The WSNA Labor Executive Council (LEC) has authorized voting electronically on the question of strike authorization. All members in good standing (that is, current dues-paying members) will receive a unique online ballot to the same email address on file with WSNA at 0000 (midnight) on 12/21. Voting will close on 12/22 at 1 pm.

If you do not receive a ballot at midnight on 12/21, please check your junk and spam email. If you still don’t see a ballot, email schstrike@wsna.org and someone will follow up with you.

If you need assistance with online voting, or have questions about the strike authorization vote, WSNA staff will be available as outlined below to assist – you’ll be able to complete your online ballot there. In-person assistance will be available. If you are not a WSNA member, Join HERE!

IN-PERSON Voting Locations

• SCH Auditorium

Sunday 12/21 8 AM-8 PM

Monday 12/22 6:30 AM-NOON

• Laurelhurst Park

Sunday 12/21 NOON-6 PM

Monday 12/22 6:30 AM-1 PM

Electronic/Online Voting

• Online Sunday 12/21 0000 (Midnight) - Monday 12/22 1 PM

Bargaining priorities for a FAIR CONTRACT 

• Nurse and Patient Safety: With depleted sick leave banks, Seattle Children’s nurses are fighting for enough sick time that they can stay home to heal when they are victims of workplace violence and to protect their fragile patients from contagious illness. They are also fighting for premiums that will recruit and retain experienced nurses in hard-to-fill roles like night shift and behavioral safety trained positions, where a lack of experience can impact patient and nurse safety.
• Industry Leader with Sub-Market Pay: SCH is among the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the country. Yet, they pay their nurses 10-40% less than other West Coast Pediatric Hospitals. Management’s current proposal would leave it far behind Mary Bridge Hospital in Tacoma and OHSU Doernbecher at many levels of experience, a circumstance that would have horrified earlier generations of Seattle Children’s leadership who were determined to be an industry leader in the state. The nurses are fighting for wages that would make them competitive with other pediatric hospitals and allow nurses to live where they work.
• Rest and Meal Breaks: Nurses are fighting to preserve and protect nurses’ ability to take work-free rest and meal breaks. Missed breaks are commonplace, and nurse and patient safety demand that nurses get uninterrupted time to rest, hydrate, and eat.
• Unfair Labor Practices: WSNA has filed several unfair labor practice charges against Seattle Children’s for threatening retaliation against union supporters, refusing to allow nurses with children to observe bargaining, and unilaterally changing working conditions. These actions are potential violations of federal labor law and disrespect Seattle Children’s nurses as they work to reach a fair agreement that honors the exceptional care Seattle Children’s nurses bring to their patients and the community.

Upcoming Mediation Dates (Next Monday/Tuesday)

When: December 22 and 23 (tentatively for December 23) 9 am start time

Where: 1916 Boren Ave, Seattle, WA

Come observe! Bring your badge, your lunch, and wear your WSNA Blue.

We are STRONGER TOGETHER!

Strike Workgroups

Strike workgroups and committees are typically established and discussed during an in-person strike vote. To better harness the enthusiasm and support from everyone willing to contribute, we are now introducing virtual sign-ups for workgroups.

• Please feel free to share this link with other WSNA nurses in your unit!
• You don’t need to be a strike captain to lend a hand.

Once we gauge the level of interest, we will arrange times for the workgroups to meet

Here is a link to the sign-up form for workgroups

SCH Strike Workgroups – Fill out form

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