We have continued our dynamic fight at Tacoma General by filing complaints with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). These are based on your concerns about nursing and patient safety. Many of these complaints are currently being investigated and others are scheduled to begin in the near future.

We were recently notified of a win from a DOH complaint filed in December, 2020. DOH found three of our complaints substantiated, including:

1. PCU nurses serving as charge nurse of ICU nurses on the COVID-19 unit.
2. Medication errors due to critical care medications being unavailable in Pyxis on the COVID-19 unit.
3. Ambu bags were not available for ICU patients on the COVID-19 unit.

Special thanks to all of the nurses who have participated in these investigations! Our unified efforts keep us moving in the direction towards improved working conditions.

EXLO Pay

We have heard from many nurses who have said that they were denied EXLO pay when their assignments have exceeding the staffing plan ratio, when they have had to take double patients because they acted as a break buddy, or because they were acting as charge nurse but were expected to take patients.

We believe that this is a violation of the CBA and will be filing two separate Association grievances for back pay related to denied EXLO pay.

If you believe that you are owed EXLO Pay, please contact Brenda Balogh so we can make sure that you are named in the grievance. bbalogh@wsna.org