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WhidbeyHealth Medical Center

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Officers

Chair

Gwen S. Parrick, BSN, RN

360-239-3786

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Secretary/Treasurer

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Grievance Officer

Laura Black, RN

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WSNA staff contact

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Staffing Complaint (ADO) form
Latest update

Bargaining Day 2 Update: Meal and Rest Breaks Waiver and Health Insurance Plans

On Friday, January 23, WSNA met with Whidbey leadership for the second time to bargain a Meal and Rest Breaks Waiver form. Changes to the Washington state law that provide more flexibility with meal and rest breaks for healthcare workers went into effect on January 1, 2026. Notably, “the employee and the employer may agree that one or more meal or rest periods may be combined with one or more rest periods.” Changes like this can be offered via a meal and rest break waiver, and the waiver form must be agreed upon by both Whidbey and WSNA. In this bargaining session, Whidbey unfortunately stated that they are not agreeable to combining meal and/or rest periods. We do believe this is currently occurring in some units, and Whidbey has said they will look into it.

Please visit https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.12.480 to view the updated RCW 49.12.480.

On that same day, WSNA also met with Whidbey leadership for the second time to bargain changes that were unilaterally made to your healthcare plans. We highlighted our concern regarding the significant increase in premiums for nurses who insure their families. Whidbey informed us that they believe their contribution to dependents’ premiums is “generous” and that they, in fact, don’t have to do it at all.

During bargaining, Whidbey took the position that it is not obligated to bargain with WSNA over your health insurance plans.  Per your contract, "In the event the Employer modifies its current plan or provides an alternative plan(s), the Employer will bargain about the proposed plan changes with the Union prior to implementation." WSNA believes the hospital does have an obligation to bargain over the changes.

We are scheduled to meet again on Feb 12, 2026.

Have comments, questions, or concerns? Reach out to Nurse Rep Kira Twiggs at ktwiggs@wsna.org.

Previous updates

WSNA union news

Nurses at Kadlec Regional Medical Center to picket Jan. 26

Press release

Workplace violence getting worse with no action by hospital

January 21, 2026

Tacoma General and Mary Bridge NICU fighting for ratios

Press release

Nurses picket outside Tacoma General Jan. 23 to raise awareness

January 16, 2026

WSNA President Justin Gill encourages nurses to engage and advocate in 2026

“At a time when our healthcare system faces profound challenges at both the state and national levels, it is essential that frontline voices—especially nurses—are present and heard in these spaces.”

January 15, 2026

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.

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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.

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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