Local Unit Meeting

We met on February 7. It was great to see all of you all! Karen McMichael has agreed to be our Secretary/Treasurer. She joins Renee Clark-Chair and Adrienne Harris-Vice Chair.

Our next meeting will be May 9, 2023, at 1430 celebrating Nurses Week!

LMCC

We met on March 7 with the employer. We meet quarterly with the employer for these meetings. The purpose of the Labor Management Communication Committee(s) is to provide continuing communication between the parties and to promote constructive labor/management relations Members who attended were Renee Clark, Marilyn and Eva.

We discussed staffing, On Call and a rotation for RN3 and RCM on the weekends. Because this is a change in current practice we have sent an RFI, Request for Information to all of the WDVA facilities. It is important to be able to see any policy or protocol as well as ask questions.

Workplace violence was discussed. This is part of the local and statewide Safety Committee. At the state level we have been working to implement signage at the facilities alerting to any WPV will not be tolerated. As we know, WPV could occur with visitors, residents, vendors and our co-workers. WPV is not exclusive to a physical action. Incivility, bullying, and violence in the workplace are serious issues in nursing, with incivility and bullying widespread in all settings. Incivility is “one or more rude, discourteous, or disrespectful actions that may or may not have a negative intent behind them”. ANA defines bullying as “repeated, unwanted, harmful actions intended to humiliate, offend, and cause distress in the recipient.”

If you are experiencing a situation such as these, we ask that you tell the offender to stop. If you are unable to remedy the conflict, seek a supervisor. If you feel that the situation is unresolved, contact HR and file a complaint. This must be investigated and resolved.

Additionally, we have asked that the employer provide education for all staff for WPV. This is being considered by the employer. New safety features are being added to the facility. Several new solar lights will be added to the lower parking lot and all facilities will be adding video surveillance cameras.

LMCC scheduled meetings: 6/6/23, 9/5/23 and 12/5/23 2:30-3:30 pm in person at WWVH.

UMCC scheduled meetings (state) scheduled meetings: 5/4/23 and 11/2/23 2-4pm online meeting platform.

Convention

Washington State Nurses Convention is May 17-19 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center!

We will gather together at the airy, modern Greater Tacoma Convention Center for three days of education, inspiration, and celebration. This is a time to network, connect, and gather strength from one another. Nurses have emerged from the pandemic more powerful than ever and it’s our time to harness that power.

An impressive lineup of local and national speakers will address topics like speaking up for yourself and your patients, ending structural ableism, leadership in extraordinary times, self-care, creating a future you want, and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.

Your local unit officers are offering three scholarship vouchers to attend. See the link below for all of the information. If you are able to attend and are a member in good standing, please reach out to Renee Clark for a voucher.

Washington State Nurses Convention - WSNA

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please reach out to:
Renee Clark-Chair
Adrienne Harris-Vice Chair
Karen McMichael- Secretary/Treasurer
Laurie Robinson- WNSA Nurse Rep. lrobinson@wsna.org or 206-620-4136