So, what exactly is Conference Committee?

This is a group that meets every other month to resolve problems and discuss concerns raised by you the nurse members. Your leadership team and your management team are committed to working together to problem solve things as they develop and improve the working conditions of all of you.

This is also a contractual item and you can find the reference in your contract if you have additional questions or want additional information.

The biggest thing that drives the success of this committee is the on-going communication that comes from each of you at the bedside working every day. A lot of our questions do come up with the ADO or Staffing Concern form. Your online form (Found at www.wsna.org/ado ) also has categories for equipment issues or other things that may occur that impact how you deliver care. What is not appropriate for staffing committee to discuss and resolve is then brought to the conference committee. So, keep the information flowing and we will provide this type of update after we meet with management.

Staffing Update

We are super happy to report that some significant gains are coming out of your staffing committee and your consistency in filing the online ADO / Staffing concern forms. All departments are currently reporting changes in their staff. There will be a new Locum provider in the ONCOLOGY arena by the end of the year. GEN-SURG will be looking to hire a traveler to help with the PHMG clinic and their move to the pavilion. Your new C.N.O. Sharon Rutherford is working tirelessly to obtain a permanent 2-2 position for the emergency department. It should be noted that the volume of ADO submitted that validated the need for the 2-2 nurse was INDISPENSABLE in allowing leadership to even plan for this position. THANK YOU. In addition, the ED will be welcoming some new nurses as well.

ACU/ICU/FLOAT TEAM is looking to fill some positions, but they are looking for good experienced candidates for the float pool and they will also have opportunities to hire travelers to help with staffing.

The per diem nurses list is currently being reviewed as well in order to compile an accurate list of per diems available and able to work and retire those who no longer are working at United. ARC is reporting a higher census consistently. There has been approval for a night aide, and they will have regular people in the FTE positions from now on. They have worked to cross train and also looking for options with agency CNA help. Again, the submission of ADO/ staffing concern forms highlighted the dramatic need for aide help and leadership has responded to those.

Staffing Committee Update

Great strides from the hard-working staffing committee. Many outstanding ADO’s were resolved at this last meeting. Please contact your local unit staffing committee representative if you have particular questions about a concern form you have submitted. The leadership has committed to replacing any per diem positions that are vacated or where a nurse is not longer interested in working in that capacity. This is in an attempt to build a more robust per diem pool.

In the meantime, there have been some concerns expressed about managers doing bargaining unit work. Your leadership team expressed to management that in crisis or unforeseen circumstances, a complaint against a manager stepping in to help their workers would not be pursued. But the committee was charged to have a “surge plan” in place to help anticipate and adjust for those instances.

The last week of August brought about some new Peace Health policies released by corporate and leadership. WSNA has submitted a demand to bargain over these policies. It should be noted that contractually and legally corporate has an obligation to bargain and discuss anything that impacts the wages, hours and working conditions of the nurses represented at United. Unfortunately, to our deep disappointment and despite multiple asks, corporate continues to release policies without notification or discussion with your leadership team and WSNA office representatives.

Your WSNA team is particularly concerned about the release of the “safety absolute” policy which directs breaches of records as warranting a third and final written warning. WSNA feels this is in complete violation of our contractual rights to “Just Cause” which includes the provision of progressive discipline. We have written to corporate asking that this policy be completely rescinded for nurses.

Other affected policies include corporate’s unilateral release of the Travel quarantine policy, the Flu Vaccination updated policy and the changes to the COVID sick bank use. We are actively engaged in discussion with corporate leadership about this issue. Please note these are issues that are not within the control of your local United HR or hospital leadership and the discussions are being held with the corporate decision makers.

Floating

We did discuss the floating to the ARC and the fact that the current orientation process is challenging due to their documentation requirements. We have made an ask of leadership to revisit how to provide training that isn’t as cumbersome or intensive for people who are floating. Leadership will look at this further.

Education

We have submitted a request to have a specific calendar available that shows the availability of all mandatory classes so that nurses can be mindful in scheduling these. Leadership will look into this as well and will address this at the next meeting.

Next Conference Committee Meeting: October 15, 2020

Zak M Thatcher, BSN, RN, CEN, Chair
Shannon Lauder, BSN RN, Co-chair
Robyn G. Tilton, RN, Secretary
Lacen Potter, BSN, RN, CMSRN, CWON, Treasurer
Dyana Mitchell, RN, Membership Coordinator
VACANT – Grievance Officer

Questions? Please email your nurse representative Sue Dunlap at sdunlap@wsna.org or contact one of your local officers.