Bargaining Update: Progress Made. Lines Drawn. Action Required.
Posted Jan 9, 2026
On January 8, your bargaining team met with MultiCare for our first bargaining session since our contract expired. Your team showed up united, prepared, and unapologetic in fighting for nurses, patients, and our profession. Management, once again, showed us where they stood.
The Good
We secured real movement at the table. After sustained pressure from your bargaining team:
- We reached agreement to combine the Hospital-Wide Resource RN and STAT RN under Clinical Operations, including a significant premium increase of $7/hour.
- After nurses shared unacceptable and unsafe experiences related to pumping on hospital premises, MultiCare finally agreed to work with us on designated lactation spaces and appropriate refrigerator storage for both staff and visitors.
These wins happened because nurses acted collectively and stood together to show management what matters to us.
The Bad
MultiCare continues to make it clear that they are not interested in competing with St. Joe’s wages and continues to propose wages that would leave many steps behind Joe’s in year one and all of us behind by the end of the contract. Management proposed an increase of 3.25% + $2.30 in year 1, 4% in year 2, and 4% in year 3. Management also remains dug in on a disrespectful night shift differential proposal that fails to recognize the physical, emotional, and professional toll of night work. The night shift differential proposed by management includes an annual $1,000 bonus (prorated based on FTE) for nurses with 5 or more years of experience who are actively working nights at the date of payment (TBD). This amount equates to approximately $0.52/hour.
The Ugly
Management is completely unwilling to move on:
- CANMs acting as charge nurses
- Enforceable staffing committee language
- Safe staffing ratios
This refusal directly impacts the workload of nurses, patient safety, and the future of our profession. Management’s inaction speaks volumes, and it demands a response.
What’s Next: Picket Announcement
This Monday, we’ll be holding a rally and announce our next steps to management. Until we get movement on CANMs, staffing, and wages, we’ll be increasing the pressure. So come to the cafeteria on Monday to get further details!
After the announcements, we will be delivering our plans to management with a March on the Boss. This is a collective, visible action where nurses stand shoulder-to-shoulder and deliver a clear, unified message. It’s how we show management that bargaining does not happen in a vacuum and that our priorities are backed by the strength of our membership.
When we show up together, we change the power dynamics at the table.
We are marching to make it unmistakably clear that nurses:
- Strongly oppose CANMs acting as charge nurses
- Deeply care about patient safety and safe workloads
- Demand wages that reflect our skill, experience, and value
Management needs to see our faces, hear our voices, and understand that these issues are not negotiable. Every nurse who shows up strengthens our position. Everybody in the room matters.
If you are frustrated, this is your moment.
If you care about your patients, this is your moment.
If you want a fair contract, this is your moment.
Meeting Location: Cafeteria
Date: Monday, January 12
Time: 1430 (Caveat: if you’re planning to join while on your break, please come at 1515)
To participate, contact:
- Jared Richardson, jrichardson@wsna.org
- Ryan Silva, rsilva@wsna.org
- Maia Hepburn, mhepburn@wsna.org
Get Involved
Union power is built through participation. Here is how you can keep the pressure on:
- Submit your pledges
- Continue submitting ADOs whenever applicable
- Interested in attending a bargaining session? Reach out to Maia Hepburn at mhepburn@wsna.org
Next Bargaining Session
Date: Friday, January 16
Auburn Corporate Center
1002 15th Street Southwest
Auburn, WA 98001
Spill the Tea with TJ ☕
Tuesday at 2000
Next meeting: Tuesday, January 13
This is your space to ask questions, get real updates, and stand united with your coworkers. The tea will be extra hot.
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 270 632 713 319 39
Passcode: XC7LR9fc
Dial in by phone
+1 206-485-2614,,463347991# United States, Seattle
(888) 313-0615,,463347991# United States (Toll-free)
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 463 347 991#
In Solidarity,
Therese Juntunen, NTICU
Michelle Stevenson, 5/6 MSICU/PCU
Sarah Huber, Emergency Department
Christina Nicholson, Resource RN
George Murray, NTICU
Marc Jebousek, Emergency Department
Anna Vermaire, Pulse Cardiac Short Stay
Anna Glorioso-Kaufmann, Operating Room
Jaime Cary, Labor and Delivery
Rachel Ballou-Church, Medical Oncology
Questions? Contact one of your officers, one of your bargaining team members, or Nurse Rep Jared Richardson (jrichardson@wsna.org).