Our most recent bargaining session on August 19 marked our 11th day at the table. We continue to exchange counter proposals, primarily focused on securing acceptable wage increases over the life of the contract and remain competitive with the local market.

Here’s where we stand on some of the key issues:

IBD shifts

• We have proposed changes to IBD language that we believe aligns with sick leave protections. Management has not responded to our previous proposal. We will continue to push for incentive shifts that are protected, and the time commitment is respected.

Wages

• In this latest session Management submitted a wage proposal that was not only less than competitive with the local market but also regressive on dates when increases will take effect over the life of the new contract. Please help us in telling management that dragging out the negotiation process is not a tactic to keep staff from the raises they deserve.

Break Relief 

Adequate staffing and break relief is a fight we need to continue even outside of negotiations. With staffing plan review looming in the staffing committee, we need to ensure that issues you are experiencing with breaks or staffing is being reported.

What you can do to ensure management’s focus on adequate breaking and adequate staffing:

• Whenever you are not completely relieved of your work duties during a meal or rest break, enter it as a missed break in Kronos and fill out an ADO with the reason for the missed break.
• If base staffing does not allow an RN to have a fully relieved break, like in the case of only two RNs being staffed complete an ADO to report this as inadequate staffing even if you are within accepted patient ratios.
• If you cover for another nurse’s break and care for more patients that is contemplated under the staffing plan or feel that the added patient care duties are inappropriate, fill out an ADO.

Tentative Agreements (TA):

• Removed callback for exception to rest between shift language
• Increased PTO cash out
• Increased rights in the grievance process
• Updated low census list
• Increased professional meeting hours

Upcoming Negotiation Dates: 

• Sept 18
• TBD

Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement. Together, we continue to advocate for safer, fairer working conditions and better compensation.

Questions? Contact one of your officers or WSNA Nurse Representative Jennifer Jackson, jjackson@wsna.org.