As you know, we were unable to reach an agreement with management during our last mediation session on Dec. 11. Our strike preparation and coalition work has been effective at moving management closer, but there is still a long way to go.

We want to make sure every member understands that Management’s “improved” proposal is still based on substantial takeaways that will affect current and future nurses alike. They are part of a corporate strategy by Providence to reduce benefits for nurses and other health care workers, all so they can pocket the savings.

The latest Management proposal includes:

• Eliminating Extended Illness Time. While current nurses will be able to continue using any EIT they have accrued, once that’s gone, it’s gone. No EIT for new nurses.
• Providence is trying to use Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program as corporate welfare. The program is designed to help everyday people whose employers DON’T offer paid leave. It was not designed as an excuse for multi-billion dollar corporations to shift costs to taxpayers.
• Management is offering NO additional Paid Time Off to compensate for loss of EIT and the need to fill the significant gaps in STD and the state Family and Medical Leave program. You will use up more PTO before you can access STD. And, many new nurses will accrue PTO at a lower rate than current nurses over the life of their employment.
• Providence’s Short-Term Disability plan remains as skimpy as ever, with no coverage for family illness, a 7-day waiting period and only a percentage of regular income replacement, STD’s shortfalls will have to be topped off by your PTO. It is not a guaranteed, earned benefit but is administered by a third party that could deny coverage. Claims for STD disability will receive much more scrutiny than is currently given to EIT requests.

We remain committed to preserving benefits for ALL nurses, today and in the future. Look for a more detailed breakout later this week.

Please read our latest public Fact Check pushing back on Providence St. Joseph Health’s corporate misinformation. As they ramp up their PR campaign we must arm ourselves with the full story and stand united to protect our benefits and win improvements in working conditions.

Our strike committees continue to meet, put plans in place, and receive training.

Now, we’re pleased to announce that we have secured space at 44 W. 6th Ave., across from Sacred Heart, for our Strike Headquarters!

Moving forward, all strike committee meetings will be held at Strike HQ. As we get Strike HQ up and running, we’ll be sending out more information about picking up materials, making picket signs, and otherwise supporting our strike.

Top officers and member leaders from our three unions (UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and the Washington State Nurses Association) recently met with Governor Jay Inslee to express our concerns about how Providence is negotiating with us and the very real risk of a strike if this is not resolved soon. He committed to call Providence CEO Rod Hochman and has now done that.

Governor Inslee’s message to Mr. Hochman was clear: This negotiation is a serious issue for Washington State.

He expects Providence to do the right thing and bargain with us in good faith.

Providence United Coalition stands with UFCW 21 bargaining teams

Sacred Heart bargaining team member Linda Clanton and WSNA Senior Director of Strategic Initiative Anne Tan Piazza as well as leadership of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW joined UFCW 21 members from Sacred Heart and Holy Family on Monday, Dec. 16. This is one example of how we are working even more closely since signing our new Unity commitment last week and pledging to work more closely for patient care and safety.

WSNA members and staff stood in solidarity with AMR EMTs and paramedics from Teamsters 690 in Spokane Dec. 17 as they picketed for a fair contract. We stand with those who provide care and support while transporting the injured and sick.

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Jaclyn Perkins at jperkins@wsna.org.