Dear WSNA Members,

March Bargaining Madness continues! March 17 marked our 15th bargaining session, with one more to go this month. We had productive discussions with the employer, exchanging proposals and making progress in several key areas. Notably, we saw positive movement with articles on sick leave and leaves of absence, and significant movement on accessing vacation.

To encourage open dialogue, we engaged in “What If” discussions allowing both sides to explore ideas without committing to formal proposals. While these are not agreements, they helped us find common ground and move discussions forward.

Key Updates

Vacation Allotment: WSNA has proposed contract language setting minimums for how many nurses can take a vacation at a time. The employer responded with concerns about implementing this and was not interested in adding contract language.

However, we were pleased that they floated a “what if” set of guidelines that would improve vacation allotments during peak times. We proposed a couple of changes based on the numbers of nurses in various departments, which the employer largely accepted. We are close to finalizing this item and appreciated the work and significant movement by the employer on a topic we know is important to all of you.

Financials: No formal proposals were exchanged, but we had constructive “what if” discussions about major economic proposals, including annual wage increases, the elimination of ghost steps, and annualized step-scale advancements. These exchanges helped narrow the distance between the two sides’ positions.  Although there definitely is more work to be done, the exchanges were constructive and helped clarify priorities on both sides.

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for Thursday, March 27.  This is an important session. We still have a few challenging topics to work on, including your wages. We need you there! If you can come for the entire time or just swing by on a break or meal period, we need YOUR support to get YOU the best contract we can.  STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES in your email and texts.

Upcoming Event

• Monday, 3/24 at 8 pm: An important Bargaining Update: “Nightcap with negotiators” on Teams. We are getting close and want to update you on where we are and what’s still at stake. Talk to your coworkers about getting on this call and coming to bargaining next week.
  Monday meeting link

Social Media and Upcoming Events

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https://www.instagram.com/wsna_evergreen/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/evergreenrns

https://www.wsna.org/union/evergreen-healthcare

Check Your Membership Status

Your membership in WSNA builds power and shows you are actively supporting your union and are behind what we are all trying to accomplish.

Online membership form

We cannot slow down! We all need all WSNA nurses to join in and stand up to remind Evergreen that high-quality patient care relies on high-quality nurses. Your participation makes the difference. Together, we are powerful. Together, we will win.

WSNA Wednesdays

Wear your WSNA shirt to work on Wednesday! Contact unit reps, CAT members, and local unit officers if you still don't have a shirt. Better yet, ask your coworkers what sizes they need and help us get shirts to them!

IMPORTANT – if you are told not to wear your T-shirt at work, ask if it would lead to discipline if you don't change into a scrub top. If you are told it would lead to discipline, change into a scrub top, but write down who said that, where you were, and when it happened.  If you see anyone wearing anything but scrub tops in clinical areas, note when and who it was. If, for example, your department had custom t-shirts made and they are worn to work in clinical areas, and you are not allowed to wear a WSNA shirt, take note of it and contact Bret Percival at BPercival@wsna.org or send a brief text to 206-471-0876. (Email is preferred for documentation and tracking.)

In solidarity,

Your Bargaining Team
Theresa Blazer, Holly Baker, Alicia O'Neal, Nikki Paulson, Sandy Gott, Ryan O'Neill Hawkins, Carol Flaming, Jaclyn Miller, Karen Lasota, Lexi Overa

Questions? Contact your WSNA Officers at localofficers@eh-nurses.com