WSNA works at the local level through our local units, negotiating labor contracts to address issues that are unique to each facility – as well as ensuring that all units meet the industry standards we have established through half a century of bargaining RN contracts in Washington State. WSNA local units provide leadership and professional development opportunities, facilitate resolution of workplace issues through the collective bargaining agreement, and assist members in their role as a patient advocate.
Significant Victories
- Increased protection from mandatory overtime and mandatory shift rotations
- A guaranteed and protected voice in Health and Safety Committees, Professional Practice and Patient Care Committees, and Staffing
- Wage increases that lead the industry – including recognition for years of experience, additional steps for experience, improved differentials and premiums, and overtime pay
- Excellent benefits packages covering medical, dental, and vision insurance; and retirement plans with employer contributions
- Paid in-service training and reimbursement of educational fees including certification testing and allowances for educational leaves
- Progressive discipline and grievance procedures that assure timely, reasonable settlements including binding arbitration when necessary
- Job security with restructuring and downsizing language detailing seniority, layoff and recall procedures
- Utilization of Assignment Despite Objection (ADO) forms to document and address unsafe or poor patient care situations
- Guaranteed residency programs for new graduate nurses
Sacred Heart Nurses Win Big!
NURSES CAN AND WILL WEAR UNION BUTTONS
Back in 2004 Sacred Heart Hospital during a long negotiation process demanded that bargaining unit nurses remove a Union Button, "RN's Demand Safe Staffing" they were wearing in solidarity to the issues of the negotiations. An Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) was filed by WSNA with the NLRB in March 2004, the complaint was issued in June 2004 and the trial was held in October 2004. The Administrative Law Judge’s decision, dated March 2005 ruled in favor of the nurses and that the Hospital had committed an unfair labor practice.
Sacred Heart Medical Center then appealed the ULP decision to the "Bush Appointed" full National Labor Relations Board. Their decision was in favor of the employer, who could demand the removal of the Union buttons. WSNA then appealed this case to the United States Court of Appeals.
In March 2008, the case was heard before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. On May 10, 2008, the court ruled in favor of the WSNA related to nurses wearing a Union Button. WSNA’s petition for review was granted and the matter is now sent back to the National Labor Relations Board with directions to reinstate the original Administrative Law Judge’s Decision and Order of 2004!
That Decision and Order of 2004, stated that Sacred Heart had engaged in an unfair labor practice and first were to cease and desist for enforcing its policy prohibiting employees from wearing a Union button “in any area on campus where they encounter patients or family members:”, second, to rescind the memorandum that contains the policy, and third to post a Notice in a conspicuous place at Sacred Heart that states,
- Sacred Heart Medical Center will not prohibit its employees from wearing the "Safe Staffing" button in any area on its campus where they may encounter patients or family members
- Sacred Heart Medical Center will not in any like or related manner with, restrain or coerce employees in the exercise of rights guaranteed by Section 7 of the NLRB
- Sacred Heart Medical Center will rescind it memorandum described above,
This decision has an impact not only on the nurses in WASHINGTON, but all nurses across the country working in healthcare, represented by a union and wearing Union Buttons!
WEAR YOUR UNION BUTTONS PROUDLY!
