Second meal waiver

We have reviewed MultiCare’s second meal waiver and have heard your concerns about the pending change. We want to offer the following guidance regarding the policy.

Washington state law allows for two 30-minute unpaid meal periods for nurses working 10- or 12-hour shifts. This is not new law; but MultiCare is now putting it into action. The reason you are scheduled ½ hour longer than your shift (i.e. 12 ½ hours for a 12-hour shift) is that it takes into account your one 30-minute unpaid meal break. If you take a second 30-minute unpaid meal break, then MultiCare will be deducting 30 minutes from your workday (i.e. paid 11.5 hours for a 12-hour shift) because you took that second meal break on paid time.

We have concerns about the employer expecting you to use your PTO to fulfill your FTE if you do not waive the second meal. We are currently in talks with MultiCare about this issue. They have reassured us that if you take the second meal break and have a reduction in paid hours, your FTE will not be systematically reduced when it comes to your benefits. However, when it comes to hours for reasons such as FMLA, only worked hours will be calculated.

Some have asked if this affects your 15-minute breaks. This waiver has nothing to do with the 15-minute rest breaks. You are entitled to one 15-minute break for every 4 hours you work. (i.e. 3 x 15-minute breaks for 12-hour shift). Do your best to get your rest breaks, to include notifying your charge nurse or manager when you are struggling to get your breaks. You are not to be intimidated or retaliated against by management when you attest to missing your meal or rest breaks.

We are not in agreement that MultiCare can require nurses to choose between waiving their legally protected lunch break or face financial penalties if they choose not to waive it. If you have signed the form because you felt that you were pressured into doing so, please know that you can revoke that choice at any time.

If you have additional questions please contact your WSNA Nurse Representative Janet Stewart jstewart@wsna.org

Kronos clock

Beginning April 24, 2022, MultiCare will be eliminating the 7 minute Kronos Rounding rule. They feel it is best practice to pay employees based on the actual time you clock in at the beginning of the shift and clock out at the end of the shift. It is their right to do this; however it is a mandatory subject of bargaining with the union as it affects wages, hours and working conditions.

We are hearing your concerns and are currently negotiating the effects of this on our nurses. We are working on getting language which protects you from intimidation or discipline by management in cases when your punches are considered by them to be too early or too late. They have assured us that managers will exercise flexibility in the coming weeks as this new process gets underway. If you are at work on time and clock in late due to a line at the time clock, be sure to record that in your DELs so you are not charged with a Tardy.

As this rolls out, please continue to let us know your issues and concerns.

Wage increases effective April 10, 2022

Your annual contractual wage increase goes into effect with the April 10 pay period. You should see your wage increase of 5.77 to 6.63 % on the April 29, 2022 paycheck. This is not a step increase – those occur during your anniversary month.

Please observe your pay stubs for accuracy. If you receive the $1 Professional Pay/Certification Pay, MultiCare includes that on your pay stub with your base pay. For example, if your base pay is $47.06, you will see it as $48.06.

Your pay stub does not place a separate line item for all of your differentials, but it is multiplied in. Be sure to do the math and make sure you are receiving your differentials. For questions on how to do this, please email your local unit treasurer Aaron Bradley – plankeye02@juno.com.

For a copy of the current wage scale go to: Downloads - MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital - WSNA .

Register now for the Student Debt Clinic being held locally on April 20

Are you a nurse struggling with student debt?

The Washington State Nurses Association is hosting a FREE Student Debt Clinic for nurses in Pierce County that will:

• Show you how to lower your payments, sometimes to $0, through enrolling in income-driven repayment programs
• Teach you about the newly expanded Department of Education rules for loan forgiveness
• Educate you on how to meet the requirements for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which will get your debt forgiven, tax free, after ten years of payments
• Provide free tools to help you understand and manage your student debt

This clinic will be hosted on April 20, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the People’s Community Center in Tacoma.

We only have 50 spots, so register now!

When you register, select Washington State Nurses Association from the “Student Debt Clinic” dropdown menu.