On March 26, WSNA learned that COVID testing would be required for DAJD and JHS staff that day (and continuing since that time). You union immediately went to work on this, communicating with many individuals at the County and Public Health. These discussions continued Monday and Tuesday. WSNA understands the concerns raised by a COVID outbreak in the jail. We share those concerns with the County. WSNA strongly recommend our members to get vaccinated and support efforts for testing especially during an outbreak. But we also want to protect each individual RN’s autonomy for their healthcare directives.

WSNA’s position is that our nurses should be able to make their own healthcare decisions. Perhaps you are fully vaccinated and were not exposed. Perhaps you show no symptoms. We asked the County to agree that if a nurse refused to be tested, that nurse would not be disciplined. If the County insisted that the nurse quarantine (not work) for 14 days, that RN may use sick leave during that time period.

The morning of March 31, WSNA learned that the County continues to insist on mandatory testing for all staff working with inmates, regardless of vaccination status or symptoms, and they refuse to allow staff to decline testing in lieu of quarantining from work. WSNA is extremely disappointed with the County’s hardline approach. We will continue to push to allow RNs to decline testing and be allowed to quarantine or show a negative test result. Please contact your nurse rep if there is any investigatory meetings or discipline that comes from this issue.

Email your WSNA nurse rep with questions/concerns.