Rest Between Shifts

Your WSNA officers advocated for you during conference committee in March for the proper application of rest between shift. Your contract speaks to rest between shifts in article 9.9, “In scheduling work assignments, the Employer will make a good faith effort to provide each nurse with at least ten (10) hours off duty between shifts. In the event a nurse is required to work with less than ten (10) hours off duty between shifts, all time worked until the nurse receives the required rest shall be paid at time and one-half (1 1/2x) the nurse’s regular rate (e.g., where a nurse works beyond his or her scheduled shift at the request of management and as a result, does not receive at least ten (10) hours off duty between shifts).”

The timing of the extended shift does not matter, so if you stay late or come in early if you do not have the proper time to rest you are entitled to no rest between shifts.

Additionally, 9.9 speaks to adjustments in scheduling should you be called in, “However, if a nurse works in a callback capacity and is scheduled to return to work without the rest specified above, the Employer, if possible, will not require the nurse to work the scheduled shift or will send the nurse home as soon as possible.”

You have rights under your contract to receive the rest you need to care for your patients.

Representation Change

As of April 12, Laurie Robinson will be assuming representation of KVH. It has been my pleasure to serve in the capacity of nurse representative, however I will be transitioning back to full time bedside care. Please update your contracts to reflect representation changes.

Laurie is an experienced ED nurse with over 30 years of ED and trauma coordination and many years as a WSNA grievance officer prior to becoming WSNA staff. I know she will serve the nurses of KVH well.

Laurie can be reached by email lrobinson@wsna.org or by phone/text 206-620-4136.