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Public Health – Seattle & King County (supervisors)

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Vice Chair

Christopher Salatka

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Secretary/Treasurer

Anne Roberts

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Grievance Officer

Zerai Asgedom

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Staffing Complaint (ADO) form
Latest update

CHSS Arbitration Decision – WE WON!

This is a HUGE victory for public health nurses and union rights.

CHSS Arbitration Decision Summary:

  • Complete Victory - The grievance filed by the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) is SUSTAINED. The Arbitrator ruled that King County violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
  • Union Recognition Upheld - The County violated Article 3.1, the recognition clause, by creating "Community Health Services Supervisor" (CHSS) positions to replace "Personal Health Services Supervisor" (PHSS) positions. The Arbitrator affirmed that the Union's bargaining unit is protected from this kind of dilution.
  • Stop the Replacement - The County is ordered to Cease and Desist from creating any further CHSS positions that replace PHSS positions.
  • License Requirement Protected - The Arbitrator found the new CHSS positions were "almost identical" to the PHSS positions, with the only significant difference being the removal of the requirement for a nursing license. This was a direct attack on the specialized skills and qualifications of the bargaining unit.
  • Bargaining Unit Integrity Defended - The decision prevents the erosion of the Union's power. Creating non-licensed versions of Union jobs "deprives the bargaining unit of members and dilutes the bargaining power of the Union."
  • Nurse Supervision Matters - The Union successfully argued the critical importance of having licensed nurses in supervisory roles to provide guidance and evaluation on nursing practice, which a non-nurse is not qualified to do.
  • Positions to be Returned to the Bargaining Unit - The County has been given 120 days to ensure the incumbents in the wrongly created CHSS positions are replaced by employees who hold a nursing license, restoring these jobs to the Union.
  • Collective Power Works - This decision is a powerful reminder that a strong Union contract, backed by a willingness to fight through grievances, is essential to protecting members' jobs and professional standards against management overreach.
  • Link to decision

This decision is a final and binding affirmation of your rights and the value of your nursing expertise!

YOU ARE WSNA! Thank each and every one of you for standing up!

Proudly,

WSNA Nurse Rep Linda Burbank (lburbank@wsna.org)

Previous updates

WSNA union news

Seattle Children’s case managers ratify vote to join the WSNA union

The vote, ratified July 22, marks the first time these specialized teams have come together under a union.

August 15, 2025

Nurses at UW Medical Center – Northwest warn of staffing crisis

Press release

‘We care deeply about our work, but this isn’t a therapeutic environment. It’s demoralizing…’ says nurse working at Center for Behavioral Health and Learning.

July 31, 2025

Unemployment benefits for striking workers passed into law – what we know so far

New Washington law will allow striking or locked-out workers to collect up to six weeks of unemployment benefits starting Jan. 2026.

July 10, 2025

UW Medicine nurses to speak at Board of Regents Meeting July 9

Press release

The key issues are workplace violence, flexible scheduling, staffing incentives, and below-market wages.

July 7, 2025

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Visit cne.wsna.org