Bargaining Update: Progress Made, Key Issues Remain

The bargaining teams met on May 23 and June 12, making strides on several important issues while continuing discussions on others.

Key Developments

• Nurse Residents in Bargaining Unit (TA Achieved):   We have sought for many years to have nurse residents included in the bargaining unit, but Management always resisted. This year WE SUCCEEDED.  Nurse residents will now be in the bargaining unit and have access to the grievance procedure, with the exception of discharge or not being offered a permanent position. This is a significant win!
• Pool Nurses: Discussions are ongoing regarding how pool nurses will gain step increases, what the work requirement will be and to what degree the premium will be increased. The teams are close to an agreement on this issue.
• Nurse Practice Committee: The employer proposed dissolving the Nurse Practice Committee due to low attendance and nurses concern about unresolved issues. However, your team has emphasized the committee's value and is pushing to revitalize it rather than eliminate it.
• On-Call/Standby Premiums: Productive conversations have been held concerning On-Call/Standby premiums. This is crucial for incentivizing nurses to take positions requiring call and reducing reliance on temporary staff.

TAs (Tentative Agreements) Achieved

Several Tentative Agreements (TAs) have been reached, indicating progress on various fronts:

• 4.10 Preceptor (TA 5/23/25): Nurses will now receive preceptor pay for working with students.
• 5.5M Rest Between Shifts (TA 5/23/25): Nurses must receive advance approval to self-schedule into rest-between-shifts premium pay.
• [NEW] 4.13 Break Nurses (TA 6/12/15): A "Break Nurse" role has been established to relieve other nurses for breaks and meal periods. Break Nurses will not have permanent patient assignments or concurrent roles except in emergent situations, and the employer will make a good faith effort to assign an adequate number of break nurses.

Premium Increases (TAs Achieved)

• 8.8 Weekend Premium Pay: Will increase from $3.75 to $4.00.
• 8.9 Float Premium: Will increase from $3.00 to $4.00 per hour.
• 8.10.1 Certification Premium Pay: The total number of certifications recognized for premium pay increases from one to two, at $1 each.
• 8.10.2 Nursing Degree Premium Pay: The total number of nursing degrees recognized for premium pay increases from one to two, at $1 each.
• 8.10.3 Cap on Total Certification and Nursing Degree Premium [NEW]: A new cap of three total (combining certifications and education) has been established. For example, a nurse would receive a $3.00 premium for two certifications and one education degree, or two education degrees and one certification.

The teams are scheduled to meet again for a half-day session on Friday, June 20, in a virtual platform.  Wear your t-shirts and buttons on Friday and send in your pics!

In solidarity,
Todd Avis-Case Management
Paul Molenaar-ED
Simon Morton-SOU
Isaiah Ray-ICU
Sara Bergenholtz-ED
Edilia Perez-CVOR
Brittney Lamb- ED
Karen Doiron-MOU
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! 

• Central nurses are now on Instagram! Join us at @wsna_central

• 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! WSNA- Central Washington RNs