SUMMARY OF 2020 TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

Sick Leave is Preserved!
The Hospital came into these negotiations with a goal of taking away sick leave for full-time nurses who are eligible for PTO. The Hospital’s proposal would have required nurses to burn PTO time for illnesses instead of sick leave. Your bargaining team fought hard to protect this important benefit. On the last day, the Hospital withdrew their proposal. All nurses will continue to accrue 1 hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked.

Wage Increases
During the negotiation of this contract, a wage increase of 3% last Spring and an additional raise averaging 6% that became effective last month. This is the largest wage increase at First Hill in recent memory. In addition, the new contract will contain the following raises:

6/1/21 – 2% or movement to the hiring grid step commensurate with years of Kindred service – whichever is higher.
6/1/22 – 3% or movement to the hiring grid step commensurate with years of Kindred service – whichever is higher.
6/1/23 – 1.5%
10/1/23 – 1.5%

Hiring Grid Adjustment
The Hospital will increase the hiring grid by 30 cents on 1/1/22. This grid applies to newly hired nurses. Additionally, the increase to the grid will increase the raises for some nurses in 2021 and 2022 above the negotiated amount.

During the term of the contract, the Hospital will be allowed to increase the hiring grid by an additional 75 cents. Any increase above 75 cents must be negotiated with WSNA.

During the term of the contract, the Hospital will be allowed to hire a new nurse by as much as one step above the step on the hiring grid that is commensurate with the nurse’s experience.

Meal and Rest Breaks
The new contract will contain language clarifying that nurses working a 12-hour shift are entitled to two 30-minute unpaid meal breaks and three 15-minute paid rest breaks. Both parties understand that most nurses prefer to waive one of the two unpaid meal breaks, so you do not have to stay at work for 13 hours in order to get 12 hours of paid time. The decision to waive a meal break is entirely up to the nurse. The Hospital will be allowed to present you with a form to enable you to waive one of your meal breaks. The Hospital is not allowed to coerce you into waiving your break. Also, you have the right to change your mind at any time.

Scrubs
The Hospital is committed to a policy of requiring nurses to wear scrubs of an assigned color. We have secured an agreement that requires the Hospital to provide nurses hired before 12/31/20 with 3 sets of scrubs for full-time nurses, one set of scrubs plus an additional top for part-time nurses and one set of scrubs for per diem nurses.

Stand-By Pay
Stand-by pay will increase to $4.00 per hour. While the Hospital will continue to be allowed to require nurses who have been low censused to take call, nurses who are on PTO or their scheduled day off will not be required to take call.

Preceptor Pay
The new contract will create a $1.00 per hour premium for nurses who precept new nurses. Precepting nurses will be required to submit required evaluations in a timely manner in order to earn the premium.

Charge Nurse Pay
The new contract will incorporate enforceable language requiring the Hospital to continue to pay charge nurses $2.50 per hour.

Insurance
In addition to First Hill’s current health insurer, the Hospital will be allowed to add Kaiser Permanente as an option for nurses.

Other Language Changes
The new contract will contain language to recognize the value and contributions of nurses in the interpretation of contract language. In addition, WSNA will have additional time to advance any grievances to arbitration.

This contract is recommended by your bargaining team: Vicki, Sonsherryer, Margaret and Faiza.

The VOTE to ratify this contract will occur on
October 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
in the Education Room on the 4^th Floor at First Hill.

You must be a WSNA Member in good standing to vote on the contract.

YOU ARE WSNA!

Michelle Moore, WSNA Nurse Representative at 206-575-7979, ext. 3019 or mmoore@wsna.org