On Friday, November 7, your bargaining team met with management for our third negotiation session. We reached a couple of minor tentative agreements, including adding an option for WSNA PAC deductions and improving how WSNA is notified of new employee contact information. Unfortunately, that’s where the good news ended.

When it came to wages and premiums, management showed us just how far apart we really are.

We made a clear, data-driven proposal that would put Tacoma General nurses ahead of St. Joe’s and make TG a place where nurses want to work and want to stay. Our plan included stronger night shift differentials to reward experience and stop the steady drain of skilled nurses from night shifts across the hospital. We also demonstrated that shift differentials have lost significant value over the last twenty years as wages have risen and differentials have remained stagnant.

Management’s response? They said they’re focused on “remaining competitive.” But their numbers told a different story. Their proposal of 5% in year one, 2% in year two, and 2% in year three would keep TG behind St. Joe’s for the entire contract. Two percent doesn’t even keep up with inflation. That’s not competitive, it’s falling behind.

To make matters worse, management proposed removing the BSN from the education premium. They tried to package that with an increase to $2 per hour for the certification premium, but for most nurses, that would mean losing money overall. They also rejected nearly every increase to premiums and differentials, except for adding a mere 25 cents to the charge nurse premium.

Meanwhile, your bargaining team continued to push for real improvements. We countered management’s rejections from October 29th with proposals that protect nurses and promote fairness. We proposed that progressive guidance level ones (PG1s) not be used for progressive discipline or for denying economic benefits like Candidly or job transfers after one year. We also strengthened evaluation language to ensure that if an RN is denied benefits or growth opportunities, they’ll be told exactly how to improve to regain them.

We stood firm on our proposals protecting STAT and Trauma RNs, and on language ensuring nurses can clock back in early from meal and rest breaks.

We were also joined by our first group of observers this session, and it was powerful. Their presence sent a clear message to management that nurses are united behind this team. Our next negotiation session is on November 25th, and we want you there with us. To sign up to observe, contact Organizer Sam Scholl at SScholl@WSNA.org.

We’ll also hold another Spill the Tea with TJ virtual meeting on November 18 at 2000. Keep an eye out for a text next week with the meeting link.

Your bargaining team is standing strong for a fair contract that respects the skill, dedication, and experience of Tacoma General nurses. Together, we can win it. Wear your WSNA t-shirts on bargaining days and Fridays, and come stand with us at negotiations.

Stronger Together. Always.

Honoring Veterans Day

As we head into Veterans Day, we want to recognize the many nurses who have served our country in uniform and those who continue to serve in our hospitals and communities. Your commitment to caring, on the battlefield and in the nursing field, is part of what makes nursing a calling built on courage and compassion. To all our veteran nurses and military families, thank you for your service and your continued dedication to your patients and colleagues.

In Solidarity,
Therese Juntunen, NTICU
Michelle Stevenson, 5/6 MSICU/PCU
Sarah Huber, Emergency Department
Christina Nicholson, Resource RN
George Murray, NTICU
Marc Jebousek, Emergency Department
Anna Vermaire, Pulse Cardiac Short Stay
Anna Glorioso-Kaufmann, Operating Room
Jaime Cary, Labor and Delivery
Rachel Ballou-Church, Medical Oncology

Questions? Contact one of your officers, one of your bargaining team members, or Nurse Rep Jared Richardson (jrichardson@wsna.org).