WSNA at UWMC Contract Bargaining Update
Posted May 28, 2025
Many of you have received letters about joining class action lawsuits for hospitals underpaying employees. Due to the 15-minute rounding (our current time keeping system), there have been several large judgements/ settlements in Washington state and nationally. UW is not immune and is subject to liability as we speak. In order to protect itself from future liability, the employer would like to move to ATR (actual time recorded). ATR pays for every minute between punches.
Self-scheduling as you know it, being able to satisfy your work hours in a way that best works with your life in a 28-day period (28/160), is on the chopping block. To get around weekly (Monday-Sunday) OT requirements starting at 40 hours worked, we are a FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) exempt unit. The employer feels that there is exposure to legal action related to such practice, even though we have been FLSA exempt with Kronos keeping time for greater than 10 years.
Have any questions? So do your bargaining team members – after lengthy discussion, it is apparent that the employer realizes there are many unanswered questions about implementation. Your bargaining team is skeptical that such drastic change is the only solution to the employers’ concerns.
Do you have a .975 FTE and 12-hour shifts? You can’t work 4 days a week with incurring OT in the new system.
Can you use straight time to do your annual competencies? Sure can’t.
Can your unit clock in/out in under 60 seconds? Doubtful. Maybe if you install an app on your phone to let the employer track when you are on campus, but they won’t pay for your phone.
The Employer has said they understand the impact of taking away 28/160, but the totality of the package they offered seems to show little acknowledgement as to how it will affect us (the Employer's opening proposed wage increase of 2% and 1% is not exactly generous). Once something leaves the contract, it doesn’t come back.
Yesterday, the bargaining team started countering the slew of Employer proposals but need your help in any way you feel comfortable.
Educate yourself and others, sign the petition, encourage your colleagues to join, tell your managers the importance of 28/160, or attend a bargaining session. We need your help to fight for 28/160!
You can do three things to continue to turn the heat up on management!
- Sign the Petition
Ask any bargaining team member for a petition or print a copy here! You can send petition signatures to wsna.uwmontlake@gmail.com or text them to WSNA Organizer Zach at 206-406-7203 zseikel@wsna.org - Share the bargaining updates
We have two joint sessions scheduled until your contract expires. It is crucial to read the email updates and share them on your unit with your co-workers. You can find our socials here. Don’t get WSNA emails updates? Follow this guide to whitelist newsletter@wsna.org. - Join us on June 3 as an observer
(Location: the Gateway building at 4320 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105) Contact Zach at zseikel@wsna.org if your schedule allows you to join us as an observer. Your presence and support of our bargaining team is priceless.
Upcoming Negotiation Dates
June 3**
June 17**
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
WSNA Nurse Representative at ML, Ed Zercher ezercher@wsna.org,