The bargaining team met on Friday, December 20 for our 8^th negotiations session with hospital management.  We once again had discussions over the Timekeeping Letter of Understanding (LOU).  The Union continues to insist that nurses be given sufficient time to Don and Doff hospital required scrubs on paid time and that nurses should not be disciplined for clocking in early or clocking out late when needed to meet work expectations. We remain close to agreement on language that satisfies both sides.

We also heard management's response to the proposals that the Union made in our previous session. The Union made a proposal to increase the employer matching contribution to the Retirement Plan. Management rejected any increase to the Retirement Plan, saying they'd rather focus on putting funds toward wages. Their initial proposal for annual wage increases was 6%-3%-3%. Friday's proposal from the Hospital increased by 1% in Year One to 7%-3%-3%. Though that is small movement in the right direction, we feel the employer can do significantly better.  The Hospital even stated that this is not a final proposal. Management offered an increase in evening shift differential from $2.75 to $3.00 per hour but rejected the Union's proposal to also increase the night shift differential.

We made progress and were able to reach a tentative agreement on Article 19 - Uninterrupted Patient Care. It has always been the rule under the CBA that nurses cannot strike during the life of the contract. That has not changed. But the Union and the Hospital reached a tentative agreement that nurses may participate in informational picketing with other Harbor Regional Health bargaining units, provided it is not done on the nurse's work time and that there is no interruption of patient care.

A major point of contention is nurses not being able to use regular PTO (Holiday/Vacation) for sick-leave qualifying absences, once your WA paid sick leave is exhausted. This means you may not meet your FTE or be able to get paid when you are out sick, even if you still have PTO available. The Union is fighting to change this practice in negotiations.  We would love to hear your thoughts and personal experiences with this.

Your voice matters. The best way for you to participate is to join us as a Bargaining Team Supporter at our upcoming negotiations sessions on January 21, 29 and 30. Let one of the officers know that you'd like to attend. We will send reminders in January.

Stay tuned for updates on negotiations and ways you can get involved in our fight for a stronger future. In the meantime, enjoy this holiday season to the fullest. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or simply the joy of the season, we wish you peace, happiness, and a wonderful New Year. Together, let’s make 2024 a year of unity, strength, and progress and carry that over into 2025.

Your bargaining team,
Ryan Housden – ED
Jason Kindle – OPS
Jennifer Reynolds – CCU
Kim Scott – CCU
Kala Winter – Informatics
Michelle Phillips - OPS

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Janet Stewart jstewart@wsna.org (temporarily filling in for Stephenie Troftgruben).