Hi Whidbey RNs,

We have benefit mediation coming up, and WSNA is looking for nurses who want to be involved in the process, to ensure all voices are heard.

Last year, the hospital did not include WSNA in the benefits committee process and implemented proposed changes to the benefit plans. WSNA’s position is that the hospital was required to engage with WSNA through the benefits committee and bargain over these changes, and WSNA subsequently filed a grievance.

Before proceeding to arbitration, WSNA proposed that the parties first engage in mediation in hopes of reaching a resolution that works for everyone. Mediation brings both sides together with a neutral mediator who helps facilitate discussion and, hopefully, find a mutually agreeable resolution.

Benefits impact all of us, and this is an important opportunity to make sure the voices and experiences of Whidbey nurses are part of the conversation. If you have thoughts about your benefits, concerns about changes, or simply want to help make sure nurses have a strong voice at the table, please reach out to me.

Not sure you can make the time commitment? Please reach out anyway! Expressing interest doesn’t mean you have to commit before you know what is involved. I am happy to talk through what participation may look like and answer any questions you have.

This is your contract, your benefits, and your opportunity to have a voice in the process.

A Successful Visit on Monday

I also want to say how lovely it was to make the trip out to Whidbey on Monday. It was great getting to meet more of you, put faces to names, and spend some time talking with nurses about what is happening in your departments and what matters to you.

Thank you to everyone who took a few minutes to stop, introduce themselves, share a concern, or just say hello. Those conversations are incredibly helpful to me as your WSNA Nurse Representative, and I’m looking forward to having many more of them.

Open Teams Meeting— Thursday, August 13, 7:30–9 A.M.

Can’t catch us in person, just getting off shift, or want a chance to talk from home?

I’ll be holding an open Teams meeting Thursday morning, August 13, from 7:30–9 a.m. Drop in whenever it works for you, there is no need to stay for the entire meeting.

This is an open opportunity to ask questions, talk about benefit mediation, share what is happening on your unit, or simply check in with WSNA. Even if you only have a few minutes, please feel free to jump on.

WSNA Will Be Back August 14!

If I missed you Monday, WSNA will also be back at Whidbey in person on Friday, August 14.

We’ll be spending time rounding throughout the hospital and will also have some cafeteria time where you can stop by and chat.

Have a question? A concern? Something happening on your unit? Want to talk about benefit mediation or just meet your WSNA representatives?

Please come find us. Even if you only have a couple of minutes, we would love to see you.

Whether it’s online Thursday morning or in person Friday, I hope to hear from you!

In solidarity,

Robin Cully, rcully@wsna.org