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.