Co-Chair
Kara Yates, RN
Medical FA3
Officers
Co-Chair
Annika Hoogestraat, BSN, RN, CCRN, IBCLC
CICU and ECMO
(206) 250-9626
Secretary
Lindsey Kirsch, RN
Urgent Care
(206) 790-4096
Treasurer
Stefanie Chandros, BSN, RN
Critical Care Transport/Transfer Center
Grievance Officer
Sam Forte, BSN, RN
OR
Grievance Officer
AJ Nagal, BSN, RN
CCFP - Night Shift
(360) 504-8950
Grievance Officer
Katie Podobnik, BSN, RN
Plastic Surgery
Membership Officer
Therese Hill, BSN, RN
CCFP
(415) 271-0231
Membership Officer
Emma Gordon, BSN, RN
Ambulatory - Orthopedics
(206) 992-3759
Social Media Officer
Kelsey Gellner, BSN, RN
Urgent Care
(253) 279-8344
WSNA staff contact
WSNA staff contact
Linda Burbank, JD, BSN, RN
Nurse Representative
Social media
Contract
Featured files
Latest update
Updates: Changes to Gender Affirming Care Services at SCH
Posted Feb 13, 2025
On February 11, your Local Unit Officers and WSNA Nurse Rep held a virtual meeting to hear your concerns and answer your questions where possible. We also discussed a variety of engagement and advocacy ideas. THANK YOU for showing up and being vocal about the recent changes to gender affirming care services provided at SCH.
Clear Communication and Transparency from SCH
WSNA has requested that SCH communicate clearly and transparently with the Nurses and Staff that are caring for patients and families. This has been echoed in the form of letters from WSNA sent on Feb 5 and 7, and in a meeting with HR on Feb 12. SCH Leadership and HR committed to providing clarifying information. As of today, it appears that some information has been provided to Members by SCH with an ongoing commitment to provide updates.
Stronger Together
On February 7, WSNA President, Justin Gill, sent a letter to SCH Leadership announcing WSNA’s position regarding the changes.. During this time of uncertainty, it is critical that we recognize the strength in standing together. We are strategizing around future actions and need your continued involvement. Below are some opportunities to connect with others and advocate for the retention of gender affirming care services:
- MLK Labor upcoming Delegate meeting on February 19 at 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm February Delegate Meeting (RN Edna Cortez, RN Annika Hoogestraat and RN Sara Buck are your Delegates)
- Healthcare Workers for Trans Kids Candlelight Vigil on February 17
- More TBD
Resources
- WSNA Organizer, Crystal Doll, has extended herself as a resource and a connection point for those who wish to contact her at (206) 334-8388 or cdoll@wsna.org.
- Seattle Children's Hospital - WSNA (Keep up to date on what is going on)
- https://cdn.wsna.org/assets/local-unit-assets/seattle-childrens-hospital/Seattle-Childrens-Contract-2022-2025.pdf (WSNA Collective Bargaining Agreement)
- https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law/interfering-with-employee-rights-section-7-8a1 (NLRB Employee Rights)
- https://www.lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/workplace-policies/termination-retaliation#:~:text=If%20you%20think%20that%20you,off%20at%20any%20L%26I%20office. (Labor and Industries Termination and Retaliation)
- @sch_wsna (WSNA at SCH Instagram)
In solidarity,
Your Local Unit Officers
WSNA at Seattle Children's Hospital
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact your Local Unit Officers or WSNA Nurse Representative, Linda Burbank, at lburbank@wsna.org
Previous updates
Urgent meeting!
Feb 06, 2025
Reminder: Don’t forget to take your contract negotiations survey!
Jan 31, 2025
Your voice matters – Join our virtual negotiation prep sessions!
Jan 15, 2025
Complete your bargaining survey and attend the negotiations kickoff!
Jan 10, 2025
RSVP for WSNA Negotiations Kickoff 1/11
Dec 20, 2024
WSNA End of Summer Newsletter – Updates and More
Sep 13, 2024
Upcoming event
2025 Washington State Nurses Convention
April 30-May 2, 2025
10.5 CNE contact hours
WSNA's 2025 Convention, Forward Together, will address the most pressing issues facing nurses today: safe staffing, workplace violence prevention, and health equity.
WSNA union news
Resources and tools
Document unsafe conditions
If you find yourself in a situation that you believe creates unsafe conditions for patients or for you, you should complete a Staffing Complaint / ADO Form as soon as possible.
By completing the form, you will help make the problem known to management, creating an opportunity for the problem to be addressed. Additionally, you will be documenting the facts, which may be helpful to you later if there is a negative outcome.
WSNA also uses your ADO forms to track the problems occurring in your facility. When you and your coworkers take the important step of filling out an ADO form, you are helping to identify whether there is a pattern of unsafe conditions for you or your patients at your facilities. This information is used by your conference committee, staffing committee, and WSNA labor staff to improve your working conditions.
Representation rights
As a union member, you have the right to have a representative present in any meetings with management that could potentially lead to disciplinary action against you.
If called into a meeting with management, read the following to management when the meeting begins:
If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, I respectfully request that my union representative be present at this meeting. Without representation present, I choose not to participate in this discussion.
Find out more about this crucial right and how to exercise it to ensure your fair treatment and protection.
Continuing education offerings
Enhance your professional competency with WSNA's free online courses.
Earn CNE contact hours through topics like Cultural Humility, Telehealth Assessment, Workplace Violence Prevention, and more. Convenient and self-paced, our courses provide practical knowledge for your daily work. Expand your skills and stay up-to-date with the latest nursing practices.