Your local officers have been in discussion with management about the effects of the pandemic on nurses at Island. We are happy to announce we have an agreement that benefits all. The complete MOU (Memorandum Of Understanding) is available on the local unit website or by clicking on the button below.

Highlights include the following:

• Paid administrative leave for employer mandated quarantine
• Immediate access to EIB for COVID-related illness
• Access to testing for suspected exposure
• Rapid notification to employees of COVID-positive patients and exposure risk
• The ability for ANY nurse who experiences a reduction in their FTE hours to apply for unemployment with employer backing and no contest. Applications are through the ESD (Employment Security Department).
• HR representatives will assist nurses with guidance to all available leaves.

If you are unsure of the benefits for unemployment insurance, we have done some math. We are providing this information so that nurses may make the best decision they can for themselves and their families.

UIC (unemployment insurance) will pay a max of ~$730 a week plus the $600 extra Federal stimulus. That makes a person potentially able to bring in $5320 every 4 weeks.

These are the numbers representing income for every 4 weeks. (Gross not net*)

We are aware that the nurses from a small select departments have already been able to apply for and collect unemployment and those nurses will remain unaffected by this MOU – nothing changes for you with regards to your status or unemployment claims.

Most nurses, however, can now be paid for the low census days they are facing. In return for the financial benefits to most nurses, we have agreed to low census cap changes temporarily until June 30, 2020.

We know we will all hear a lot in the coming months about the financial status of the hospital as a result of the pandemic. It has hit the small communities the hardest. Considering that, we are very pleased to have this agreement which will preserve jobs, benefits and seniority but still allow financial compensation to nurses and assist the hospital in its recovery. We are hoping to see changes and a return to a new normal very soon.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to one of your officers or Sue Dunlap directly for any questions or concerns. You are appreciated and valued and heroes in this time. We are proud to work alongside you.

Your WSNA Local Unit Officers
Kimberly A. McClure, RN - Chair
Heather Bush, BSN, RN - Vice-Chair
Stefanie Meyer, RN - Treasurer

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Sue Dunlap at sdunlap@wsna.org.