting with Megan Pedersen, Chief People Officer with the office of the County Executive Zahilay:

• The 45- meeting was attended by both supervisor and staff union officers and WSNA Nurse Reps, Director of Government Relations, and Director of Labor. WSNA shared our experiences in this bargaining cycle with the intention to gain increased accountability from the County. The Executive is the collective bargaining agent for the County; therefore, we clearly asked how they will support their designated negotiators to move forward with bargaining, specifically with regard to our outstanding priority proposals. Here are some key impressions from the Executive Office Representative (EOR):
  • They reported that they have not been in communication with the County’s lead labor negotiator for months.
    • We were taken aback by this. This felt very unprofessional and disrespectful, especially considering we are approaching month 15 of bargaining.
  • They referenced the recent transition to the new executive and his focus on tightening the County’s budget, operational efficiency, and accountability.
    • Executive Zahilay has publicly shared four policy goals that align closely with our values as public health staff nurses. We are excited for this executive’s pro-labor stance and look forward to this as a bargaining unit, integral to the foundation of the department of public health.
  • They shared that the County would be more willing to discuss an expanded scale in compensation in exchange for changes to current working conditions, potentially hinting at an increase in managerial authority.
    • We were appalled to hear this. It is deeply troubling to hear this tone in response to our proposals for fair compensation that both retains AND recruits nurses who are committed to the mission of public health.
  • The EOR made a verbal commitment to following up by March 25 last week regarding our specific ask to support us and the County’s labor negotiator to move forward on these priority proposals. Though, the stated deadline has passed, and we haven’t heard any updates. We are reconnecting with the office of the executive and will provide updates as we receive it.

Here are some things your team has been brainstorming to increase the pressure for the County to come to agreement we can recommend to the nurses for a vote:

• March on the Boss: Meeting the executive directly to confirm whether his priorities align with the messaging his Executive Office Representatives are communicating to us.
• Op-Ed: The County doesn’t like being compared to the current federal administration; however, we can’t help but be reminded of nurses no longer being viewed as a profession when they made their decision to sunset the CNO position. We are creating an op-ed making this comparison publicly.
• Unfair Labor Practice (ULP): We are discussing filing a ULP for the County consistently delaying bargaining by not doing the work to provide us with proposals to move forward.

How to stay engaged with your union:

• Real Talk: Click the button at the bottom of this email that says “Real Talk” to submit an anonymous question, concern, suggestion, or just whatever is on your mind that you want to share with your officer team. Please share your ideas and desires for Nurses Week! See the bottom of this email for Real Talk submissions since the last update.
• Represent:  Wear your WSNA T-shirt or any WSNA swag in support of your team while they continue to work with the public employee relations commission (PERC) mediator.
• Be in the know: Follow the team on Instagram, like and share posts and videos to inform the public https://www.instagram.com/phskc_staffnurses/. Read all WSNA communications to stay current with contract negotiations and workplace issues.

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