The first day of bargaining was yesterday, April 14. The session was short, since it was the first day. Our union coalition submitted our entire set of proposals. Management will respond to our proposals at our next session.

Our proposals included:

• Eliminating the ability to cancel on-call staff from the schedule, and adding them to the low census definition. We also proposed a clear, fair and equitable, low census process to protect all RNs.
• The ability for nurses to waive their 2^nd and/or 3^rd meal period in a shift of eight hours or longer provided at least one meal period is taken during the shift. In the event that a second or third meal period is waived, the end time of the nurse's shift shall not be altered.
• Proposal for Break Relief Shifts of 4 or more hours, for RNs to pick up in order to provide breaks for those working a full shift.
• Vacation request being approved or disapproved in a timely manner.
• Language that will strengthen the process to compensate nurses appropriately when exercising an alternative holiday.
• RN3s not being expected to work a cart if managing supervisory duties. If mandated, then they must be relieved of supervisory duties. Nurses must receive proper training before being expected to administer medications.
• Proposal for On-Call nurses to be added to the Just Cause provisions.

Only Non-Economics were discussed. Wages, premiums and other economic issues were asked to be put on temporary hold by management for a later bargaining date when the financial landscape is more clear from the state.

Next day to bargain is May 27. Stay tuned for the next update.

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Chairperson Jennifer Colbert
Co-Chairperson Randale Jack 
Secretary/Treasurer Marjorie McDaniel

WSNA Nurse Representative Janet Stewart  JStewart@wsna.org