This week in Union

Posted May 1, 2026

Hello Union Nurses!

WSNA Leadership Conference:

We have returned from the WSNA leadership conference full of new ideas and invigorated. We are excited to repeat some of that training as we grow our unit stewards. Stay tuned for details, but expect a version of the training at our kick off event mid-June details TBD.

JANE HILL LITTLE-JOHN - Past Local Unit Chair receives the Emeritus Award!

We want to give a special shout out to Jane Hill-Littlejohn, who was given the Nurse Emeritus award after retiring this year from 20 plus years of Union leadership at VM. I know Jane has touched a lot of our lives over the years as mentor, teach and friend. We love you, Jane.

LOW CENSUS - Have you been placed on low census out of turn?

WSNA has become aware that the hospital is disregarding the low census order in the contract. The hospitals erroneously believes that the low census order does not have to be followed if they cancel a shift ahead of the day of the actual shift. WSNA has filed a grievance on behalf of all affected nurses and will be seeking pay for all nurses who were placed on low census out of turn. If you believe you have been placed on low census out of order, please contact your nurse rep at sfrey@wsna.org and provide the date and other details about your cancelled shift. Here is the correct order:

Nurses who have worked more than four (4) hours beyond their shift
Volunteers
Agency nurses
Nurses on overtime
Nurses working extra or incentive shifts for which they are receiving premium pay
Per diem nurses, unless the per diem nurse must work to maintain his/her competency
Staff nurses.

The Hospital will endeavor to rotate low census equitably among staff nurses on a shift...

Bargaining Spotlight: Michael Salters

This week we want to re-introduce you to our Vice-Chair Michael Salter and his Union dogs taking up May on the pending Union Dogs Calendar.

"Hey everyone! I’m Michael Salters, the Vice Chair of WSNA at VMMC and a member of the bargaining team.

I started my career on CP10 in 2018, then transitioned to the CCU in 2020—right at the beginning of the pandemic (great timing to become an ICU nurse 😅). I was part of the bargaining team during the last contract cycle, and after getting more involved, I was elected Vice Chair.

I’m passionate about advocating for nurses. We do incredibly challenging—and often very unique—work. In today’s world of corporate healthcare, it’s more important than ever that we come together and maintain a strong, united voice.

Outside of union work (or “unioning” with our chair, Hannah), I enjoy cooking, traveling, and spending way too much time thrifting."