Our team of WSNA registered nurses from WhidbeyHealth met with the management team for our third session on Wednesday, March 13.

We were able to get a TA (Tentative Agreement) on a few articles, including new language that would give FTE nurses first opportunities for open shifts in all units. Per Diem nurses would have the opportunity after FTEs (management could schedule Per Diems for up to two shifts per schedule without first offering the shifts to FTEs).

Management continues to fall short of the mark in other areas that are of great importance to our bargaining team, such as safe staffing, workplace violence and successorship to protect nurses' working conditions in the event the hospital changes ownership. We are holding firm on all of these areas since they are very important to patient safety and nurse safety.

Management also made a proposal to take away the Memo of Understanding that offers a premium to MAC nurses who work at least (30) minutes beyond their shift. We are waiting to hear from MAC nurses as to their thoughts on this proposal.

Management still has not made any economic proposals.

We again discussed precepting and orienting. Thank you to those of you who shared your understanding of the difference in these two concepts. We would like to hear from more of you, though. Please contact one of the negotiation team members or the WSNA nurse rep.

Our next bargaining session with the employer will take place on Wednesday, March 20.

We encourage all Whidbey RNs to stay involved and let us know if you have ongoing questions or concerns. Your priorities are the driving force behind our negotiations, and we are striving to persist until we reach an agreement that is fair and deserving.

In solidarity:

Gwen Parrick, RN, Quality, Local Unit Chair
Jeremy Aaron, RN, Home Hospice, Local Unit Grievance Officer
Laura Black, RN, Med Surg, Local Unit Grievance Officer
Doreen Painter; RN, ED
Jessica Shaffer, RN, ED
Lucylyn Sinette, RN, Med Surg
Michael Aube, RN, OR
Sarah Clark, RN, OR
Mary Meeks, RN, Home Health
Luka Cobb, RN, Home Hospice
Bonnie Garcia, RN, PACU
Ann Bell, RN, PACU
Terri Williams, MS, RN, WSNA Nurse Rep (twilliams@wsna.org)
Danielle Franco-Malone, Legal Counsel for WSNA