Bargaining Update - Session #2
Posted Jul 8, 2026
We met for our second session today. Management’s team is composed of more than twice as many HR staff than nursing managers at the table where we are here to talk primarily about nursing issues. The CNO has not been present. So it is no surprise that management dodged our questions about nursing practice but dropped a lowball wage proposal at the end of the day.
Wage Proposal
Management’s last minute wage proposal (that even they admitted is where they are starting, but not where they planning to end up) dramatically undervalues our work and would deter retention and recruitment. They did not discuss other wages such as differentials. We will be making a comprehensive wage proposal that will reflect what it will take to recruit and keep nurses at VMMC on July 21. Please come observe our session. RSVP details below.
Management is trying to seize the conversation by bringing us this proposal instead of responding to proposals and conversation we had today. We won’t take the bait; here is what we proposed today:
Staffing and Break Relief
WSNA passed a comprehensive proposal related to staffing which requires commitments, not just "intent" to staff to the staffing plan. The proposals included break relief nurses since the staffing law prohibits the use of break buddies which violates the hospital staffing plan. The hospital made a staffing proposal which guts all the staffing language and replaces it with one sentence.
Per Diems
Management provided some clarity around their proposal with regards to per diems. The hospital wants more accountability and greater commitments from per diems while rejecting common sense protections, such as Just Cause, in return. The hospital is proposing that per diems must provide availability for 5 shifts per schedule, a weekend commitment of 1 full weekend or 4 single weekend shifts, and 2 holidays including one of the winter holidays. Currently, the requirement for regular per diems under 4.7 is availability for 2 shifts per schedule, no weekends or holidays. This is a BIG ask for a group of employees working at-will.
Strikes
The hospital also proposed additional no-strike language wanting "more accountability” around unauthorized strikes. The hospital rejected WSNAs proposal to allow picketing during the life of the contract. Management clearly knows our power and is afraid of what we could do as a united front.
Bargaining Unit
We made proposals to strengthen the bargaining unit, get information to nurses during new hire orientation and make it easier for nurses to advocate for pro-nursing legislation.
Bargaining Action Reminders
Wear your WSNA blue on Wednesdays Information on activities such as Sip n Chats, the mini-break survey and observers can be found here: