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)