COVID-19 Shift MOU

CWH management has given us 14-days’ notice to suspend the COVID Shift MOU. Their reasoning is that the numbers of positive patients have consistently come down.

Grievance and Arbitration updates

We won two big arbitrations regarding two nurses who were terminated by CWH. In both of the arbitrators’ decisions, both nurses were awarded their job back with back pay including all benefits. They have both chosen to not to return to work at CWH but they are still entitled to the back pay to make them whole. This was a very long process that has taken 3 years from the date of filing the grievance to finally having the arbitration hearings.

We currently have a grievance for the STAT nurses that has bee advanced to arbitration.

There have been many resolved grievances over the years. These were the first grievances that were advanced to arbitration in at least 15 years. The process works. If you believe there has been a violation of the contract, please contact the grievance officers.

Appointments and changes in the WSNA Officers

We have recently had a few vacancies that are now filled. We want to welcome the newly appointed officers and thank all the current and past officers for their hard work and dedication to representing you in bargaining, Conference Committee, Staffing Committee, and many other duties.

Nick Jackson: Chair

Lorna Sebastian: Co-chair

Paul Molenaar: Membership

Sara Bergenholtz: Membership

Paul Stamilio: Grievance officer

Karla Bourgeois: Grievance officer

Stefanie Gates: Secretary/Treasurer

Brad Piers: Communications Officer

Representation Rights (AKA Weingarten Rights)

If you are asked to meet with your manager, you have the right to ask if this could lead to discipline. If management says yes, you have a right to representation at that meeting. If they say “no” but during the course of the investigatory meeting you believe this could become disciplinary, you have a right to ask that the meeting stop so you can find a representative available to be in the meeting. That representative should be one of your WSNA officers who doesn’t work in the department you work in.

For more information on your Representation Rights go to Representation rights | Washington State Nurses Association (wsna.org)

ADO (Assignment Despite Objection)

Have you been given a patient assignment that you do not feel comfortable in accepting, you need to voice your concerns. If your department isn’t following its’ own staffing plan, file an ADO. It’s also known as a “Staffing Complaint Form”.

For more information regarding ADOs, visit the WSNA website at Staffing Complaint / ADO Form | Washington State Nurses Association (wsna.org)

Want to join the 2021 Washington State Nurses Convention for FREE?

Because of our move to a virtual convention, we’re able to offer registration for the low price of $50 for WSNA members (with code) and $100 for nonmembers. But if you reserve your spot for sponsorship, your Local Unit will reimburse the $50 member registration fee.

Just register and attend, then submit to your local unit for reimbursement. You must be a WSNA member to get the free registration.

Convention gives you the opportunity to:

• Earn up to 8.25 CNE – for free!
• Join together with nurses from around the state.
• Hear from inspiring speakers.
• Explore stories from the front lines of the pandemic with a panel of your peers.
• Celebrate nurses’ achievements, dedication and strength.

And you can do it all wearing fuzzy slippers from the comfort of your own recliner!