In this issue:

• Check your pay!
• Incentive MOU has been renewed and gains were made!
  • Does calling in sick impact your incentive bonus? No, it should not.
• PTO and PTO Safe Sick – when putting in for PTO Safe Sick, critical items you need to know.
• Your negotiating team needs you. CAT and LUL call out!
  • Next bargaining dates

Check your pay!

Do we all hear the word Genesis and cringe? Management has assured us, and has shown, that issues that arise due to Genesis are intended to be handled in a prompt, efficient manner. Off-cycle checks can and will be issued. However, we have found that when nurses call the general HR number, and put in an HR ticket, resolution is not occurring as quickly as it should. The reason is due to the large volume of reported incidents. Your WSNA Nurse Rep, Jaclyn Smedley, can help to escalate pay issues for you. Never hesitate to reach out if you have been feeling unheard. We are finding when nurses email Jaclyn, the issue is addressed sooner and more promptly for the nurses who have been harmed. Email jsmedley@wsna.org should you need further assistance, and don’t forget to check your pay!

Also, we have obtained from HR “How to Read Your Paycheck” crosswalks, which we are providing within this newsletter to try to help you understand how to read your pay. There are two documents that walk you through sample checks. What we have discovered so far is that in order to best understand your check, you have to look at your Timecard in Kronos by viewing your pay period by Week One and Week Two, to understand the corresponding hours on your checks. If you have questions, don’t forget that HR specialists are available by phone (888-687-3743) during business hours, or the Chat feature in the HR Service Portal 24/7. If you have further questions or trouble getting help from HR, let us know.

Incentive MOU has been renewed and gains were made!

We are thrilled to report the shift incentive MOU was renewed for 30 days, expiring Oct 31. In addition to this, your WSNA team of officers were able to secure a bonus amount for those nurses who work 4-hour shift blocks. Whether you come in early, or stay late, be sure to capitalize on the newly added shift bonus!

Does calling in sick impact your incentive bonus? No, it should not

Recently, we had a nurse reach out to us who was being told by management that since she called in sick, the hours she earned for incentive pay previously were no longer eligible for the bonus. Management held that was due to the sentence in the MOU that states, “FTE RNs must work all of their regularly scheduled /assigned shifts in the pay period.” Thus, the bonus was actively being taken from her upcoming check. Your WSNA Nurse Rep, Jaclyn Smedley, reached out to HR, and pointed out that it is not the intent of the language to withhold bonus pay in such matters and per the law, the employer cannot adopt an incentive program that rewards employees for not using their accrued sick leave. Sacred Heart HR responded to WSNA that they will always follow the law and will speak with their managers about the misunderstanding. The nurse was then retro-paid her incentive pay.

Sacred Heart nurses, it’s important that everyone be made aware of this important fact so you too do not lose out on your incentive pay in the event you work an incentive shift and unfortunately become ill.

PTO and PTO Safe Sick – when putting in for PTO Safe Sick, critical items you need to know.

With the change to Genesis comes many aches and pains. Previous to Genesis, nurses were able to toggle between PTO and PTO Safe sick when electing to take time off and deciding what bank they wanted their pay to be drawn from. Recently, we have learned that this fluid option is no longer available to nurses. Thus, when taking time off, the default will be PTO and will be taken as such. If a nurse wants to use their PTO Safe Sick time, then you must address this change with your manager, and they must manually make the change for you. We realize this is a hassle, but felt it was important everyone know so they don’t encounter the unfortunate surprise when taking time off.

Please remember, PTO Safe Sick hours do not have a cap, but nurses can only carry over 108 hours to the following year. Thus, at the end of the year, any hours above this should be cashed out.

Your negotiating team needs you. CAT and LUL call out!

Part of a successful negotiation campaign is YOU, the nurses of Sacred Heart. The planning always begins early, and now is the time.

We are looking for nurses who can help participate and carry out task requests of the negotiating team. Both CAT (Contract Action Team) and LUL (Local Unit Liaisons) opportunities are available. Click here to learn more about the different roles! Time commitment depends on you and what you can give. All are welcome.

Next bargaining dates

So far, we have the following dates confirmed for bargaining. Oct. 21, Nov. 8, Nov. 17, Nov. 30, and Dec. 9.

Currently, our first Local Unit Meeting with negotiation updates is scheduled for October 26. Times will be 0800-0900, 1330-1430, 1600-1700, 2000-2100. The meeting will be held at the Spokane Regional Labor Council, on 510 S Elm.

Has your email or cell phone been updated? Are you getting communications from WSNA? If you are unsure, or need to make needed changes, email Jenny Galassi, Nurse Organizer, and she can help you get back on track to receive important information! jgalassi@wsna.org.

Please note, local unit meetings are only open to SHMC nurses.