In these scary times, we are so grateful to you, our members, and all the work that you are doing on the “front lines.” The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly changed the way we are all living our lives. This includes your bargaining team. We hope that you and your families are staying safe and healthy.

Your negotiation team has been working for you behind the scenes. Due to the pandemic of COVID-19, negotiations on a new contract have been delayed. While we all know that we have important work to do to turn First Hill into a hospital that can recruit and retain dedicated nurses, that work will have to wait a little longer. In the meantime, your team has agreed to an interim contract period of February 1,2020 through September 30,2020. This contract will include a 3% raise that will be retroactive to February 1, 2020.

Normally when your bargaining team reaches a tentative agreement on a new contract, the team brings the agreement back to the membership for a ratification vote. Due to the pandemic, the Executive Committee of the WSNA Cabinet on Economics and General Welfare has ratified interim contract with Kindred First Hill (in lieu of a membership vote). The interim contract is now in effect.

We look forward to getting back to the table with Kindred in a few months to begin the hard work of negotiating a contract that is fair to First Hill nurses.

ARTICLE 13 – COMPENSATION

13.1 Wage Scale for New Hires. Appendix A shall be used for New Hires. Effective on the first full pay period following the acceptance or ratification of this Agreement, the Employer will adjust the first step of Appendix A from $30.00 to $31.21. The Employer will also add a new Step 32 to the top of the scale in Appendix A. Any nurse with a base rate that is below $31.21 after the 3% increase described below shall have her/his base rate adjusted to $31.21.

13.2 Wages:

2020. All employees shall receive an across the board increase in pay of 3% (three percent) effective as of February 1, 2020.

ARTICLE 30 – DURATION

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement shall become effective as of February 1, 2020 until September 30, 2020 and shall automatically be renewed from year to year thereafter unless written notice is given by either party to the other, by registered or certified mail, at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration date, that termination or modification of this Agreement is desired.

Memorandum of Understanding reached for COVID-19

When the crisis first began to break out in Washington, we began work to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for nurses to address workplace safety and job protec­tions.
Key points

• A nurse who the Employer does not permit to work due to exposure to COVID-19 disease while at work shall be placed in administrative leave status during any quarantine period required by the Employer. Administrative leave status may be a combination of L&I Workers Compensation and use of employee paid time off benefits (sick leave and PTO).
• The Employer will offer childcare repayment assistance to employees who are paying others to watch their children while the employee comes to work in accordance with the Employer’s policy.
• Any caps on PTO accrual that would otherwise exist will be increased by 40 hours until at least the end of 2020.
• Nurse sign up for extra shift get Shift Bonuses
  • At least 3 weeks in advance will receive $250 per shift.
  • At least 2 weeks in advance will receive $187 per shift.
  • At least 1 week in advance will receive $125 per shift.
  • Code Red shift (last minute staffing assignment) $250 per shift

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Michelle Moore at mmoore@wsna.org.