The UWMC-NW WSNA bargaining team met with management for our 14th session on Tuesday, July 15. We held the line on your top priorities: wages, break relief, and safety. But let’s be clear—what management has on the table is not a contract we can recommend you vote yes on.

We are frustrated by their refusal to move on wages and by their failure to recognize the critical role nurses play as the backbone of this hospital. We are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, we are skilled professionals who care for our Seattle community, and we deserve a contract that reflects that. A 4% raise over two years will not recruit or retain the nurses our patients need.

Management is proposing aligning the contracts only where they see a benefit. We have agreed with adding both the charge and preceptor premium for our intermittent/non-perm colleagues. The team has asked for a cath lab premium based on call requirements, this was again denied, so instead we requested our current MOU for PACU be expanded to cover all departments with a call requirement. WSNA also proposed increases to several premiums including:

• On-Call $10/hr
• Standby $7/hr
• Night Shift $6/hr
• Weekend $5/hr
• Float pool $5.50/hr
• RVAT $4/hr (this is a current premium at ML)

We also reached an agreement with our STAT nurses. They will no longer be classified as Float Pool but will now be classified as STAT RN. This comes with a STAT premium of $4/hr + Charge premium (this is the same as ML)

The Employer proposed increasing only 2 premiums:

• Charge premium $3/hr
• Preceptor Premium $2.50

While we appreciate and agree to take these increases, these premiums affect the least number of nurses on a given shift. The employer also notified us during this session that all changes in the CBA would not become effective until 90 days after ratification on the first available pay period as determined by the employer. This felt like a slap in the face of all the arduous work the bargaining team has but forth over these past three months.

We delivered that message loud and clear at last week’s UW Board of Regents meeting. Nurses from UWMC-NW and Montlake stood up and spoke truth to power—sharing their frustration with this process and the daily challenges we face at the bedside. See their testimony here. The Board listened, and we believe they heard us. But management came to Tuesday’s session with more of the same. No real movement. No urgency. That’s unacceptable—and it’s time for every member to step up.

Together, we can raise the standard. Here is what you can do:  

Show up for Negotiations on Friday

• Management is not just bargaining with the negotiation team; it is all of us. They need to see you behind us, show up to observe contract negotiations: sign up here. Wear your WSNA blue and buttons. Please text our WSNA organizer at 206-406-7203 if you have any questions about observing.
• Times: 11 am-2 pm and 2-5 pm
• Location: Gateway Building 4320 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105

Other ways you can support: 

• Download and print car signs and distribute to your family, friends, neighbors, and local businesses. Click here to download car signs
• Wear your “I support my bargaining team” stickers and buttons on Friday.
• Stay informed by reading all WSNA communications and follow us on social media here. Don’t get WSNA emails updates? Follow this guide to whitelist newsletter@wsna.org.

Negotiation Dates:

April 8**
April 14 NW Team
April 17 NW Team
April 23** at UW Gateway Building
April 25** Virtual at NW Campus
May 12**
May 15**
May 22**
June 3**
June 18
June 30
July 15
July 18

In solidarity,

Your bargaining team

You can contact WSNA Northwest Nurse Representative Stephenie Troftgruben at stroftgruben@wsna.org.