Your fellow nurses on your WSNA team worked very hard to secure a fair contract for the nurses at Virginia Mason during these incredibly challenging times. It seems that we have been bargaining forever during the pandemic, trying to get Virginia Mason to do right by its nurses. It was not an easy process. Back in April, we tried to settle the contract with Virginia Mason on an expedited and favorable basis as WSNA was able to do successfully with other employers. It was not to be with Virginia Mason, who at the time, insisted on terms that we knew were not acceptable to our nurses.

We then entered into full negotiations. Management continued to reject our commonsense proposals to improve staffing and to help recruit and retain nurses. It was only when nurses started stepping up and having their voices heard that things began to change. So, after eleven bargaining sessions, the last three of which with the help of a Federal Mediator, coupled with the threat of public leafletting at the doorsteps of the hospital, we reached a tentative agreement which we can recommend. It was not an easy fight, but it was one worth fighting. We hope that each and every of you continues to work with WSNA to build the voice of nursing into a force that Virginia Mason cannot ignore. We are off to a good start!

In Solidarity, your bargaining team

Jane Hill-Little­john, Susan Dunn, Suzanne Baek, and Arlene Alba

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Michelle Moore at mmoore@wsna.org.