Day ten of negotiations is complete. Management continues to demand the ability to post positions that would allow Management to force nurses in those positions to switch between night and day shifts as frequently as every six weeks. We are concerned about the fatigue and quality of life issues nurses in such positions would face. Management also continues to propose forcing nurses in units with mandatory call to come to work on their days off even when they are not on call. These proposals are reflective of a disturbing management preference to save money on staffing by imposing risky, unreasonable burdens on our nurses with little concern about how they affect our lives.

Management is also proposing an insulting 0.5% guaranteed across-the-board wage increase each year of the contract and to implement a Short-Term Disability program, phasing out EIT.

WSNA continues to propose compensation that will attract and retain great nurses. We continue to focus on improving health insurance, improving safe staffing and reducing violence against nurses. We also proposed to increase Tuition Reimbursements as well as make a nurse eligible for this benefit after 90 days, instead of the current one year.

Overall, we feel progress continues to be a challenge with Management and there continue to be many important issues on the table.

On June 14, WSNA will be holding local unit meetings to discuss, and answer any possible questions you may have regarding strikes. Meetings will be held at the Spokane Labor Council, 510 S. Elm. From 8 to 9 a.m., 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., 4 to 5 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m.

Attorneys from WSNA Headquarters, Michael Sanderson, General Counsel and Director of Collective Bargaining, and Timothy Sears, WSNA Corporate Counsel, will be present along with Anne Tan Piazza, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, to answer your difficult strike questions.

Next days to bargain are June 4 and June 19.

NOTICE: If you are not getting WSNA emails, please call the WSNA office at 206-575-7979 and make sure your information is up to date. Also, check your spam or junk folder! We are hearing that lots of emails are ending up in spam or junk inboxes. This is communication you can’t afford to miss!

Take the PLEDGE! Ask your family members, friends and acquaintances to take the pledge to support Sacred Heart nurses. In the event community support is needed, WSNA will use this information to reach out and ask them for help as we push for a fair contract.