Day #3 of bargaining is complete. We stressed to Management the need to increase wages significantly to retain and recruit nurses. We have proposed a wage increase of 9.5% in the first year, 4% in the second, and 4% in the third. We also stressed the need for wage parity between PHN2/PHN3 nurses and CN1/CN2 nurses.

We have heard from you that training and orientation is seriously lacking and that newly hired nurses are not given enough support which leads to early burnout and lack of retention. We proposed a stronger commitment to training and the use of preceptors. The responses from management make us feel that our concerns are falling on deaf ears.

It’s time for SRHD management to hear us!

We have much more work to do, and it is time to increase the pressure. Soon, you will be presented with a letter of support for the bargaining team which we will ask you to sign. This letter will indicate to management we are unified and demand respect. Look for the letter to be presented to you, by a bargaining team member. We have one more day scheduled for negotiations at this time, and we must show management it is time to take the nurses of SRHD seriously.

Next day to bargain is Nov. 15. You are strong WSNA nurses! We will continue to fight for your rights at the bargaining table.

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Jaclyn Smedley at jsmedley@wsna.org.