WSNA and your Local Unit Officers continue to receive troubling reports from the Nurses at Seattle Children’s Hospital regarding workplace violence. Some of the concerns that have been brought forward include:

1. Physical assaults
2. Verbal attacks
3. Weapons on campus
4. Insufficient security support
5. Lack of management support
6. Destruction of personal property

Your local unit officers have demanded that Management make workplace safety a top priority. In fact, it is discussed at every Nurse Conference Committee (NCC) meeting. The NCC meeting minutes will be available for you online this upcoming week on the WSNA SCH website. This will ensure that you are up to speed on important issues and what is being done about them.

https://www.wsna.org/union/seattle-childrens-hospital

Article 14.1 Conference Committee (page 31)
https://cdn.wsna.org/assets/local-unit-assets/seattle-childrens-hospital/Seattle-Childrens-Contract-2022-2025.pdf

It is time for Change!

It is time to take a stand on these issues and take action. The WSNA Local Unit Officers will continue to explore all options to address workplace violence and keep the Nurses and Staff safe. Just yesterday, we met with State Representative Liz Berry (Chair of Labor & Workplace Standards Committee) to communicate the gravity of what is happening at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

What can you do?

1. Your ADOs have been instrumental in advocating for workplace safety.  Please continue to submit them. https://www.wsna.org/union/ado
2. Attend Local Unit meetings and activities
3. Become a Local Unit Rep
4. Join a Committee (UBSC, Safety Committee, etc.)
5. Reach out to your Local Unit Officers/WSNA Nurse Rep
6. Follow the WSNA SCH Instagram (sch_wsna) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WSNASeattleChildrens)

The more you know:
https://www.wsna.org/news/2023/essentials-for-healthcare-workplace-violence-prevention
https://www.wsna.org/nursing-practice/workplace-violence

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your Local Unit Officers or WSNA Nurse Representative, Linda Burbank, at lburbank@wsna.org or via telephone at (206) 575-7979 ext. 3131.

In Solidarity,
Kara Yates, Co-Chair
Annika Hoogestraat, Co-Chair
Lindsey Kirsch, Secretary
Stefanie Chandos, Treasurer
Samantha Forte, Grievance Officer
Te’onna Adams, Grievance Officer
Katie Podobnik, Grievance Officer
Therese Hill, Membership Officer
Kelsey Gellner, Social Media Officer