As we gather to celebrate the Fourth of July, we honor the rights and freedoms won through generations of struggle and sacrifice. Just as our nation fought for independence, workers have fought, often at great personal cost, for the rights we hold as union members today. From the Ludlow Massacre to Blair Mountain and beyond, labor leaders have stood up to injustice and laid the foundation for the protections we enjoy.

This Independence Day, let’s honor that legacy by remembering that our rights as union nurses must be protected, practiced, and passed on.

You have the RIGHT to:

• Union representation during any meeting that may lead to discipline. You must ask for it every time.
• Engage in protected concerted activity, including speaking up about workplace conditions or organizing for change.
• Work in a safe and healthy environment.
• Contest violations of the contract or labor law without fear of retaliation.

Together, we continue the fight for a better St. Joe’s. For our patients, our community, and each other.

Two St. Joe’s Nurses Elected to the WSNA Labor Executive Council

We’re proud to announce that Amber Pouley and Rachel Aalto, both emergency department nurses, have been elected to the WSNA Labor Executive Council (LEC).

The LEC sets the course for WSNA’s labor priorities, including contract enforcement, bargaining strategies, and economic and general welfare initiatives. Amber and Rachel’s election gives St. Joe’s nurses a powerful voice at the highest level of WSNA’s decision-making. Join us in congratulating them on this well-earned leadership role.

Hospital Staffing Committee Update

On July 2, the Hospital Staffing Committee (HSC) met to review the semi-annual staffing plans, but the process was flawed from the start.

• The plans were submitted late, violating the state’s July 1 deadline.
• They were not provided to the committee until June 27, in direct violation of the charter requiring one week’s notice.
• Some of the plans were incorrect and had to be resubmitted.

Because nurses did not have time to review the plans, WSNA members declined to form a quorum, preventing any vote from moving forward. This ensures the existing staffing plans stay in place and cannot be replaced with something worse.

Management now plans to vote on July 8 during an ADO meeting, again without proper notice. We object to this process and will continue to advocate for transparency and due process.

Questions? Contact HSC co-chair Robin Cully or Nurse Rep Jared Richardson at JRichardson@WSNA.org.

Insurance Forum Set for July 23

Thanks to our new contract, the first Insurance Forum is scheduled for July 23. Board member Kristin Malmo will lead the meeting and has been hard at work preparing, gathering input from nurses and identifying key concerns.

We will share a full update after the forum. Stay tuned.

If you have insurance stories you would like to share please send them to Kristin at kristin.m.malmo@gmail.com.