The day began with the employer stating, “I don’t want to sound like I’m being disrespectful…” and then was disrespectful. They proposed another wage scale that was substantially less than all other nurses in the SJMC bargaining unit. Followed by claiming the Lactation Nurses do not deserve the same pay as all the rest of us because of the type of work they do.

These nurses are expert registered nurses in Women’s Healthcare that have specialized and attained certifications. They have gone above and beyond yet the employer is claiming this type of nursing is not as worthy as any other type of nursing in the entire bargaining unit.

Women’s Health is worthy, and these nurses are worthy. They deserve the provisions we and all the nurses that came before us fought so hard to achieve, which includes equal wages.

Our strength comes from standing together and supporting each other. The Lactation Nurses need our support. Let’s start with wearing stickers that show we are with them.

If you need a sticker reach out to any of the Local Unit Officers listed below.

In solidarity, WSNA/SJMC Local Unit Officers: Jo Anne Slaybaugh, Crystal Jarvis, Brianna Payne, Matthew McGuire, Emily D’Anna, Sally Budack, Shelly Mead, Yunna Flenord, Teresa Kindell, Carina Price, Rachel Wachter, Shannon Suchland

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Repre­sen­ta­tive Barbara Friesen at bfriesen@wsna.org 206-575-7979 ext. 3056.