WSNA is aware that the WhidbeyHealth Executive Leadership Team has been communicating with nurses about the “extreme financial difficulties” they are attempting to manage. This includes communication about a reduction of labor force. WSNA has been in contact with hospital administration to discuss the current financial picture and actions that have been taken or may occur in the upcoming weeks. WSNA has urged Whidbey to provide transparency to all who may be affected as soon as possible.

Another Whidbey strategy to address the issues is that there is currently a hiring freeze in place except for critical positions. Please fill out an ADO if you do not have safe staffing. This is vitally important for a number of reasons including providing documentation that will encourage the filling of the open positions. The ADO form can be found here: https://www.wsna.org/union/ado WSNA is also aware that some individuals have had scheduled shifts cancelled. This is a contract violation whether overtime shifts or regular shifts. Please contact WSNA ASAP if you did not consent to this cancellation. Once a schedule is posted, it cannot be changed except by mutual consent.

As adequate staffing may be an issue, be sure to clock any missed 15 minute breaks or 30 minute meals. You are entitled to a 15 minute break for each 4 hours you work, to start within the first 3 hours of a 4 hour block. You are entitled to an unpaid 30 minute meal period, starting within the first 5 hours of your shift. If you are a 12 hour nurse, you may take a second paid meal period but would need to stay 13 hours to be paid 12 hours. Meals and breaks must be uninterrupted and occur within the correct timeframe and if not, are considered missed.

Questions? Please contact your WSNA Nurse Rep, Sara Frey sfrey@wsna.org 206.575.7979 ext 3039.

In solidarity,
your local unit officers