We can do this! We all hope we don’t have to strike, that Providence will come to the bargaining table on Oct. 29 ready to address to our concerns about huge cuts to our benefits, employee well-being and patient safety. But we need to be ready – to authorize a strike and to walk the line if that’s what we are forced to do.

Two Sacred Heart nurses share their stories about the value of EIT to take care of their families and getting ready to strike if we have to.

Vicky Stinson’s journey to becoming an active member of WSNA

“Sadly, I believe the moral decline and proposed unethical treatment of employees by Providence violates my religious convictions, and I can no longer remain neutral,” writes Sacred Heart RN Vicky Stinson. “While I still do not agree with some of the tactics and philosophies of unions on a global scale, I am now ready to be an active member with a voting voice through WSNA.”

"…if I had not been able to use my EIT, my parents would have had to move from their farm into a nursing home.”

Mary Spackman on how critical EIT has been over 39 years at Sacred Heart

“We have to be strong,” says Sacred Heart nurse Mary Spackman. “We don’t know what the future holds, so we have to be strong. And in that sense, remember, save for a rainy day.”

“We cannot let the EIT and PTO go by the wayside. I had six children over those 39 years at Sacred Heart Medical center, and because my husband was self-employed, we utilized that EIT as I had those children, as they might have been sick, and I got paid 100% of all that I had saved up for.”

This tip sheet offers ways to prepare financially for a potential strike.

We have scheduled vote times throughout the day on two consecutive days to give as many nurses as possible the opportunity to vote. Please note that vote times will be strictly enforced and limited to the voting times listed below. Make your voices heard on Oct. 24 and 25. Solidarity!

Unfair Labor Practice Strike Authorization Vote:

October 24 and 25

Carpenters Hall
127 E Augusta Ave., Spokane, WA 99207

Times (same for both days)

8-10 a.m.
1-3 p.m.
4-6 p.m.
8-10 p.m.

Each session will begin with a presentation on bargaining issues.

Questions?

Please submit your questions and potential concerns so we can be prepared to respond at the strike vote coming up.

WSNA Organizers will be in the cafeteria over the next week during the following times:

Monday, 10/21 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, 10/22 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, 10/23 3 to 8 p.m.

Any other questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Jaclyn Perkins, BSN, RN at 800-231-8482, ext. 3118 or jperkins@wsna.org.