Your WSNA team of registered nurses has reached a Tentative Agreement (TA).  It is time to vote.

To our fellow UWMC Montlake nurses,

We had our final scheduled meeting with the employer on Wednesday, August 13, in hopes of coming to a Tentative Agreement (TA) that the bargaining committee could endorse a “yes” vote on. For the past four months, the employer has made clear that it must move and intends to move forward with the elimination of 28/160 flexible scheduling and will start treating everyone as hourly employees effective February 16, 2026. They intend to do this whether the contract is ratified or not. All our proposals to limit the employer’s legal exposure and keep 28/160 flexible scheduling have been rejected.  Your bargaining team did not concede this. Instead, the employer made it clear that due to perceived legal exposure, they believe they can implement this change unilaterally, out of "operational necessity”.  It became clear that this is not “If” it will be eliminated, but rather “When”.

Recognizing how hugely impactful this takeaway is for RNs, we have been at the table negotiating for the best deal possible to compensate us all for this loss. We have proposed several measures to soften the blow caused by this takeaway, including alternative scheduling strategies and more generous economic packages. Management did not accept those proposals and insist UWMC is facing financial hardship.

After four months and 15 sessions of good faith bargaining, we believe we will not receive a better offer from the employer.   Unfortunately, what the employer has offered does not meet the very high bar that your bargaining team has for an endorsement. We are putting this Tentative Agreement before you neutrally.

We believe you should have the opportunity to vote on the employer’s apparent last, best and final package.

Note: You are voting on whether or not to accept the Employer’s Last Proposal they offered on Wednesday August 13.

While there will be more detailed information forthcoming about this Tentative Agreement, we would like to outline what a Yes and a No vote mean.

Voting Yes is a vote for:

• 4% raise beginning the pay period after ratification
• 3% raise July 1, 2026
• New Premium – Sunday Night ($3)
• Increased Premiums – Shift differentials ($3 Evening; $5 Night); Charge ($3); Preceptor ($2)
• Elimination of 28/160 flexible scheduling February 16, 2026

Voting No is a vote for:

• No guaranteed date for implementation of wage increases... although WSNA would fight to get the raises instated no later than February 16, 2026 since they were packaged together in the employer's last offer.  These raises could be postponed in the event both parties continue to bargain in good faith and implementation of Actual Time Recorded (ATR) is further delayed
• Continuing to work under the 2023-2025 contract until July 1, 2026
• Likely elimination of 28/160 flexible scheduling as soon as February 16, 2026 (the employer made it clear that due to perceived legal exposure, they believe they can implement this change unilaterally, out of “operational necessity”)

If the contract is not ratified, WSNA will seek additional bargaining. However, there are no guarantees that the employer will improve this package, as they have alluded to this TA being their last, best and final offer.

We will be announcing dates for upcoming Town Hall meetings, and a coffee Sip and Chat for the week of Aug. 25. There will also be more details about the voting process. We are planning on a two-day electronic vote, tentatively set for Aug. 28 and 29.

**Only WSNA members in good standing will be allowed to vote**

Your WSNA Montlake bargaining team,
Chris Jakubowski - LU Chair - Cath Lab
Doug Harper - Secretary/Treasurer- 4SA NICU
Jan Bower - Grievance Officer – OR
Erika Speckhardt - Unit Rep - 5SA CTICU
Melissa Sanchez - Unit Rep - 6S L&D
Lizzy Ryden - Unit Rep – ED
Melissa Humphrey - Unit Rep - Digestive Health
Amber Callison - 7SA
Sorrel Orr - Unit Rep - 7SE
Mark Beaumont - 5SA CTICU

Questions? Reach out to your WSNA bargaining team anytime at wsna.uwmontlake@gmail.com.