Co-Chair
Nicole L. Miller
Officers
Co-Chair
Kai Rapaport
Treasurer
Lela C. Riherd
Grievance Officer
Julie A. McElroy
WSNA staff contact
WSNA staff contact
Tara Barnes, BSN, RN
Nurse Representative
Contract
Featured file
Latest update
Negotiations Update: We have a TA!
Posted Nov 19, 2025
After 4 sessions meeting with Whatcom County, we are gratified to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement (TA) for our 2026-2028 contract! Guided by your survey responses and ongoing engagement with bargaining team members. Upon ratification, the transition to the Teamster’s Health Benefits will occur. Nurses will receive open enrollment information from the employer in early December. Please read all communications from the employer regarding open enrollment.
Your team wholeheartedly recommends a YES vote!
There is more😊. We encourage you to review the changes and gains in the TA summary, especially prior to the voting period.
This year will be the first time for the WSNA members at Whatcom to vote on the contract electronically using Election Buddy. It is a secure, encrypted system endorsed by the US department of labor. WSNA has conducted many electronic votes successfully, including positive feedback from voters.
Only WSNA members in good standing are eligible to vote. You can join quickly and easily if you are not yet a member https://wsnaonlineapplicationportalwsnaprod.powerappsportals.com/
Each WSNA member will receive a secure, unique voting key by personal email. It will include the TA Summary and a contract copy of the before and after changes (sometimes called a red line). If there are any technical challenges whatsoever, you can contact the Nurse Representative Tara Barnes tbarnes@wsna.org directly.
Voting window opens:
Tuesday, November 25 8 am
Virtual info session on Tuesday, November 25 noon-2 pm to answer questions voters may have, including technical difficulties.
Voting window closes:
Wednesday, November 26 noon
We recommend a YES vote!
In unity,
Nicole Miller WSNA co-chair
Kai Rapaport WSNA co-chair
Lela Riherd WSNA treasurer
Julie McElroy WSNA grievance officer
Tara Barnes Nurse Representative tbarnes@wsna.org
Previous updates
Negotiations Update: We have momentum!
Nov 18, 2025
Bargaining Session Update
Nov 07, 2025
Negotiations Day One Update and Next Steps!
Oct 17, 2025
Introducing WSNA Nurse Representative
Aug 18, 2025
Getting ready for contract negotiations starts today!
Aug 05, 2025
Meeting Reminder
Jul 30, 2025
Upcoming event
2026 WSNA Union Leadership Conference
April 26-28, 2026
Save the date for the 2026 WSNA Union Leadership Conference.
WSNA union news
Resources and tools
Document unsafe conditions
If you find yourself in a situation that you believe creates unsafe conditions for patients or for you, you should complete a Staffing Complaint / ADO Form as soon as possible.
By completing the form, you will help make the problem known to management, creating an opportunity for the problem to be addressed. Additionally, you will be documenting the facts, which may be helpful to you later if there is a negative outcome.
WSNA also uses your ADO forms to track the problems occurring in your facility. When you and your coworkers take the important step of filling out an ADO form, you are helping to identify whether there is a pattern of unsafe conditions for you or your patients at your facilities. This information is used by your conference committee, staffing committee, and WSNA labor staff to improve your working conditions.
Representation rights
As a union member, you have the right to have a representative present in any meetings with management that could potentially lead to disciplinary action against you.
If called into a meeting with management, read the following to management when the meeting begins:
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.
Find out more about this crucial right and how to exercise it to ensure your fair treatment and protection.
Continuing education offerings
Enhance your professional competency with WSNA's free online courses.
Earn CNE contact hours through topics like Cultural Humility, Telehealth Assessment, Workplace Violence Prevention, and more. Convenient and self-paced, our courses provide practical knowledge for your daily work. Expand your skills and stay up-to-date with the latest nursing practices.