Thank you to all who were able to make the unit meetings and update on July 11. Your show of support sends a clear message, and we are grateful to be part of such an impressive team. We were pleased to welcome our attorney, David Campbell, and WSNA Senior Director of Labor Christine Watts to these meetings to share significant items of the negotiations that impact our working conditions.

Updates included management's proposal to take away our EIB benefits, proposals to limit overtime, which impacts FTE employees who want to help by picking up extra shifts, and proposals that will significantly impact the ability of per diems to work at the facility. While management has made some significant movement in a positive manner with language improvements to staffing committee and staffing standards, workplace violence and successorship language (which helps to protect nurses' jobs), it is imperative that the membership show we are united in our stance on our other key issues.

To help your bargaining team at the table in this endeavor, we are asking all of you who can attend to please be at the next open bargaining session on July 19 at the HEC beginning at 9 a.m. The room will be posted at the front door of the HEC. You may attend part or all of the day according to your ability. Your presence sends a clear and direct message that you support your team as they bargain on behalf of all the nurses for the best contract. When we are in session, a notice will be posted on the door asking that you wait until a break in talks to enter.

For those of you who cannot attend, we have a simple ask to demonstrate support. Please "button up", particularly on July 19, but it is also helpful every day! Wearing a WSNA button is a quick, simple, easy way to show our solidarity and management does take notice. It should be noted that wearing a button is permitted by labor law and should not be questioned. If you are asked to remove the button by management, please do so but note what was said and by whom so you can alert a negotiating team member or one of your officers immediately. Buttons are readily available on each unit. Please ask your unit representative or a local unit officer.

We look forward to seeing you July 19!

In solidarity,
Sarah M. Newell, RN Local Unit Chair
Geraldine R. Falacy, RN Secretary
Michelle Leidal, RN Treasurer
Rhonda L. Tull, RN Grievance Officer
Susannah P. Ribeiro, RN Co-Communication Officer
Laura A. Bayes, RN Co- Membership Coordinator
Arlene L. Copps, RN Co- Membership Coordinator
Tracy E. Pullar, RNC Safety Officer

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Sue Dunlap, MSN, RN, COS-C at sdunlap@wsna.org.