Bargaining Session #6 – Moving Forward

On May 21, your WSNA Bargaining Team met with Management for session #6. Unfortunately, the County failed to come to the table with a response to our proposal for expanding a standard longevity wage scale. This lack of progress is problematic as we are up against quickly approaching budgetary deadlines for the County. The WSNA nurses have been committed to bargaining in good faith. It is past time to move this process forward.

The County has a timeline for the budget approval process. We agreed in 2023 to do the work on the Longevity Committee in 2024, to prepare for these negotiations. And, we agreed to begin negotiations in January of 2025, to ensure that our negotiations for the 2026-2027 contract started well before County budgetary deadlines, to ensure that the County budget was not locked in before bargaining was underway.

In addition to pushing the County to make a counter on our longevity proposal, we also had discussions regarding our proposals for workplace violence prevention, an improved bilingual premium and other important proposals.

Thank you to those nurses who submitted stories in support of our priority proposals – please keep them coming! You can submit them via email to your Bargaining Team or WSNA Rep. We read several story submissions right at the negotiations table. There is no question we stand united in this fight for a STRONG and FAIR contract. While statements will be shared, names will not. Here are the issues where we are keeping a sharp focus:

1. Industry and market standard wage scale up to 31 steps that recognizes all years of nursing experience with no ghost steps
2. Workplace Violence and Workplace Safety
3. Continuation of reduced parking rates for KCCF nurses at Goat Hill

Here is where you can continue to help exert the pressure needed to move the employer forward 

Take the survey below and let us know how many years of nursing experience you have. This is an easy way to help your team push for industry standard longevity steps.

Other ways you can help support your team 

• Stay informed - Read all WSNA communications and status updates from the Employer
• Engage and Participate – Watch for important updates on how to support your bargaining team and fight for a fair contract
• Let your bargaining team know if you wish to be an Observer during negotiations. Next bargaining date is May 29
• Join the monthly virtual Lunch & Learn – Next meeting June 4 at 12:05 – 12:55 pm
• Provide input/feedback to your bargaining team
• Follow on social media platforms
• Make sure you check out your WSNA webpage: https://www.wsna.org/union/seattle-king-county-health-dept-supervisors

Your Bargaining Team,

Nicole Klein, Local Unit Chair
Christopher Salatka, Local Unit Vice-Chair
Annie Roberts, Local Unit Secretary/Treasurer
Zerai Asgedom, Local Unit Grievance Officer

Questions? Contact your bargaining team members or WSNA Nurse Representative Linda Burbank lburbank@wsna.org