WSNA has negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding which deals with the current OR closures and potential lack of work. The MOU applies to all nurses affected by the OR closure. The MOU provides for several things. First, it allows nurses to work at other facilities as Children’s employees and identifies some expectations around that work. This is limited to only certain departments who are providing support for patients who are having surgeries at several other area hospitals. WSNA has been asked several times about whether or not nurses need insurance when they do this. WSNA highly recommends that ALL nurses carry liability insurance at ALL times. Most insurances provide liability coverage, licensure defense coverage and HIPAA coverage.

The MOU provides that nurses will have a guarantee of work or pay if no work is available. In order to take advantage of this provision, one must accept assigned work. The hospital must adhere to floating language in the contract such as the training language. If a nurse turns down the other work, then he or she can utilize their no-pay protection bank if available and are part of the plan, can elect to not be paid at all or may use his or her annual leave.

Finally, per diems will be guaranteed at least 16 hours of work or if no work is available, will be paid per above. This is per pay period.

Please read the MOU for full details. It is posted on this site under contracts and documents or you can use the button below.

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Sara Frey, JD, BSN, RN at sfrey@wsna.org or 206-575-7979, ext. 3039.