Content:

• Juneteenth
• New Local Unit Officers
• Nurse of the Year
• WSNA Leadership Conference
• Pedestrian Safety Improvements
• WSNA Local Unit Website

Juneteenth

By Emily D’Anna and Brandon Hardaway

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. It is both a federal holiday and a state holiday in Washington.

In describing the difficulties with celebrating the Fourth of July, Frederick Douglass said “What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? …What to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.”

During the last round of negotiations that wrapped up in December, our bargaining team fought hard for Juneteenth to be recognized as a holiday at SJMC. The team believed that this was an important step forward in the fight for racial justice for staff as well as patients at SJMC. Despite winning the Racial Justice Task Force to help combat inequities at SJMC, the inability to get Juneteenth as a paid holiday was a bitter loss for our team to take.

One of our bargaining team members, Brandon Hardaway, made the following appeal,

“It is not very often that organizations such as ours have the opportunity to do the right thing. This is one such opportunity that Common Spirit has to demonstrate its commitment to the community that St. Joseph Medical Center (in the heart of Hilltop) serves.

The opportunity that I reference is for the organization to include the statewide, and federal, holiday of Juneteenth as a paid holiday. This proposal was initially denied most likely because of budgetary constraints. This opportunity to recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday is much more than part of a remuneration package. Our organization stands at a crucial moment in its history to send a clear and resounding message to our diverse pool of employees that we acknowledge your dedication and perseverance to serving our community.

With the passing of George Floyd in Minnesota, Manuel Ellis in Tacoma, and our own internal incidents of racial discrimination, we have a monumental opportunity to stand with this organization’s diverse workforce in recognition of their commitment to Common Spirit. More importantly to take a stand for the unity and healing of the community we serve, including those of us who render the service. Being silent and not showing support, will only divide us ethnically. Let us rise to the occasion and take the lead with this opportunity to put meaningful action to the slogan ‘Hello Humankindness’.”

Gift Card Drawing!

To celebrate Juneteenth with our entire bargaining unit, our local unit officers decided to give away gift cards for local Black-owned businesses. All the WSNA St Joes members were in the drawing. The winners were selected by using a random number generator and the number associated with the nurse on the WSNA roster. Some of the Black-owned local food and beverage businesses are:

Bob’s Bar-B-Q Pit in the Hilltop

Ezell’s Famous Chicken in the Hilltop

Quickie Too in the Hilltop

The Fish House Cafe in the Hilltop

Campfire Coffee Co. in downtown Tacoma

Essence Lounge Tacoma in Tacoma’s Sixth Avenue neighborhood

Garden’s Gourmet Salads in East Tacoma

Southern Kitchen in Tacoma’s Sixth Avenue neighborhood

Olive Branch Cafe tea room in Freighthouse Square by the Tacoma Dome

The Melon Seed Deli & Frozen Yogurt in Tacoma’s Oakland

Ooh Lala Burgers in Tacoma’s North End.

Black Bear Frozen Yogurt on 72nd Street in Tacoma

And the winners are:

Grand Prize - $50 gift card

1. Maylena Rowe
2. Susan Linden
3. Larra Reyes

$25 gift card

• Shalonda Miles
• Isabel Frost
• Miriam Voellger
• Courtnie Christel
• Fernie Anne Bautista
• Laura Allison
• Robert Salas
• Allison Roth
• Armelynjoy Valdez
• Kendra O'Brien
• Kiersten Kindel
• Kelly Thanh Phu
• Shaun Torii
• Constance Pfefferle

Meet your new slate of WSNA Local Unit Officers

Dian Davis
WSNA Local Unit Co-Chair

I came to SJMC in October 1988 as part of a one-time offered class for RNs to transition to the OR. I was subsequently hired into the Main OR January 1989. I absolutely love operating room patient care. I became active in our local unit in 2004 after being represented by WSNA in a complex grievance which was successfully settled in our favor. I have been a local unit officer ever since. I am passionate about workers’ rights and being part of the advocacy for nurses that is at the very heart of WSNA. In my time off from SJMC I spend as much time as possible with my family which consists of my husband, my four children, their spouses and my four grandsons. When I am not with them, I spend my time quilting, reading and keeping up with the long friendships I have made throughout the years.

Matthew McGuire
WSNA Local Unit Co-Chair/Treasurer

I have been a nurse of St. Joe’s since 2013. During my time at St Joe’s I have worked in med surg neuro, charged the ER transitional unit and am currently working in the emergency room. I wanted to become a local unit officer to help improve conditions for the nurses at St. Joe’s. It is important to me that nurses are protected and that our contract is not violated. I love that we have recourse to address the shenanigans pulled by management at our hospital. I love animals, particularly bunnies.

Sally Budack
WSNA Local Unit Co-Secretary

I have worked in Main SADU for 32 years. I am a member of the Staffing Committee and I maintain the ADO database for the hospital. I love being a local unit officer and advocating for all the nurses at St. Joe’s. In my spare time I ride a 3 wheel motorcycle and do machine embroidery.

Emily D’Anna
WSNA Local Unit Co-Secretary

I have been a nurse for 18 years and have worked in the FBC at SJMC for the last 6 years. I love working on my unit because of my co-workers who are amazing advocates for our patients. In 2019, I volunteered as a unit rep and helped complete the strike assessment. In 2021 I was asked to join the bargaining team and have fallen in love with the ability to advocate for my fellow nurses. When I’m not working, I love to garden and travel to tropical beaches.

Naomi Kincade
WSNA Local Unit Membership Officer

I moved here from Portland, OR and have been a nurse coming up on 2 years now. I work on the 9th floor, med-surg, day shift. I got involved with the union because I heard about how other unions advocated for their members. I was also part of a student nurse association when I was in school, that emphasized to us the value of unions. I started as a Unit Rep and then was a part of the bargaining team for our last contract before I became a Union Officer.

Teresa Kindell
WSNA Local Unit Membership Officer

I’ve been a nurse for 13 years. I work on ACC/2 South. I love to travel.

Shelly Mead
WSNA Local Unit Grievance Officer

I’ve been a nurse for 19 years, 17 of them in the ED at St Joe’s. I love to cook!

Yunna Flenord
WSNA Local Unit Grievance Officer

I have been a nurse 16yrs and at St. Jo's six years and work on the 5^th floor. I absolutely love road tripping, eating, spending time with my sweet girl, and anything that has to do with the Union and helping nurses. My ultimate goal is to eventually work for WSNA to aid in the better treatment of nurses.

Linda Burbank
WSNA Local Unit Grievance Officer

I have worked on ACC/2 South for 21 years. Many moons ago, I became a Local Unit Officer when my peers nominated me. I fell in love with the role because it allowed me to advocate for the nurses, staff, and patients. I’m just wrapping up my Professional Legacy Book to help support the nurses upon my retirement.

Nurse of the Year: Linda Burbank

By John Gustafson

Recently, On May 6th, I most delighted to have celebrated with Linda Burbank, JD, BSN, RN as she was awarded the 2022 Rainier Olympic Nurses Association Nurse of the Year. Linda was nominated for her clinical nursing skills, her service as a leader, and most of all for her unwavering advocacy for her fellow nurses. Being an advocate for others is a constant in Linda’s life, she is a champion for anyone who is being bullied or who is struggling. From standing up for another child on the playground to standing up and advocating for her fellow nurses, she fights for others. “I am a nurse’s nurse. I fight for the nurses”. Growing up in Pierce County, Linda’s first interest was the law, but after her life took a turn with the birth of her son, she chose to pursue a career in healthcare. Starting as a Certified Medical Assistant in pediatrics in 1998, she went on to earn her Associates degree in Nursing from the Tacoma Community College in 2000 and then her BSN from UWT in 2003. She has worked as a registered nurse at St. Joseph’s Ambulatory Care unit since 2001.

Not long after starting at St. Joseph’s, her colleagues recognized her natural advocacy and encouraged her to become involved with the local unit. She’s spent the last two decades advocating for nurses. Linda has served as a grievance officer, held multiple offices in local unit leadership, and served on the safe staffing committee and as the co-chair. Linda has been on the bargaining team helping fellow Nurses get a fair contract and, on the Conference Committee speaking truth to power. Often Linda has been the “only nurse voice in the room” and knows how vital it is to have a nurse in the room where decisions are being made.

In 2016, she received a WSNA Outstanding Local Grievance Officer award. While working at the bedside and advocating for nurses, she returned to school to pursue her original passion. Linda earned her Juris Doctor Degree with a Healthcare & Estate Planning Focus from Seattle University School of Law in 2006. In 2007, she started a law practice focusing on guardianships, probate, estate planning, and personal auto & injury. For the last 16 years, she’s balanced both careers. “I just love helping people.” When asked about advice for new nurses, Linda stressed the importance of self-care and the importance of becoming an advocate. “It’s ok to stand up for the right things and advocate for your patients.” She also encourages them to not be afraid to ask for help and support. As a perpetual mentor and advocate, Linda is writing a book to share her wisdom learned from her career as a nurse advocating for her fellow nurses.

Family is very important to Linda. When her granddaughter was born, she made a point of scheduling her work around time with her granddaughter. As she cares for her aging mom and with another grandchild on the way, she continues to prioritize time with her family and continues to seek a work/life balance. Linda is looking to retire from bedside nursing in the coming months to focus on her next chapter. Linda shared how proud she is that nurses are standing up and finding their voices as advocates for their patients and each other.

WSNA Leadership Conference at Lake Chelan

By Tina Masuda

Hi everyone! I am Tina Masuda, BSN, RN and WSNA Unit Rep for Main PACU at St.Joe's. I sort of fell into this position two negotiations ago because we were in the midst of a very long contract negotiation, and I wanted my co-workers and I to have the most updated information throughout the process. This past May, I was able to go to Lake Chelan and attend the Leadership Conference with fellow WSNA members from WA state. We participated in lectures, chose breakout groups, and hung out with other Union leaders and speakers. The sessions were outstanding, and it showed me how important it is to be engaged.

Some highlights were listening to Pamela Chandra, our attorney during last negotiations and Gloria Brigham (Nursing Practice) who both shared about the RaDonda Vaught med error case and how it applies to us nurses. We also learned about Just Culture--Human Error and how trying to save time by cutting corners may lead to risky behavior i.e. taking meds out on override. We also heard from Randi Weingarten, the President of AFT and she showed us how powerful we are when we team up and show solidarity!

I am grateful to have received a scholarship to attend the conference and I recommend anyone interested in learning more to attend the next one. The Union leadership at SJMC is exceptional and I felt they represented us very well. I learned a lot and had time for fun too. Making new friends from other hospitals and engaging with the leadership from Joe's was another highlight. We need more people to step up and help us engage our members. Before you know it, negotiations will be coming around again, and we could use your help. Thank you for the opportunity to learn and become more vested in WSNA.

2022 Union Leadership Conference - RESPECT! - WSNA - video

Pedestrian safety improvements coming because you asked for safety!

By Sally Budack

At negotiations, all of our concerns were brought to the table until we got their attention. Because they don’t work our hours or have the issues we spoke of, we did a walk through on J street. One of the huge issues is the missing crosswalk between the MOB & the outpatient center. The speed limit is too high. Pedestrians are not protected. There’s more.

Administration agreed that safety improvements were needed. Because I did 2 previous pedestrian safety projects on J street, I was able to connect administration directly with the city staff who can handle the improvements needed. Meetings happened. I’m excited to report some awesome news. We are part of a $2.5 million grant for bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements along J street. The project is bigger than we are, but we were heard.

Not only are we part of that, our intersection at 19th & J will have improved signage to make it easier for motorists to see the no turn on red signs. This intersection has been upgraded several times at my request. In 2008, the city added stop lines so cars would not stop in the crosswalk, pedestrian warning signs and the crosswalk at 18th street. In 2020, they added no turn on red and pedestrian intervals (cars wait an extra period of time so pedestrians start across the street first). I really appreciate our city’s response to our safety.

We’re going to be safer.

From the city:
This project will construct a two-mile bicycle boulevard on J Street from N 3rd Street to S 27th Street, along with improved east/west bicycle connections via 6th Avenue, S 11th Street, Earnest S Brazil Street, S 17th Street, and S 18th Street, to facilitate access to Sound Transit's Tacoma Link light rail (Link) and the Hilltop Business District. This project reflects community desires to decrease speeding, improve safety, increase bicycle connectivity through Hilltop, and will fill a critical gap in Tacoma’s bike network.

Associated traffic calming elements will help slow speeds and reduce cut-through traffic by including traffic diverters that will limit through traffic at key intersections while maintaining access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and emergency vehicles (J Street is a key emergency access route: the corridor links Tacoma’s two hospitals and there are three fire stations within a half-mile). A mix of concrete and painted/low-profile curb bulbouts and center medians, along with improved pedestrian crossings, ADA-accessible signals, bicycle detection at signals, and ADA ramps, will further increase active transportation safety and accessibility, while calming traffic.

Five east/west connections ranging from one to three blocks in length will provide access to Link stops and key neighborhood destinations including the Hilltop Business District and People’s Community Center. The selected treatment type varies based on each roadway’s characteristics and range from shared lane markings to protected bike lanes. These connections will incorporate intersection improvements to facilitate crossings. The J Street Bicycle Boulevard will integrate art into project elements to reflect and celebrate the Hilltop community. Wayfinding will also be incorporated to help facilitate connectivity. This project will help increase active transportation access to transit and key community destinations, address critical safety concerns, and create a more equitable transportation system.