We met with Whatcom Co administration December 18, 2020, for our second session of negotiations. We are happy to report that we were able to reach agreement on carrying over vacation time to 2021, with a caveat that anything over 240 hours must be used in 2021.

We have made good progress. County wide there have been 0% wage increases and that is what we are facing in 2021. We are trying to secure a good health care package for 2022 because of the County’s move away from being self-insured. We are working hard to secure a multiyear contract that secures a wage increase in 2022. We think we are in a good spot, and we are hopeful that we can wrap this up in another session. We will meet again on January 6, 2021.

In solidarity from your Negotiating Team,

Erin Schuldt and Julie Rose

For questions, please contact Hanna Welander, WSNA Nurse Representative, hwelander@wsna.org or (206) 575-7979, Ext. 3035.