It’s old news now, but in case you have not heard, SCH allowing RNs to receive the same Juneteenth holiday benefit as the other employees. All RNs working on June 18 (the date the holiday is recognized) will be paid one and one-half time for all hours worked. In addition, all benefits-eligible RNs will receive 8 hours (prorated by FTE) into your annual leave banks during that pay period.

We were disappointed with the employer’s posturing and misrepresentation of WSNA as regards to bargaining for this holiday. It is the union who asked the Employer to bargain and the union who made the proposal. The employer gave us a counter proposal to trade Presidents Day for Juneteenth. We had not yet responded to their counter proposal because we intended to do so on June 11, which was scheduled for further bargaining. On June 11 they decided to give this holiday and we commend them for agreeing to allow the nurses to celebrate this holiday with the other employees. From the responses we have seen thus far, the nurses have seen through the employer’s union-slamming rhetoric.