To our fellow nurses at Mares

 We hear you loud and clear: 92% of you said you'd vote "no" on a contract that didn't include the 403b. We brought that info to management, and at our most recent bargaining session they told us in no uncertain terms that we can't have the 403(b) unless we join Central's contract.

That means, after 28 sessions, we have a choice to make. We're exploring an option that incorporates all of the work we've done at the table over the past eighteen months to preserve what's specific to the Mares unit -- including vacation, step placement, scheduling, seniority, floating, and weekend work -- and gets us the 403b we want by joining Central's bargaining unit.

Don't get us wrong: we're frustrated. Our bargaining team has spent 28 days full days at the bargaining table and countless hours reviewing proposals and organizing away from the table. Over those 28 days, we've reached tentative agreements on all but one of the big-ticket items that led us to pursue our own bargaining unit in the first place. That leaves us with a choice: we can continue to fight for a first contract that captures those wins but leaves out that remaining item -- Confluence's 403(b) plan -- or we can pivot and agree to an MOU that includes all of those wins and the retirement plan we know we deserve. We don’t want our pride to get in the way of what's in everyone's best interest: a deal that gets us the best parts of Central's contract, including their retirement plan, and preserves what matters most to Mares nurses. Joining Central's bargaining unit with a Mares-specific MOU wouldn't give up on the package we've been fighting for since 2023; it would get us the same package with different wrapping.

That's not to say this is a done deal. Before anything is final, two things will happen: first, you'll get a chance to meet with your local unit officers, WSNA reps, and one another to talk about this option, ask questions, and get the answers you need to weigh the options and decide where you stand. We're working on materials that explain the options in front of us and setting up times to meet with every shift on every unit to discuss what's ahead. Second, you'll get a chance to make your voice heard. Nurses at Mares and Central would get a chance to weigh in on this option and vote on whether merging our bargaining units and adopting terms specific to the Mares facility makes sense for both groups. Nothing will happen unless both units vote "yes."

From day one, we have had the same bargaining goals as our colleagues at Central: protecting what's most important to us about our workplace and improving everything we can so we keep nurses in the valley and raise the bar for our profession. We think both of our bargaining units will be stronger together, both on the job and at the bargaining table in the years to come.

One final note: we know nearly all of our bargaining unit has signed our picket pledge and said they're ready to hit the streets in support of our first contract campaign. Your enthusiasm and willingness to picket is proof of our bargaining unit's strength and commitment to our cause. A picket is just one tool in our arsenal as we continue to fight for a deal; as we explore the options ahead of us, we're holding off on announcing an official picket date for now. We know you're behind us and that you'll be there when it's time to bring our fight to the community we serve.

In the meantime, feel free to check in with your local unit officers if you have concerns or questions about the path ahead. We're ready to talk to you about our options, what to expect, and how you can make your voice heard, whether we continue to bargain as an independent bargaining unit or elect to join our union siblings at Central. We know it's been a long haul -- thank you for your continued trust in our bargaining team.

Stay tuned for upcoming Q & A sessions.

Sincerely,

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