Bargaining Update

We completed our ninth bargaining session on July 25. Here's a summary of the key discussions:

• Membership and Non-Members: We proposed that new hires will become members or pay their fair share, and that current non-members may remain non-members.
• Retired Pool Nurses: We proposed that Retired Pool Nurses become eligible for Incentive Pay (IP) under the same terms as regular Pool Nurses.
• Campus Flex Nurse (Employer Proposal): The employer proposed a new "Campus Flex Nurse" position, allowing nurses to work across Central and Mares campuses, or within a single department (ED, M/S, Endoscopy, Perioperative Services) on both. Current staff would not be required to flex unless mutually agreed. We proposed this be a pilot project first.
• Combined Meal/Rest Period: We proposed that nurses can elect to combine their meal and rest periods into a 45-minute off-duty period, with the option to rescind this election at any time.
• Vacation Scheduling: The employer proposed reducing vacation to one week per year, citing scheduling difficulties. To address this, we proposed:
  • Nurses with a 0.75 FTE or above would continue to have two rounds of vacation selection.
  • Nurses with a 0.74 FTE or less would have one round.
  • Job-sharing nurses would have a single vacation selection between them, with two rounds per year. We are still discussing the approval process for the number of nurses off per shift, increasing the number of nurses allowed off at a time for larger units and the ability to pre-arrange holiday swaps, including during vacation periods.
• Healthcare Premiums: The employer proposed limiting healthcare premium increases to no more than 20% per year. This is concerning, as it could mean a 60% increase over the contract's life. Our proposal is a maximum increase of $20 per month, compared to the current contract's $15 maximum.
• Incentive Pay (IP) Language: The employer proposed new, streamlined language for IP, combining FTE, Pool, and Retired Pool requirements. We are currently reviewing this.

Our next bargaining session is Thursday, July 31, 2025

In solidarity,
Todd Avis-Case Management
Paul Molenaar-ED
Simon Morton-SOU
Isaiah Ray-ICU
Sara Bergenholtz-ED
Edilia Perez-CVOR
Brittney Lamb- ED
Stefanie Gates-PACU

Share your WSNA pride! 

Make sure to wear your WNA blue shirts and “I support my bargaining team” stickers and pins on bargaining days. These can be found on your WSNA bulletin board or at our next T shirt pickup! Let’s turn the hospital blue on bargaining days to show management that we’re united for a fair contract. Send any pictures of your unit decked out in blue to Central@wsna.org.

Get social! 

1. Central nurses are now on Instagram!
2. Central nurses have a FB group. Get updates and interact with nurses when you have questions. It is also a great way to stay informed during negotiations. This is a closed FB group for the nurses in the Central bargaining unit. Ask to join and a moderator will add you to our group!