Happy New Year Children’s Nurses! We hope you managed to find some downtime over the last week and a half. As we continue to escalate in our fight for a strong and fair contract, we want to keep you up to speed on what is taking place. Thank you to the hundreds of you who were able to attend the Sip n Chat this week to get updates, share your perspectives and have your questions answered. Below are some highlights from the information that was shared with members.

What’s Next  

1. Move forward with harnessing the POWER of this bargaining unit to fight for the contract our nurses deserve
2. Maintain focus on bargaining priorities (see our update from December 23 https://www.wsna.org/union/seattle-childrens-hospital)
3. Coordinate a meeting with the Labor Executive Council (LEC) – Date TBD
4. Continue to provide information about Strike Preparation & Resources to the bargaining unit
5. Observe for any Unfair Labor Practices (ULPs) by the employer
6. January 6 – AFT Strategic Analyst and Team to meet with employer’s finance designee to discuss data and costing discrepancy
7. January 6 – Sip n Chat/WSNA Weekly Bargaining Update
8. January 13 – Tentative bargaining date

We continue to fight to:

• Get the most nurses the greatest gains and protections
• Secure an equitable contract for our nurses
• Secure a contract that prioritizes patient and nurse health/safety

Strike Workgroups

Last chance to sign up for a strike workgroup before we start getting down to the business of planning a powerful strike.

Strike workgroup meetings begin NEXT WEEK.

SCH Strike Workgroups – Fill out form

After signing up, you will get an email link to a doodle poll. Please fill it out ASAP so we can schedule an initial meeting time for the group.

 We may separate out into smaller workgroups after our initial meet-ups or add additional workgroups as needs arise.

• Strike Line Logistics Workgroup: Manages picket lines, schedules participants, ensures visibility and order, provides signs, documents activities for social media, ensures ADA accessibility, and keeps lines legal and effective.
  • This workgroup includes carpool planning to get people to and from the strike line.
  • Works closely with childcare workgroup to identify needs of families who are walking the strike line and ensure a safe environment.
• Community Outreach and Engagement Workgroup: Works with WSNA to develop public messaging to ensure community support, and strike updates to the bargaining unit, maintains contact with WSNA media relations department, informs the public and members about strike progress as well as planning fun visible actions and identifying opportunities for public engagement. Focuses on maintaining morale, organizing activities, and educating members and the community about strike issues.
• Fundraising & Finance Workgroup: Raises funds, manages strike finances, identifies needs, resources, and employment opportunities, works with WSNA elected officers to track money, and ensures proper accounting including identifying opportunities and building a mutual aid structure for nurses in need.
• Strike Headquarters Workgroup: Identifies HQ preferably close to the main strike line, organizes meeting spaces when needed, and provides a hub for essential supplies and donations. 

Why Strike Workgroups Are Important

• Organization: Divides complex tasks into manageable units.
• Visibility: Makes the strike an effective public demonstration.
• Morale: Keeps members informed and involved, preventing burnout.
• Structure: Prevents chaos, ensures legal compliance, and maintains focus on goals.

Sip n Chat Reminders

We understand that this contract fight has been intense and stressful, to say the least. Our team feels that impact each and every day. Please remember to channel that energy into building power and achieving our goal of a strong and fair contract. In order for us to get you the most relevant responses to your questions during the Sip n Chats and to maximize our time, we ask that you follow the guidelines below:

• Provide your name and unit in the chat box when you submit a question
• Do not log on to the meeting anonymously
• Review the chat box periodically to see if your question has already been answered
• Review the attachments/resources placed in the chat box
• When possible raise your hand and ask the question verbally
• Be respectful 💙

We will continue to FIGHT for you! WE ARE WSNA.

"The time is always right to do what is right." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Do not hesitate to contact any of the officers if you have questions. All of our contacts are on our WSNA website. https://www.wsna.org/union/seattle-childrens-hospital. Also, utilizing our Instagram @sch_wsna offers quick updates and opportunities for DMs.

In solidarity,

Your Bargaining Team

Annika Hoogestraat, Kara Yates, Lindsey Kirsch, Sam Forte, Katie Podobnik, Therese Hill, Kelsey Gellner, AJ Nagal, Emma Gordon, Sarah Munro, Cody Ian, Lauren Lustyk, Regan Halom, Jon McAferty and Anne Marie Fountain

WSNA Nurse Rep Linda Burbank at lburbank@wsna.org