Nurses Week raffle update

We were sad to have to cancel the Nurses Week dinner. However, we did the prize drawing. Congratulations to the winners and all who participated!

SueAnne Brent (KCCF)- Salish Lodge and Spa Stay

Mike Zdevcky (MRJC)- Fit Bit Versa 3

Lauren Greenfield (Childcare Chinook) Daniel's Broiler $50 Gift card

Lora VanderWeil (KCCF) Spa Finder $50 gift card

Shannie Chai (Auburn Vax) Tutta Bella $50 gift card

Evelyn Oen (KCCF) Molly Moon $15 gift card

Alissa White (Chinook) Chipotle $15 gift card

Julie Shaup (KCCF) Chipotle $15 gift card

Negotiation kick-off

We plan to kick off negotiations on Sept. 10 with a picnic. The place and time are yet to be determined. Watch for more information and save the date.

Midterm negotiation update

WSNA has been advocating and negotiating for you to add two holidays, Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples Day, and the wage increase of 1.25% and recognition bonus that the Coalition of Unions got. We finally heard back from the county on May 20 after almost six months of bargaining. The county was clearly in no hurry. We declined because the county demanded too many takeaways to provide the wage increase. We will address these items in full negotiations at the end of the year. The county will be required to add Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples Day without any other takeaways or changes to your holiday language at this time.

Safety and Security Downtown

WSNA met with Megan Pedersen (King County Office of Labor Relations Director) and Whitney Abrams (Chief People Officer) from the King County Executive’s office about safety in the downtown area and parking. The Executive’s office is very engaged and has made this a high-priority project. Their goal is to make the central campus a welcoming space where every person can thrive with no violent crimes or injuries. The county has added staff to patrol and service this area. They will be hiring a project manager to oversee and collect data.

- Resources and projects that have been started

1. Bicycle patrol started 3/21 (7am-5 pm, M-F)
2. Security officer assigned to KCCH to conduct exterior perimeter patrols of the downtown campus
3. Building Operations--trash and general clean-up daily including Yesler underpass (morning hours); pressure washing three times a week. Custodial staff on call during business hours to respond to incidents.
4. Security escort program
5. Walking bus program
6. King Street Center - adjusting security staffing to 3 assigned officers
7. King Street Center- exterior clean-up daily- pressure washing 3x a week.
8. City Hall Park Behavioral Health Crisis Response Team: 206-537-3770 (CHPNO@kingcounty.gov)

We provided feedback that there are still concerns, even with these measures, around bus routes and security escorts to your car or bus stop. We welcome your feedback. Please complete this form so that we can provide more feedback to the county. https://forms.office.com/r/3ByV6CFxGJ

Payroll change

Effective 1/1/22, all employee groups completed the move to a biweekly payroll schedule with this transition complete, King County plans to move the deferred compensation payroll deduction frequency from 24 paychecks to 26 paychecks, consistent with PERS deductions.

Continued Education JHS

An issue arose in JHS regarding how continuing education hours were being calculated. The jail’s method was not consistent with the current contract language. To ensure that the contract is followed, for 1.0 FTEs, JHS will award the full number of hours. Anyone working less than a 1.0 FTE will be prorated by hours worked the previous year. This language will be further discussed and negotiated in the next full contract negotiations.

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Michelle Moore, BSN, RN at mmoore@wsna.org.