Overlake Nurses,

We had our sixth bargaining session on Friday 4/16. We used your responses to the meal and break surveys and ADOs to present the way breaks are actually happening (or not happening) – that is, nurses are either skimping on breaks or, far too often, are taking them by the buddy system. We are encouraged by the dialog that followed.

Management provided an economic counter proposal. While they improved upon their earlier wage proposals, management is still tied to its PTO proposal which would strip both the amount of PTO we would accrue in addition to cutting down on our flexibility to use PTO days when we want (as opposed to when the Hospital says we have to use it). We estimate that nurses would lose about 8 days per year in time off benefits under their currently proposed plan. Especially after this last year when so many of us have depleted our PTO, we will continue to push back against this PTO takeaway; however, Management is digging in. There will be tough conversations going forward.

We have reached agreement on some other issues including an increase in the number of bargaining sessions we get paid for. This will make it easier for us to keep the heat on. We are also still accepting PTO donations. We know that PTO is short and under threat, however even one donated hour helps us continue our advocacy. Those of you who can, please fill out the attached form and return it to Sam Scholl, our Nurse Representative sscholl@wsna.org. We remain dedicated to getting a fair contract regardless of the hours we receive.

Our next session is this Wednesday, 4/21 – this is our last scheduled session. Wear “Fair contract for your #OverlakeHeroes” stickers from your unit reps in support. You can see our video testimonies and bargaining updates on our private Facebook group. Contact Zach Seikel, WSNA Organizer, if you need an invitation to join zseikel@wsna.org, all Overlake Nurses are welcome.

In Solidarity,
Chris Birchem RN, BSW

And the Bargaining Team:

Sharon Sims, Pauline Whitney-Hille, Gemma Aranda, Cassie Bundick, Kathryn Geren, Janet Moore-Lane