Yesterday, your WSNA bargaining team met with MultiCare for the first time, and we came prepared. We put forward a near-comprehensive proposal covering roughly 90% of what we plan to bring to the table this cycle. The list is too long to include everything here, but below are some of the major highlights:

• Stronger new employee orientation language to ensure every nurse understands their rights and union protections.
• Clear protections for Resource Nurses so they are assigned to patient care responsibilities rather than administrative tasks.
• A new definition for STAT RNs that safeguards their assignment.
• Guaranteed 1:4 ratios for OBED nurses.
• A new definition for Trauma Nurses to ensure availability for trauma cases in the OR and ED.
• Education premiums (BSN, MSN, PhD) included in the definition of “regular rate of pay” so as to be included in OT calculations.
• Recognition of 2M as its own clinical service line.
• Expanded definition of family members eligible for bereavement leave and EIT time.
• Stronger minimum training requirements for Float Pool nurses to ensure safe and appropriate floating, including to units like PULSE.
• An end to policies preventing nurses from clocking back in early from meal and rest breaks.
• Automatic removal of discipline from personnel files after one year.
• Increased severance pay.
• Clear language ending the use of 4-hour low census blocks.
• Stronger meal and rest break protections.
• 1:1 credit for LPN experience, regardless of where that experience was earned.
• Improved rest and compensation provisions for nurses who work excessive on-call hours.
• Addition of Juneteenth as a paid holiday.
• Equal continuing education funds for ADN and BSN nurses, with an increase to $750.
• Creation of a Racial Justice Committee.
• Elimination of payback requirements for resident nurses.
• Expansion of “Baylor” 24-hour shift positions, with significantly improved pay and PTO structures.
• Clarification that incentive pay is not considered pyramiding.

And that is just the beginning.

We intentionally held back major economic proposals, including wages, to focus on passing strong contract language first. By doing so, management now has a mountain of proposals to respond to, and we can turn our attention to a powerful economic package that reflects the value and expertise TG nurses bring to this hospital.

Join Us to Talk Bargaining

Want to hear more about what was proposed or ask questions directly? Join us for “Spill the Tea with TJ” on October 21 at 2000. Your bargaining team will be answering any and all questions about negotiations.

Our next bargaining session is October 29, and we are inviting observers to join us. Observing bargaining is one of the best ways to understand how contract negotiations work and to see your union in action. If you want a front-row seat, contact Samuel Scholl at SScholl@WSNA.org.

ADOs: One of Our Most Powerful Tools

Assignment Despite Objection (ADO) forms are one of the most effective tools we have to hold management accountable and improve conditions in our hospital. By law, the Hospital Staffing Committee must review and resolve staffing-related ADOs within 90 days of their submission. But ADOs are not limited to staffing issues — they can and should be filed for any unsafe or inappropriate situation. Retaliation or intimidation for filing an ADO is illegal.

ADOs create a documented paper trail that management cannot ignore. They lead to real-world changes, including improved staffing plans and repaired or replaced equipment.

Here are just a few examples of when to file an ADO:

• Unsafe staffing or not enough nurses, CNAs, or support staff.
• Broken scanners, computers, or other equipment.
• Security concerns.
• Inadequate training for an assignment.
• Missed or late meal and rest breaks.

ADOs can be filed at any time and can even be back-dated. If you have questions about how to file one or are concerned about retaliation, contact Jared at JRichardson@WSNA.org.

Show Our Solidarity: T-Shirts and Stickers

We’ve ordered enough WSNA T-shirts for every nurse and printed stickers designed by the children of nurses here at TG. Wear your shirt on bargaining days and sticker up every day to show our strength and unity.

This contract fight will require every one of us standing together. We deserve more than what MultiCare is giving us now. When we stand shoulder to shoulder as WSNA nurses, we send a clear message: we are united, we are strong, and we will win.

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).