Your WSNA team of registered nurses met with UWMC Leadership for our 11th session of bargaining on Friday, June 27^.

 Here are some items you need to know:

The current contract between WSNA and UWMC expired as of June 30, 2025. All of the current contract language will remain in effect until July 1, 2026 while we work to get the best contract possible for nurses. Your WSNA Team will continue to bargain in good faith towards reaching an agreement with the employer with 3 additional sessions on July 21, 24 and 29.

You may have received an update from the employer, or noted in the UW "Vitals" intranet, where the employer provides their rendition of an update on "Actual Time Recording" (this is referred to as ATR and changes timekeeping from Rounding to Minute-to-Minute recording of clock in and clock out times).  This communication by the employer was confusing for nurses. It is true that other unions have agreed to the ATR model for time keeping, and some have even capitulated on some scheduling practices (no one else has our 28/160 schedule). We have not! The bargaining team maintains that if the employer is tying ATR to our innovative scheduling (28/160) we cannot agree to the PROPOSED change of either. We will continue to work with the employer in finding a solution to their fears of being sued over the 28/160 scheduling, as they were for 15 minute rounding practice in current timekeeping.

On another subject, the employer has proposed eliminating the Double Time MOU during negotiations.  WSNA countered by suggesting that this amazing staffing tool should remain in place in perpetuity in order to aid in bridging the daily staffing gaps throughout the house, and acknowledge the burden of overtime you have been taking on to keep the patients safe and staffed. Unfortunately, due to the expiration of the MOU on July 1, 2025, the employer can eliminate this unilaterally.  We mentioned to the employer that the elimination of the Prescheduled Double Time option will be a disincentive for RNs to work extra and or pick up extra shifts.  We encouraged the employer to keep this in place to keep from shooting themselves in the foot. They were unmoved, even as DT shifts were being offered last week.

Here are some additional contract Articles we exchanged counters and tentative agreements on:

Multiple MOUs that currently live in the back of the contract:

• Civil Duty Leave
• Trial Service Period
• Suspended Operations
• Rosters
• Complete Agreement
• Release Time
• Education and professional development and others

Our next session is July 21. We need your help keeping the pressure on administration! 

Here is what you can do:  

Action of the Week: Sign up to attend the next Board of Regents meeting

• Join us at the next Board of Regents meeting on July 9 at 4 p.m. as we demand they hold Hospital administration accountable for resolving negotiations now that our contract is expired—without cutting 28/160 or keeping our wages below average.
• Location: UW campus Zillow Commons (4th Floor), Gates Center.
• We need a huge show of support, wear your WSNA blue and Buttons.
• Sign Up here: RSVP for Board Meeting

Other ways you can help support your team: 

• Download and Print Car Signs and distribute to your family, friends, neighbors, and local businesses. Click here to download Car Signs
• Stay informed by reading all WSNA communications and follow us on social media here. Don’t get WSNA emails updates? Follow this guide to whitelist newsletter@wsna.org.
• Sign up to observe bargaining - Observers sign up here. Please text our WSNA organizer at 206-406-7203 if you have any questions about observing.
• Take one minute to Email your UWMC Leadership today if you have not yet and tell them their proposal to remove the 28-day flexible scheduling option is unacceptable!
  • Click the link below see the form letter that we are asking you send to CNO Kellie Garth Green, Assistant Administrator Amy Haverland and Vice President of HR Mindy Kornberg
  • Their Emails are: kgarth@uw.edu, havrilla@uw.edu, mindyk@uw.edu
  • Link to letter: https://wsna.to/UWMC28160email

Negotiation Dates:

April 8
April 23
April 25
May 8 
May 12
May 15
May 22
May 27
June 3
June 17
June 27
July 21
July 24
July 29

In Solidarity,

Your WSNA 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