Yesterday, Jan. 27, your bargaining team met with management for an abbreviated bargaining session. With so many critical issues on the table, we are determined to use every moment wisely to secure the best possible contract for all of us. In just four hours, we achieved significant progress, reaching tentative agreements (TAs) on several major economic, equity, and workplace improvement issues.

Key Wins from Yesterday's Bargaining Session

• Full Credit for International Experience
• We secured a TA to end the unfair practice of granting only 50% credit for RN experience gained outside the U.S. and Canada. Nurses at St. Clare’s affected by this policy will now receive full credit for their experience and be placed on the appropriate step of the wage scale. If you are a nurse who has been affected by this practice contact Jared Richardson at JRichardson@WSNA.org.
• Wage Increases
  • A TA was reached to align wages at St. Clare’s with those at St. Joe’s, making our nurses some of the highest-paid in the region and the highest paid at the top of the scale. . Wage increases will be as follows:
    • Year 1: 4.5% increase plus an additional $1.50 per step on the wage scale.
    • Year 2: 4% increase.
    • Year 3: 4% increase.
• Premiums and Shift Differentials:
  • Shift Differentials: $3/hour for mid-shift and $5.50/hour for night shift.
  • Standby Pay: Increased to $6/hour, matching St. Joe’s and Tacoma General.
  • Preceptor Pay: Increased to $2/hour—a 75% increase!
  • Weekend Premium: Raised to $4/hour.
• New Hospital Resource Pool Premium
  • We are excited to announce a brand-new premium for nurses working in the Hospital Resource Pool. Nurses who sign up for HRP shifts will earn an additional $5/hour for all hours worked during those shifts.
• Other Tentative Agreements Include:
  • Resetting the 3-hour minimum pay period for on-call nurses every time they’re called in during a shift.
  • Compensating nurses for handling inquiries while on standby or on their day off.
  • Eliminating the policy that required Resident Nurses to repay training costs if they resign.

What’s Left to Negotiate

While we’ve made remarkable progress, a few critical issues remain including:

• Adding break nurse FTEs across the hospital to ensure compliance with rest and meal breaks.
• Establishing an Equity and Justice Committee to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at St. Clare’s.
• Clarifying and enforcing standby/call policies, including ensuring the employer complies with scheduling laws and offers appropriate incentives for open call shifts.

One Last Day of Bargaining Before Contract Expiration

Our bargaining team meets with management for a full day of negotiations on Thursday, January 30, at FESC—just one day before the contract expires on February 1, 2025. We are committed to resolving these final issues, but we need your support to demonstrate our unity and determination.

How You Can Help

Stand with us by observing negotiations and showing management that all 300 of us at St. Clare’s are united in our demands for a fair contract. Contact your nurse representative, Jared Richardson, at JRichardson@WSNA.org if you’re interested in attending.

In solidarity,

Clair Korrell, Co-Chair  
Devon Tallman, Co-Chair  
Savvy Baily, Interim Treasurer  
Jessica Cook, Co-Secretary  
Nikki Wright, Co-Secretary  
Erin Stoner, Grievance Officer  
Tiffany Stephansky, Grievance Officer  
Brandi Poggemann, Membership Officer  
Molly McKinney, Membership Officer