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Whatcom County Health and Community Services

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Officers

Co-Chair

Nicole L. Miller

Co-Chair

Kai Rapaport

Treasurer

Lela C. Riherd

Grievance Officer

Julie A. McElroy

WSNA staff contact

Update your membership information
Your union rights
Staffing Complaint (ADO) form
Latest update

Negotiations Day One Update and Next Steps!

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 Negotiations have begun!  We met with the County for our first negotiation session on October 16. We had productive discussions about health insurance plans and received more information to review. It was encouraging to achieve several tentative agreements on individual articles on day one. While we have concerns about the economic forecast and how it impacts our bargaining unit’s wages, the County seemed receptive to our proposals and willing to work together overall.

We anticipate making our opening economic proposals at our next session on November 4. In the interim, team members may reach out to talk with you about your concerns and how you feel about some of the ideas we’re considering for the next contract cycle. Your input is a vital part of our bargaining strategy, so keep an eye out over the coming weeks as we ask you to weigh in on your priorities for the next three years. As always, do not hesitate to contact a team member or your Nurse Representative with questions.

Want to join the fight for a strong contract? Here’s how you can pitch in:

  • Contact Nicole, Kai, or Lela for a WSNA T-shirt or other swag. It is your right to don your union insignia in the workplace and share your union pride 😊 (Blue Monday or Blue Friday, anyone?)
  • Take a selfie or group pic and send it to a team member or Nurse Rep.
  • Read all WSNA communications to stay in the loop as we continue to bargain. Your bargaining team will need your input on proposals and priorities as we fight for one another’s rights at the table.
  • Our local unit’s dedicated WSNA webpage holds your local unit officer and Nurse Rep information, our current contract, and an archive and a chronological log of all newsletters sent to our bargaining unit. Save it as a favorite on your computer, smart phone or other device for easy access at any time https://www.wsna.org/union/whatcom-county-health-department
  • Don’t forget! Take your personal holiday before the end of the year. They do not roll over, and you deserve this contract benefit per article and section of 5.4

In unity,

Your bargaining team
Nicole Miller 
Kai Rapaport 
Lela Riherd 
Julie McElroy 
Tara Barnes Nurse Representative tbarnes@wsna.org

Previous updates

WSNA union news

An open letter to WSNA and Seattle Children’s Hospital nurses from Dr. Ben Danielson

"I stand with you in your efforts to keep anti-racism and DEI at the center of your work and at the top of the contract with Seattle Children’s Hospital."

October 17, 2025

Letter from legislators to Seattle Children's Hospital CEO Jeff Sperring

"Nurses are the backbone behind Seattle Children’s Hospital’s reputation. Your staff are essential in providing the best care for our region’s children. We encourage you to come to the negotiating table with responsive good faith proposals."

October 15, 2025

King County public health nurses hold rally Sept. 27

Public health nurses provide a safety net for King County communities but are watching their paychecks stagnate because of broken promises by the county.

October 14, 2025

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

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.

Visit cne.wsna.org