We proposed staffing ratio and break nurses

Because of the abhorrent staffing conditions, unsafe “break buddy” breaks, and numerous ADOs detailing the poor conditions under which we are currently working, we proposed hard ratios for each unit and break nurses. We pointed to evidence-based practices that nurse-to-patient ratios lead to shorter patient stays, better patient outcomes, and heighted nurse satisfaction and retention. It is time for Virginia Mason to listen to its nurses: if you want to hire and keep nurses, establish ratios to save VM and its nursing staff. Oregon just got ratios, too. It’s time.   

Break nurses
Ratios are in place for a reason – to provide staffing that will support an excellent standard of care for our patients. When the Hospital uses break buddies, ratios are doubled for hours resulting in potentially unsafe conditions. We have proposed the elimination of the break buddy system and the use of dedicated break nurses who don’t have their own patient assignments.

Under state law, your meal and breaks periods must be uninterrupted. If not, you should clock it as missed. Have to carry a pager? That is not a break. Have to remain on the unit to watch your patients? That is not a break. Interrupted by a phone call or question? That is not a complete break.

In addition to logging your missed break in Kronos, take 90 seconds to log it in this online ADO form so that your staffing committee rep has a record of all missed breaks on the unit.

Save the date! Beer with bargainers

Come meet your negotiation team! Join members of your bargaining team following bargaining on July 6 at 6:30 pm. The location is TBD.

Know Your Representation Rights!
What to know if you are faced with an investigatory meeting

An investigatory meeting is any meeting that could lead to you being disciplined. Here are a couple of things to be aware of:

• You have the right to have a WSNA representative with you during the investigation. You need to request a WSNA rep, management does not have to offer one to you.
• Be wary of phone calls from your manager where you are being asked about something that occurred at work – you have the right to a representative if it is an investigatory meeting which could lead to discipline.
• Be wary of emails that ask something vague like, “what happened?” Not only do you have the right to a WSNA rep if it is investigatory, but if an adverse patient event is involved, the situation could escalate. Make sure your charting is accurate! Only chart what you did do, and definitely chart everything you did.
• Do not allow your manager to dissuade you from exercising your union rights!  If they say, “oh I’m not disciplining you right now.” The question is, “could what we discuss lead to discipline?”

What do you need to do if you are faced with an investigatory meeting?  Here is what you should say:

“If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, I respectfully request that my Union Representative be present at this meeting. Without representation present, I choose not to participate in this discussion.”

You then need to remain and listen until dismissed. Once dismissed, contact your WSNA rep as soon as possible to arrange to have a Union Representative present at the meeting with you.

Bargaining Session 3 happens Wednesday, July 6.

Find us on Instagram, post your #wsnablue22 solidarity pics!
https://www.instagram.com/vmfhbargaining_unit

Join our private Facebook group!
(10) WSNA - Virginia Mason RNs | Facebook

Become a member, make our voice stronger!
https://www.wsna.org/membership/application

Want to get more involved? If you would like to attend negotiations as an observer on your day off, and learn or suggest other ways to support the bargaining team and strengthen our contract fight, get in touch with WSNA Organizer Sam Scholl sscholl@wsna.org to learn more.  

In solidarity,
The Bargaining Team
Kim Adekoya, ER, Sam Asencio, WSNA Treasurer and OR, Martha Bermeo, C8, Hannah Collins-Lewis, C9, Jane Hill Littlejohn, WSNA Chair and Resource Nurse, Art Laycock, IV, Kaylyn Lesser, ER, Aaron Persinger, C17, Michael Salters, CCU, Kim Travis-Carter, ED, Donna Watts, Birth Center, Allison Wortman, J5 Recovery

Questions or comments, please contact your Nurse Representative, Sara Frey sfrey@wsna.org.