Spokane Regional Health District

Our contract is under attack. We had our sixth bargaining session on Dec. 12. We were shocked to receive a proposal at such a late stage in bargaining from management to reduce the wage scales for most new hires and to effectively remove the ability of many currently employed nurses to receive step increases (valued at 4.5%) in 2019 and possibly beyond.

Previously, management said the Health District was in a good financial position and that they were having a hard time recruiting employees. Now, they want to lower the wage scale because of a last-minute study they paid to have done. With these new lower wage scales, SRHD will have a much harder time recruiting and retaining nurses.

We do not know what math management is using, but to us: a good financial position plus recruitment and retention issues DO NOT equal lower wages!

It’s time to unite!

Jaclyn Perkins, BSN, RN
WSNA Nurse Representative
jperkins@wsna.org

Tuesday, Oct. 23, we, your negotiating team, met with management for day five of bargaining. We had some additional TAs (tentative agreements) this day, but still have work to do on wages and benefits. We believe we continue to make progress each time we meet.

Our next bargaining session is Nov. 14. We will continue to do our best to keep you up to date and informed.

Questions? Contact a WSNA negotiating team member: Amy Cross, RN, Melissa Charbonneau, RN and/or Deb Taylor, RN.

In solidarity,

Jaclyn Perkins, BSN, RN
WSNA Nurse Representative
1(800)231-8482, ext. 3118
jperkins@wsna.org

Many discussions were had around policies, safety with transportation of methadone to the jail, and many more. Some additional TAs (Tentative Agreements) were reached this day. We believe the progress was very positive.

Our next day to bargain is Oct. 23. We will continue to keep you up to date as the joint discussions continue.

Questions? Contact a negotiating team member: Amy Cross, Melissa Charbonneau, Deb Taylor or WSNA Nurse Representative Jaclyn Perkins BSN, RN at jperkins@wsna.org.

Some small Tentative Agreements (TAs) have been reached. Great discussions occurred this day around new hire orientation, and safety in transporting methadone to the jail. We expect to see and discuss wages and benefits during our next negotiation session. Stay tuned for updates.

Our next day to bargain is Oct. 3, 2018.

Your negotiating team: Debora Taylor, Amy Cross, Melissa Charbonneau

In this issue:

1. Officer of the Quarter
2. Spokane Leadership Summit
3. Did you know by being a WSNA represented nurse in Spokane you are a member of the Spokane Alliance?
4. Negotiation updates
5. We are on Facebook! Upcoming events

“My name is Stevie Lynne Krone. I am a Registered Nurse at Sacred Heart Medical Center and the current WSNA Co-Chair representing the nurses in the SHMC/WSNA bargaining unit. I have been a member of WSNA for over five years and have been an energetic participant in my local unit activities including pickets, walks and petitions. I am now serving my first term in office as we head into contract negotiations for 2018, utilizing both voice and action from my experience working alongside a powerful and strong brigade of nurses. I have practiced on nearly all the units of my hospital as a Float Pool nurse and now I can dedicate more time in supporting my occupational brothers and sisters as a supplemental on the Cardiac Medical Unit.

I have also utilized my skills as a music artist to benefit and promote a sense of unity, especially with the release of my song “We Are the People.”

It is my passion to serve my community with wholesome medical care as well as focus my allegiance to protect and promote the safety of the nurses that serve beside me.”

If you are a local unit rep or a local unit officer, please contact jperkins@wsna.org to be featured in the next regional newsletter. We are constantly looking for leaders to feature!

Thanks to those of you who attended the Spokane Leadership Summit on April 14, 2018, at the Red Lion. Not only was it a great opportunity to network with fellow nurses in your area, all nurses walked away with 6 CNEs. Nurses from Sacred Heart, Holy Family, Spokane Veterans Home, Spokane Regional Health District and St. Luke’s Rehab were all there. Topics that were covered: Janus vs AFSME, workplace violence and the new Staffing Law.

Thank you for your participation!

In case you missed it, there are more Summits to come! Go to www.wsna.org/union/leadership to find out more. Registration incentives are being offered by the WSNA cabinet including a $50 reimbursement credit for one night’s stay. The next Summit is at Campbell’s Resort on Lake Chelan on Sept. 30-Oct. 1. Registration is open now

Spokane Alliance is a group of nonpartisan, proactive, everyday citizens dedicated to making Spokane a better place for all to live and thrive. You’ll find them working for change in churches and classrooms, in living rooms and union halls, in City Hall and in Olympia.

For more than 10 years, Spokane Alliance has worked to improve public transportation, increase job opportunities and green building requirements among other issues. They are a non-profit supported by the dues of our member organizations, individuals and foundations. The Alliance is affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation, a coalition of like-minded organizations in cities across the United States, the UK, Germany, Canada and Australia.

At Spokane Alliance, they believe that by working together we have the power to change our communities for the better. And they do more than just sign petitions and protest; together, they take action. If you’re interested in helping with the Spokane Alliance as a WSNA nurse, please contact jperkins@wsna.org. WSNA is actively partnering to create opportunities to help improve the community through access to medical care for patients. Visit iafnw.org/spokanealliance to find out more about what is currently being worked on. We can direct you on how you can help!

Lots of work is being done by your WSNA staff and officers in the region. Get the bigger scoop:

• St. Luke’s Rehab – 7 sessions complete. Lots of issues still on the table and we are disappointed at the amount of progress. There are still a lot of items to work through including wages, benefits, staffing, rest breaks and layoff language. Next day to bargain is Sept. 7. The negotiating team of nurses is: Fran Castillo (CVA), Linda Spurgeon (CVA) and Jonelle Polley (Infection Control RN).
• Spokane Regional Health District – currently gathering a team of nurses and prepping the contract. Surveys are complete. First day of negotiations is Sept. 6. Negotiating team of nurses is: Jan Yoder, RN, Melissa Charbonneau, RN, Amy Cross, RN and Deborah Taylor, RN.
• Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center – preparations and bargaining will begin fall of 2018. The negotiating team members are: Stevie Lynn Krone (9N), KT Raley-Jones (CICU), Clint Wallace (ICU), LaDonna Reel (MB), Nonie Kingma (AGPU), Debbie Cameron (5S), Linda Clanton (IV Therapy), David Emerson (7N), Darryl Johnson (Cath Lab), Lee Ayres (PACU), Abigail Berry (OR), Vicki Benson (Radiology) and Inga Matheson (CICU).
• Providence Holy Family Hospital – recent grievance settlement for vacation/sick accrual for FT 12-hour nurses.
• Pullman Regional Health District – organizing local unit reps for each unit.
• Providence Visiting Nurses Association – a Tentative Agreement has been reached. Vote is upcoming.

Some of the WSNA local units in Spokane have Facebook pages which are kept up to date on happenings in labor, or within the local unit. Please take the time to “like” them and check them out! This is a great way to show solidarity for your labor brothers and sisters within your region.

WSNA Coug Football Night – save the date!

The Washington State University Cougars take on the Eastern Washington University Eagles on Sept. 15! WSNA nurses will receive a discounted rate on tickets, don’t miss out.

2019 Washington State Nurses Convention

Come join us on May 1-3, 2019 for Washington’s only statewide convention dedicated to nurses and the issues we face. We are focused on transforming health care through the power of nursing.

On July 9, your negotiating team met and formulated an issue list that will be given to the WSNA attorney in preparations for upcoming negotiations.

Initial dates to bargain: Aug. 27, Sept. 6, Sept. 10, Sept. 18 and Sept. 24.

If we are not done within this time frame, we will keep bargaining.

At this time, your team needs your help.

Only 37 hours of donated leave are in the Negotiation Shared Leave Account to help pay for any additional team members time at the table. This donated leave covers the hourly wage spent during bargaining only. No prep time prior is included. This is not enough hours to carry them through.

The team would appreciate your generosity in donating more shared leave. The “WSNA Negotiation Shared Leave Account” forms are located in the Human Resources office. Please take the time to fill it out. Per the contact, any comp time, accrued vacation time or Personal Holiday can be donated.

Questions? Call me, your nurse rep/organizer, Jaclyn Perkins, BSN, RN, at 1-800-231-8482, ext. 3118. Or you may reach out to one of the negotiating team members: Melissa Charbonneau, Jan Yoder, Deb Taylor and/or Amy Cross.

Survey is now online!

Your current WSNA contract between you, the WSNA bargaining unit, and the Spokane Regional Health District expires September 30, 2018. This survey is the first step in preparation for contract negotiations. Your input is critical to determining the priorities as your WSNA negotiation team of nurse’s heads to the bargaining table. It is vital all bargaining unit members’ issues and concerns are communicated prior to the start of the negotiations.

Please have the survey completed by May 11.

There is no strength without unity. We are one!

Questions? Call your nurse rep/organizer, Jaclyn Perkins, BSN, RN, at 1 (800) 231-8482, ext. 3118.

• March 27 from 2 to 3 p.m. in room 311
• March 28 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in room 311

It's time to touch base with the members and discuss upcoming negotiations this fall!