On May 10, 2022, your contract negotiation team met with hospital administration for our third negotiation session. Hospital administration started the day expressing a desire to reset the bargaining approach and engage in negotiations that show how much they appreciate nurses. We made it clear that while we appreciated the words, the proof would be in the proposals. We were disappointed that Management did not provide responses to numerous proposals that we made at the last session. Instead, we spent a significant amount of time discussing how extra shifts should be awarded, even though we had previously worked together to reach a collaborative agreement on this process. Management is still insisting on a reduction to the amount of time for rest between shifts, language changes that would allow it to more easily discipline nurses and increased delays for nurses who want to transfer to a new position. Furthermore, they have not moved off of their 2% a year wage proposal. We were emphatic in stating that 2% is not enough to attract and retain nurses.

We are scheduled to meet next with management on May 20 and May 23, 2022.

Your bargaining team is asking that all RNs wear a “I support My Bargaining Team” sticker May 20-23 to show your support for a fair contract. Contact Colleen, Melanie or Carey for stickers.

Thank you to all of you who joined the Arbor Health Community Hospital Board Meeting last month! Your bargaining team is again asking you to join this month’s Arbor Health Community Hospital Board meeting to show your support for a fair contract. The board meets next on May 25, 2022, at 1530 on ZOOM.

Contact membership@wsna.org if you are not getting postcards and emails from WSNA. Please remember to check your junk mail.

In Solidarity, your negotiating team: Colleen Littlejohn, Local Unit Chair; Melanie Pyles, Treasurer; Carey Young

Please contact Travis Elmore, WSNA Nurse Rep at telmore@WSNA.org or 206-575-7979 ext. 3117 with questions or to find out what you can do to get a fair contract.