Break Nurse Grievance Update

This group grievance began at Step 2 on August 29th. Management had requested an extension to respond, NLT September 26th. On September 26th, they had not formulated a response and asked for another 2 week extension to respond. We've waited long enough. WSNA declined the extension and advanced the grievance to Step 3.  Step 3 was heard by CNE Kristi Hartway and Multicare Labor Manager Chad Robinson. Their Step 3 response was due October 18. They have not yet responded. If a response is not provided this week, WSNA will take steps to advance this grievance to Step 4 which is Arbitration and consider filing an Unfair Labor Practice.

We know it is incredibly frustrating to watch management violate the contract and our trust, but the grievance process takes time. In the meantime, we need the bargaining unit nurses to continue our actions to let management know that we need our break nurses back and that we will NOT back down.

Here's what YOU can do to help ramp up the pressure on MultiCare: 

• We've handed out over 300 WSNA T-Shirts. WEAR THEM on BLUE FRIDAY.  Take pics and post on our WSNA Good Sam Social Media pages. Instagram @gshnurses
• Contact one of the WSNA officers or your Unit Rep if you need a shirt.
• Wear your "Break for Safety" buttons and stickers every day.
• Attest your missed breaks on Kronos; on the unit break tracking sheet; and ADOs
• Continue submitting ADOs for missed breaks; using break buddies; no break nurse.

Consecutive Weekend Grievance - Unfair Labor Practice

WSNA filed an Unfair Labor Practice against Multicare for Unilaterally retracting the Consecutive Weekend Pay for extra pick-up shifts; and for violating our contract. Testimony for this will begin in the coming months. Also, this Grievance is on its way to Arbitration.

What can you do?  Help us collect data which could be used for the Arbitration and ULP.

• Did you receive CWW pay for extra weekend pick up shifts which you offered to do to help the needs of the unit?   Which unit and what was the general time frame that this practice occurred? How many years back did this practice occur?
• Were you denied CWW pay for extra weekend pick up shifts? Do you have the correspondence denying you?
• Are you from a unit which historically has not offered CWW for extra pick up shifts? Which unit?
• Do you have a copy of management emails or texts which have either offered CWW or denied CWW for extra weekend pick up shifts?

Please send your responses to JStewart@wsna.org.

Low Census Order

Please review the contract language regarding Low Census Order.

6.7.1 Low Census Order. In the event of temporary low census, the Hospital would intend to release nurses in the following order, providing skill, competence, ability and patient continuity are adequate to meet patient care needs:
a) Agency (personnel employed on a day-to-day basis);
b) Nurses who are working at a premium, incentive, double time, or overtime rate of
pay, except when the nurse is working the nurse’s regularly scheduled shift;
c) Volunteers;
d) Travelers and Contracted Agency Nurses;
e) System Float Pool  
f) Per Diems;
g) Nurses scheduled above their authorized FTE status on their extra scheduled days.
h) Full-time or part-time nurses (including in-house float pool) in accordance with the
low census rotation.

*Note, International nurses who are not in the Bargaining Unit are considered to be "Travelers" when it comes to Low Census. 

If you are called and placed on Mandatory Low Census, feel free ask if it is actually your turn according to contract language. Ask if they have sought volunteers first? You may also ask if they are using the low census rotation list for your unit. If your unit is not following contract language, please contact Nurse Rep Janet Stewart jstewart@wsna.org..

Do You Have Disciplinary Actions Lingering in your File? 

If you have Progressive Guidance Disciplinary Actions (PG 1,2,3)., according to contract article 5.3.1: 

If this applies to you, write your request via email to your manager and to Employee Relations Specialist Alexis.Stark@multicare.org.

Questions/Comments, contact:
Your Good Samaritan Officers,

Ilia Mondoy, Raeli Korzeniecki, Mindy Thornton, Aaron Bradley, Anne Landen, Atalia Lapkin

WSNA Organizer Grace LaMonte GLamonte@wsna.org
WSNA Nurse Rep Janet Stewart Jstewart@wsna.org