Newsletter May 2026
Past update Posted May 4, 2026 View latest update
What’s in this newsletter:
- Nurses Week
- Bargaining 2026
- Bargaining Unit Meeting
- Education
- WSNA Leadership Conference
- Hospital Staffing Committee and Conference Committee
Happy Nurses Week to the incredible nurses who embody strength, passion, integrity, and unwavering dedication each and every day. Your resilience in the face of challenges, your compassion for those in need, and your steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional care make a profound difference in the lives of your patients and their families. You serve not only as caregivers, but as advocates, leaders, and pillars of support within your communities and among your colleagues. Your integrity guides your actions, your passion fuels your purpose, and your dedication inspires us all—thank you for the extraordinary impact you make every single day.
We will be coming around on May 6 to wish you a happy week and bring you some tasty treats. Wear your WSNA t-shirt in solidarity! If you don’t have one, pick up a t-shirt in the break room.
Pre-Bargaining Survey
The pre-bargaining survey is closed as of May 1. YOUR VOICES HAVE BEEN HEARD! The bargaining team will be utilizing your input in creating a proposal for a new contract. We have bargaining dates set for July 7, 13,14 and 22.
Bargaining Unit Meeting
Stay tuned! This will be in June to kick off our bargaining!
Education
Have you had a chance to use your Education Paid Leave or education funds yet?
If not, we encourage you to take a look—these benefits are outlined in Article 16 of your contract. They can make a big difference when it comes to meeting state licensing and certification requirements, and it’s a great opportunity to invest in your professional growth.
In addition, WSNA offers professional development to help you stay current and enhance your professional competency. Our diverse education opportunities include online classes, in-person workshops and conferences.
16.1 Education Leave. After one (I) calendar year of continuous employment, Regular Full-Time, and Regular Part-Time Nurses on a pro rata basis, shall be eligible for up to twenty-four (24) hours of paid education leave to attend an educational offering approved by the Hospital. The Hospital may require the nurse to provide an in-service following the nurse's return from the professional offering. The Hospital shall pay the nurse, with proper documentation, within one (I) pay period following attendance, at the appropriate rate of pay for attending mandatory in-services or other educational offerings. The Hospital will pay fees and expenses (if any) for mandatory in-services or other mandatory education in accordance with the Hospital's expense reimbursement policy contained in Cascade Medical Center's policies, as currently enacted or hereafter amended.
WSN 16.2 Education Funds. Subject to the Hospital meeting or exceeding budget, Regular Nurses who are eligible for Education Leave shall receive up to two hundred seventy-five dollars ($275.00) per year, pro-rated for part-time nurses. A nurse may carry over Education Funds from one year to another, not to exceed two years. The Hospital, with proper documentation, will reimburse within one ( 1) pay period of attending the class, the tuition and/or travel expenses incurred to attend an approved educational offering.
Link to WSNA education: Education - WSNA
WSNA Leadership Conference
Nurses attending the WSNA Leadership Conference participated in dynamic discussions highlighting small- unit wins and the strength of collective leadership. Through shared experiences and practical strategies, nurse leaders left empowered to advocate more effectively and drive positive changes in their workplace and communities.
Hospital Staffing Committee and Conference Committee
- There have been no Assignment Despite Objection (ADOs) staffing forms received.
- The Hospital Staffing plan was accepted by DOH and posted.
- The Hospital Staffing plan has no changes for the next submission in July.
- Breaks/Meals: Natasha asked that the staff follow the process in a break/meal among staff, keeping in mind that we should not break the hospital staffing plan. Next, contact either Erin or Natasha for a break/meal. If this leads to difficulties, a consideration for break relief position as suggested by Katrina. First, follow the process.
- Voluntary Waivers for Meals- make sure you complete this form as we have been told that they are not!
- Bargaining sessions will be paid by the employer for the first time this session! 5.2 Negotiations. The Hospital will compensate up to three (3) Staff Nurses for up to thirty-two (32) hours of time per nurse time spent attending negotiation meetings in person per contractual period between the Hospital and the Association at their regular rates of pay. The Hospital, with appropriate advance notice, will release Staff Nurses to trade shifts and otherwise modify schedules to attend negotiations so long as the trade or modification does not result in the need to pay overtime compensation. Nurses who participate on the Association Negotiating Team will not be required to use accrued leave in order to account for time lost as a result of attending negotiation meetings between the Hospital and the Association but may do so if they chose.
Contact an officer for questions or concerns
Co-Chair: Aidan Ottley
Co-Chair: Brad Piers
Grievance Officer: Katrina Rosetedt
Additionally, you may contact Laurie Robinson, Nurse Representative, 206-620-4136, lrobinson@wsna.org.
For more information on how you can get involved contact Jenny Galassi, Nurse Organizer, 206-707-2948, jgalassi@wsna.org.