Progress at the Table — But the Fight for Fair Wages Continues

Your WSNA bargaining team returned to the table with the State this week as negotiations continue for the 2027–2029 Coalition Agreement.

After weeks of limited movement, we were able to reach a number of tentative agreements that address priorities nurses brought to the bargaining table. At the same time, the State has not moved from its position of providing no general wage increase, and several important WSNA proposals remain unresolved.

We Made Progress on Nursing Priorities

Through bargaining, WSNA reached agreement on several improvements.

Vacation transparency

WSNA raised concerns about nurses submitting additional vacation requests without adequate transparency about who was being approved or denied.

We secured language requiring the Employer to provide nurses a written response to additional vacation requests, including the reason for a denial.

We also secured a new WSNA-specific reporting MOU. Before each regularly scheduled local Labor Management Communication Committee meeting, WDVA will provide WSNA a quarterly report identifying Article 12.7(C) vacation requests, including the nurse and facility/unit, when the request was submitted, the dates requested, whether it was approved or denied, when management responded, and the reason for any denial. This gives WSNA an ongoing mechanism to identify trends and address concerns with how vacation requests are being administered. 

A stronger statewide voice on safety

We also reached a tentative agreement establishing a joint Employee Safety Work Group bringing together WSNA representatives and WDVA leadership from headquarters and the 24/7 facilities.

The group will meet quarterly and address issues including workplace injuries, resident assaults, violence prevention, overexertion, emergency preparedness, training and other safety hazards. The agreement also specifically provides for sharing best practices between Veterans Homes, identifying emerging statewide concerns, promoting consistent safety practices and improving communication between nurses and WDVA. WSNA can bring issues forward for discussion, and participating representatives receive release time during their normal work hours. 

This preserves something was important: a statewide forum where concerns affecting nurses across the Veterans Homes can be raised directly with the people who can help address them.

Nursing Affidavit / new-hire wage placement

We also resolved our concern with proposed Nursing Affidavit language. Nurses will have 30 days after hire to submit qualifying nursing experience and receive the appropriate wage placement retroactive to their date of hire. Importantly, nurses will not lose retroactive correction when qualifying experience had already been disclosed or available to the Employer during hiring, or when an incorrect placement resulted from an Employer administrative or calculation error.

That protects nurses from losing wages because of information the Employer already possessed or because of an Employer processing mistake.

Break Relief Remains on the Table

One issue we are not willing to simply withdraw is break relief.

WSNA nurses, particularly at Walla Walla Veterans Home, identified timely and uninterrupted meal and rest breaks as an important bargaining priority.

We have modified our proposal throughout negotiations in an effort to address management's concerns and provide flexibility in how break coverage is accomplished. The State asked WSNA to withdraw the proposal as part of a package settlement.

We declined.

Article 23.4 remains an outstanding WSNA proposal.

We believe nurses caring for Washington's Veterans should have a reasonable process that allows them to take the meal and rest periods they are entitled to without compromising resident care.

The Biggest Issue Is Still Unresolved: Wages

While we are pleased to report progress on several important nursing issues, the State has still not moved from its position of providing no general wage increase in the next contract.

That remains unacceptable.

Inflation does not stop because the State proposes 0%.

Housing does not stop increasing. Groceries do not stop increasing. Insurance, utilities, transportation and everyday expenses do not stop increasing.

A 0% wage increase is not a neutral outcome. It means state employees fall further behind.

Competitive wages also directly affect WDVA's ability to recruit and retain experienced nurses and other public employees. Washington's Veterans deserve a stable, experienced workforce—and the employees providing that care deserve wages that recognize the value of their work.

Now We Need Members to Act

WSNA is not alone in this fight.

Our fellow unions throughout the Coalition will also be asking their members to contact the Governor and state leaders. Nurses, biologists, public safety employees, health professionals and other state workers will be delivering the same basic message:

0% is not acceptable for Washington's public workforce.

The strength of this action comes from participation. We need nurses—and family members and supporters who want to stand with Washington's public employees—to make their voices heard.

CALL GOVERNOR FERGUSON

Governor's Office: 360-902-4111

You do not need to be an expert on bargaining. You do not need to have a long conversation. A short, respectful message is enough.

You can use the following script or put it into your own words:

Hello, my name is __________. I am a registered nurse at the __________ Veterans Home and a member of the Washington State Nurses Association.

I'm calling because Washington State employees are currently bargaining our next contract, and the State has proposed no general wage increase.

A 0% wage increase is not a neutral outcome. The cost of housing, groceries, insurance, utilities and other necessities continues to increase. When wages remain frozen, public employees fall further behind.

I am proud to care for Washington's Veterans. Competitive wages are not only about my paycheck—they are about whether our Veterans Homes can recruit nurses, retain experienced nurses and provide Veterans with the stable workforce they deserve.

[Add a sentence or two about your own experience if you would like.]

I'm asking Governor Ferguson to support meaningful wage increases for Washington's public employees and a contract that recognizes the value of the people who provide essential public services every day.

Washington's Veterans deserve nurses who stay, and the nurses who serve them deserve more than 0%.

Thank you.

Family members and supporters can participate too

You don't have to work for the State to speak up. Family members and community supporters can simply identify themselves and say:

I'm calling in support of the nurses and other Washington State employees currently bargaining their next contract. These employees provide essential services to our communities, including caring for Washington's Veterans. I'm asking Governor Ferguson to support meaningful wage increases for Washington's public workforce. A 0% wage increase is not acceptable.

One Coalition. Thousands of Voices.

The progress we have made at the bargaining table happened because nurses identified what needed to change and WSNA continued pushing those priorities.

Now we need that same strength outside the bargaining room.

Make the call. Ask a coworker to make the call. Ask your family to make the call.

Our fellow Coalition unions will be mobilizing their members as well. The more state employees and supporters who speak together, the harder our message is to ignore.

KEEP ZERO IN THE DRINK AISLE.

0% FOR WASHINGTON'S PUBLIC EMPLOYEES IS NOT AN OPTION.

Stay Engaged

Your input directly shaped proposals, and your continued engagement will be important as bargaining progresses.

If you are experiencing issues related to:

• on-call scheduling
• missed breaks
• low census practices
• vacation denials

please continue to share those examples, they strengthen our ability to advocate effectively at the table.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement.

In solidarity,
Your Coalition Bargaining Team

Questions? Contact your WSNA Nurse Representative