WSNA members have been nominated for local unit officer positions by their peers. In addition to serving on the negotiations team every 3 years, your officers and WSNA staff interact with Overlake and the membership in the following ways:

• Conference committee for issues relating to the contract and working conditions.
• Hospital staffing committee for staffing and break relief compliance.
• Carry out the goals of the local unit across all departments including union training, membership promotion, and social gatherings!
• Ensure that nurse’s concerns and suggestions are communicated and addressed in coordination with unit reps and WSNA staff.

Only WSNA members in good standing are eligible to vote. You will receive a ballot by mail at the address we have for you. If you have moved in the last 12 months or are concerned we may not have your correct address, please update your mailing address and any other contact information online.

One more thing!  It was great to meet with nurses at the virtual trainings earlier this month. We have communicated that the hospital must now report missed breaks directly to the DOH beginning October 1, 2024. Stay tuned for virtual and in-person trainings Union Power Hour to understand more about how we enforce the wins in our 2024-2027 contract around break relief and MORE!

As always, clock missed breaks and file an ADO:

• when you miss them with reasons why in the options menu or free text
• when the staffing plan is not followed, and the break relief role is pulled from core staff
• when break buddy system is used, thereby increasing the assigned patients under your responsible care

10.7. 1. Break Relief Role for Nurses Staffing plans will include strategies to consistently enable nurses to take meal periods and rest breaks as required by the Agreement, and to encourage nurses to use their meal period and rest break opportunities. The topic of break relief shall be discussed at Staffing Committee meetings, including effectiveness of relief approaches and priorities for improvement when needed. Each unit shall assign on each shift at least one nurse to the break relief role with appropriate skills and abilities to cover rest breaks and meal periods Current break relief nurses in the float pool (as of May 1, 2024) will continue to provide break relief in BHU, Short Stay, Tele/Critical Care and Med/Surg units. These float/break relief nurses shall not replace or be used to supplement the break relief nurse systems in place as of May 1, 2024, in the Emergency Department and Perioperative Services.

Questions? Contact Nurse Representative Tara Barnes tbarnes@wsna.org