Members of the Kadlec Local Unit met on a beautiful day to share their solidarity and wear the new t-shirts.

Wearing these t-shirts during bargaining sessions is a sign of solidarity and lets management know the nurses stand together. They are soft and super attractive too.

If you did not receive a t-shirt, never fear. We are ordering another batch. Reach out to Laurie Robinson or Ryan Rosenkranz to add you to the list!

The Negotiation Team:

We met for a successful second prep session. It is anticipated that we will need two additional sessions to complete the CBA review. Once these prep sessions are completed, we will be looking at dates for a local unit meeting. This will be a good opportunity for you to meet your negotiation team.

Meri Bukovinsky-CDU
Michelle Killebrew-Pre/Post CV Cath Lab
Jamie Woodall-FSED
Andrew Blake-Cath Lab
Vanessa Douglas-CCU
Kat Banks-PACU
Yaamen Aldaas- 9RP
Kelsi Duncan-NICU
Anita Dennis-PACU

Unit Rep Meet and Lunch:

Please come for a welcome lunch with the Officers and Bargaining Team on August 7 noon-2 p.m. in the Columbia Room.

Unit Reps: We are still looking for Unit Reps. The training is free. If you are interested in keeping your unit quickly informed sign up for a class today!

If you have questions, contact Ryan Rosenkranz our Nurse Organizer rrosenkranz@wsna.org or 206-867-4627

Investigatory Meetings:

If you are notified by you manager that you must attend an investigatory meeting, please invoke your Weingarten Rights (On the other side of your badge buddy) You have the right to have your Grievance Officer (Anita Dennis) or your Nurse Representative (Laurie Robinson) attend. If there is an outcome meeting with any corrective action, if a grievance is to be filed, it MUST be done so within 14 days.

Staffing Committee:

This meeting meets monthly and is co-chaired by Meri Bukovinsky and Kirk Harper. It is mandated by law and described within the collective bargaining agreement. (See 13.3-13.5 in the Collective Bargaining Agreement)

The staff nurse committee members:
Meri Bukovinsky-CDU
Jamie Woodard-FSED
Anita Dennis-PAU
Melissa Morris-ED, FESD, KCHO
Paula Spencer-ED
Christina Rodriguez-Resource
Brent Knutzen-CCU
Nikki May-CCU

This committee reviews Assignment Despite Objection (ADOs) submissions. Every time a nurse submits, it is sent to WSNA and Nurse Rep. It then is emailed to Kirk Harper, Meri Bukovinsky and the Unit Manager. It is the responsibility of the manager to have a verbal conversation about the ADO as well as submit a written response to the nurse and the committee. If this is not happening for you, we want to know. On average we are seeing 10 ADOs for review each month.

If there is any patient harm or safety concern, this includes staff safety. please file a QRR.

June open positions: 154
July open positions: 166

Conference Committee:

This committee meets monthly with the Officers, Kirk Harper and HR. June and July’s topics:

• ACLS- More in person courses especially for new to role nurses with the development of Code Team practice sessions.
• RNs Tasking out of Pod- What does this mean? This topic has not been completed settled, yet if you do not feel comfortable doing the task, then you must make the Lead Nurse aware. Additionally, the managers will be working on a checklist for each unit for anyone coming to the floor in a tasking role.
• PACU- The RNs are required 1 call per 4 weeks. Scheduler has been contacting nurses asking them to pick additional call times or they will be assigned. This will be brought to the manager for discussion.
• Certification pay: We asked what certification will be paid for each unit. There had been a list comprised at one time. Kirk Harper is reviewing before presenting in August.
• Triage- We have been hearing that new nurse are being assigned into the Triage role in the Emergency Dept. This is an extremely risky demand. Leadership will review the policy and situation.
• Payroll issue: Cert, Education and Resource premium pays have been missed. When is the expected remedy? Is there a process for a demand check for hardship? In the future, can a general announcement be sent to alleviate confusion? Toby Sutton-HR stated that it has been escalated. If anyone is experiencing a hardship contact Kyle Lamb-HR to obtain immediate help.
• Lactation Consultants: This area is suffering with little or no coverage. The staff has asked for additional positions, cross training other staff and this was met with no support. Kirk Harper will look into this.
• Incentive Pay: The LOU ends August 31^st. We asked to extend.
• LPN Pilot Program: Kirk Harper spoke about looking at a pilot program to bring LPNs to Kadlec.

Grievances:

Currently there are 10 active grievances. 5 are disciplinary and these are private.

• Health Care Insurance: Nurse dropped FTE and lost eligibility, yet no COBRA or letter of eligibility provided. We have seen this twice now. If you are dropping below a .5 FTE, you must obtain a COBRA or letter. This can be used to obtain other coverage through spouse, partner, private.
• Termination: Arbitrarily terminated nurse who was on L&I. Was not allowed to secure a personal LOA
• Per Diem RNs denied 15% above last service increment if they are working elsewhere within the Kadlec system. The RNs work under the collective bargaining agreement. When they work elsewhere, such as the surgical center, the CBA does not cover this work.
• Disability: CBA states that Regularly scheduled nurses covered by this Agreement are eligible to be enrolled in the Employer’s Short Term and Long-Term Disability Plans under the same terms and conditions as applicable to other employees. Currently, Kadlec policy states 100%. The CBA states The STD benefit will be maintained at a minimum of sixty-five percent (65%). This is protection language, if the employer suddenly changes their policy to 50% (example)
• Paycheck Shortages: filed by a Resource RN and included All Affected. The CBA violations are: 4.12 Regular Rate of Pay 5.3 Work Period 8.3 MSN/BSN Certification Premium 8.7 Resource Team Premium

For any questions or concerns please contact one of the Officers or Nurse Rep:

Meri Bukovinsky (CDU) Chair Cell: 208-739-3439 hart.meri@gmail.com
Jamie Woodall (FSED) Co-Chair Cell: 509-572-1091 jamie.orr237@gmail.com
Vanessa Douglas (ICU) Secretary/Treasurer Cell: 352-682-0342 vanessa.p.douglas@gmail.com
Yaamen Aldaas (9 RP) Member at Large Cell: 509-771-0326 yaamen.aldaas@gmail.com
Anita Dennis (PAU) Grievance Officer Cell: 509-781-3011 ardennis@rocketmail.com

Laurie Robinson, WSNA Nurse Representative Cell: 206-620-4136 lrobinson@wsna.org

WSNA Membership:

If you are not a WSNA member please consider completing a membership application today!