Bonus update

Providence announced a bonus program for all caregivers. Items that relate to pay are mandatory subjects of bargaining. The pandemic, staffing shortages, increased patient census and acuity we felt were not properly reflected in the amount offered.

Your WSNA officers felt strongly about advocating for you and while we were unable to move Providence at this time from a total dollar value of one thousand dollars paid in two five-hundred-dollar payments we were able to secure increased consideration in how per diem and part time employees who have been working more than their budgeted FTE are compensated.

Providence has indicated the first payment will be reflected on the 10/15/2021 payroll.

The MOU is available via a link on the documents bar above.

Nightshift Bonus MOU

Providence has recognized the challenges of night shift and has extended bonus payments for nurses who are currently employed in a day shift role to transition to night shift for a period of 2, 6, or 13 weeks.

“RNs who work a temporary night assignment, will receive a lump sum of $5,000 (13-week assignment) or $2,000 (6-week assignment) or $500 (2-week assignment).”

The MOU is available via a link on the documents bar above.

Staffing update

Providence has communicated to your WSNA officers that they stay committed to filling open positions and to move as quickly as possible through the hiring process. We still continue to meet regularly to address all ADOs filed. We are working to transition to only using electronic ADOs. You can utilize the online ADO form and submit directly. Please continue to submit ADOs as this is a tool to track trends and to further document staffing issues.

Submit an ADO at https://www.wsna.org/union/ado

WSNA has been working hard to highlight the current staffing conditions to elected officials. If you are interested in participating in any of these meetings to bring your voice directly to state elected officials, please send an email to your WSNA nurse representative, Shawn Reed, to indicate your interest in participating.

Grievance update

As previously communicated the association is opposed to the language on the attestation form currently used for religious and medical exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccination.

The Holy Family contract allows for association grievances to commence at step two rather than step one. Unfortunately, Providence did not agree with the association position that asking caregivers to attest to facts which may be in direct contradiction to their religious or medical belief to request an accommodation serves as a barrier and is discriminatory in nature. We have advanced this grievance to step three.

COVID hospitalizations are trending down across the state however Spokane is still disproportionately impacted.

You are vital, the work you do is important and valued, and in the face of insurmountable odds you have continued to show grace, compassion, and empathy to those that need it the most.

“Our job as nurses is to cushion the sorrow and celebrate the joy, every day, while we are ‘just doing our jobs.’” —Christine Belle

Questions? Contact your nurse representative Shawn Reed, RN, SANE - sreed@wsna.org.