We want to provide an important update regarding the implementation of the new anniversary-based step advancement system included in the tentative agreement.

Over the past week, we sought clarification from the Employer on how this transition would be applied, particularly in situations where nurses are close to earning a step increase under the current hours-based system.

The Employer has now responded and has taken the position that immediately upon ratification, step advancement will occur only on a nurse’s anniversary date, and that hours worked toward the 1,872-hour threshold will no longer be considered after that point.

This means that nurses who are close to reaching their next step based on hours worked could be required to wait additional months until their anniversary date to advance.

To be clear:

During mediation, the Union made it explicit that this transition was intended to benefit nurses and ensure that no one experienced a delay in progression as a result of this change.

The Employer’s current interpretation does not reflect that understanding and would result in some nurses being disadvantaged by the transition.

We have communicated this concern to the employer and are open to exploring alternative implementation options that would prevent any nurse from losing expected progression while still allowing the Employer to move to an anniversary-based system.

At this time, the Employer has not indicated a willingness to adjust their position.

We remain hopeful that the Employer will do the right thing for their nurses and agree to an implementation approach that avoids delaying step advancement for impacted staff.

Please stay tuned for further updates. If necessary, an announcement will be made regarding any changes to the ratification vote timeline.

In solidarity,
Your WSNA Bargaining Team

In solidarity, Your WSNA Bargaining Team
Meri Bukovisnky- CDU, WSNA Chair
Crystal Rivera- ED, Member at Large
Milari Romero- ICU, Member at Large
Franklin Alvarez- 7RP
Andrew Blake- Cath Lab
Kelsi Duncan- NICU
Deborah Langston- PACU, Grievance officer
Anita Dennis- PACU, Grievance officer
Jamie White- 9RP, Secretary/Treasurer

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Jennifer Jackson at jjackson@wsna.org.