Our bargaining team returns to the table tomorrow 11/19 for session #22 and Thursday 11/21 for session # 23. These two bargaining sessions are being held with a federal mediator. Nurses have reached out asking more about what those entail.

What happens at mediation?

Like at a regular negotiation session, the parties will meet in person to discuss issues face to face. Unlike at a regular negotiation session, a federal mediator will also be present to serve as a neutral third party who facilitates conversations between our team and management’s team. Mediators can help us find common ground and shared interests, which will make it easier for us to agree on terms that work for both nurses and managers. The mediator will likely meet with each team separately and both teams as a group to discuss potential paths to a deal.

What will the mediator ask us to do? 

Mediators often help parties develop “what if” proposals, sometimes called “supposals,” that invite one another to meet in the middle on terms that are still on the table. For example, we could present a “supposal” that asks management to make a big move by matching Central’s retirement in exchange for our agreeing to waive retroactive application of our wage increases, and management would be asked to tell us whether it would agree to that sort of trade.

Are there any other rules for mediation?

Because supposals and similar paths to a deal might require us to use creative solutions, the mediator will require both nurses and management to limit what we say publicly about each mediation session. Confidentiality helps the parties make more open-ended proposals and brainstorm solutions collaboratively over the course of mediation without risking a public “gotcha” moment; in other words, it helps build trust that both parties are trying to get to a deal. With that in mind, we’ll ask observers tomorrow to keep what they see at the table close to the vest. We’ll also share fewer details about our session in our next newsletter.

Do you still need observers?

Yes! Just like at any bargaining session, we want management to see that our whole bargaining unit is in this together. Tomorrow we’ll be talking a lot about retirement, and observers help us show management that this is an issue that matters to everyone in our bargaining unit. Join us tomorrow morning to show your unit expects to be compensated equally with your peers at Central!  Call/ text WSNA Organizer Jenny Galassi, 206-707-2948 for more information.

How can you help? 

1. Wear your blue WSNA t shirt on bargaining days. Show management on the inside that we are WNSA together for a fair contract now! Take pictures with your coworkers and send them to mares@wsna.org. Pybus bucks are still on the table for our ongoing Mares family photo contest!
2. Join us at the bargaining table as an observer. We know it takes a lot of nurses on shift to run Mares Campus and serve our community every day. However, if you aren’t scheduled to work, Tuesday or Thursday please consider supporting the bargaining team as an observer! We especially need nurses to join us Tuesday morning. Management listens when more of us are united together. Call/ text WSNA Organizer Jenny Galassi, 206-707-2948 for more information.
3. Become a WSNA member today! Membership matters now more than ever. We need to show management we are united about issues important to you like retirement, wages and shift start times.

*If you were employed at Central in recent years and were an eligible voting member, please take a few minutes to fill out a new membership application at the link below.

Bargaining dates: 

11/19/2024

11/21/2024 

Both sessions are being held at Confluence Technology Center, 285 Technology Center Way.

In Solidarity,

Your Bargaining team
Chris Gallup, OR, Co-Chair
Marshall Snoddy, OR, Co-Chair
Megan Baute, GI, Secretary
Caitlin Orange, GI, Treasurer
Mateo Maestas, OR, Grievance Officer
Rochelle Mason, ED, Membership Officer
Waikele Frantz, Rehab/ Medsurg, Unit Liaison

Questions/Concerns Contact Laurie Robinson, WSNA Nurse Representative, 206-620-4136,  lrobinson@wsna.org.

For more information on how you can get involved contact Jenny Galassi, Nurse Organizer, 206-707-2948, jgalassi@wsna.org.