A week from today, on March 20, 2026, nurses at Good Samaritan Hospital, Mary Bridge NICU, and Tacoma General Hospital will vote on whether to adopt a new meal period and meal timing waiver.

We have received several questions about what it means to waive meal timing requirements. We want to clearly explain what the waiver covers and what protections remain under state law.

If you choose not to waive your meal period or meal timing rights, current Washington state law requires that your first meal period occur between the second and fifth hour of your shift. Any additional meal periods must occur no later than five hours after the end of the previous meal period.

Example if a nurse does not waive meal period or timing rights:

• A nurse works from 0700 to 1930.
• The first meal period must occur between 0900 and 1130.
• The second meal period must occur no later than five hours after the end of the first meal period. If the first meal period ends at 1130, the second meal period must begin by 1600.

If you choose to sign a meal period and meal timing waiver, the newly amended state law still requires that meal periods occur within specific limits. Your meal period must begin no earlier than the third hour of your shift and no later than the second-to-last hour of your shift.

Example if a nurse chooses to waive meal period and timing rights:

• A nurse works from 0700 to 1930.
• The meal period must begin no earlier than 1000 and no later than 1700.
• If the nurse also waives the additional meal period, they would not receive a second meal period during the shift.

Voting Information

Each bargaining unit will vote separately on whether to adopt the new meal waiver. Electronic voting will take place at each facility on March 20, 2026 from 0800 to 1700. Ballots will be sent to your personal email address.

If you have questions, please contact Nurse Representative Jared Richardson at JRichardson@WSNA.org.