On Monday, August 12, the Wound Care RN MOU was passed unanimously! We're thrilled to welcome Lexie Pando, Christina Leetz, and Paula Gardner into our WSNA Union. They are now able to be placed on our wage scale (resulting in raises from 11-19%!), and have a voice at the workplace. If you see them on the floor, make sure to congratulate them!

Staffing Committee Observers Hold VM Accountable

Our staffing committee meeting on Monday was the first meeting since President Monica Hilt proposed staffing cuts in the name of "financial sustainability". We're incredibly grateful to the 30+ observers that attended our most recent staffing committee meeting to hold management accountable and keep the committee transparent. Observers used the Zoom background pictured below to tell VM that these proposed staffing cuts are unacceptable to us, our patients, and the community we serve. Staffing committee meetings are the second Monday of the month from 1100-1400. If you'd like to join future meetings, let an officer or your nurse rep know and we'll send you the link.

Staffing committee member and WSNA Co-Chair Hannah Collins-Lewis read a powerful statement that came from the nursing staff on the committee, saying "the nursing staff stands by our original proposal and we unequivocally reject the proposal presented at our last meeting. This proposal from Monica Hilt and CommonSpirit may meet the goals of 'financial sustainability' for 2025, but we urge this organization to think beyond profits and focus its aim where it truly matters most – delivering quality care for our community in a safe, well-staffed work environment where nursing staff do not just survive, but thrive and stay with us for years to come."

Keep the ADOs Coming!

This past year, we've received over 750+ ADOs. Every time you fill out an ADO, you are protecting your license and keeping your staffing committee informed of the issues across the hospital so that we can work with VM to create a staffing plan that allows us to give the best patient care possible.

We have received several reports of managers or directors putting adverse pressure on nurses who are filing ADOs, especially those related to breaks and meals.  Per the staffing law, A hospital may not retaliate against or engage in any form of intimidation or otherwise take any adverse action against a nurse who notifies the hospital staffing committee or the hospital administration of his or her concerns on nurse staffing. It is okay for management to ask a nurse about details of the situation that led to a filing of the ADO however, they may not intimidate or retaliate or discourage you from filing more. If you feel your manager is intimidating or retaliating against you for filing ADOs, please notify your Nurse Representative Sara Frey immediately at sfrey@wsna.org.

In addition to filing ADOs, we are also encouraging nurses to file complaints with the following agencies when they have concerns about staffing including missed breaks/meals. If you submit a complaint to one of the agencies below, please make a note of it in your ADO:

To report a complaint to the WA DOH about a healthcare facility:
 https://doh.wa.gov/about-us/file-complaint

To report a PATIENT safety concern to The Joint Commission:  
https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/patient-safety-topics/report-a-patient-safety-concern-or-complaint/

To report missed meals or rest breaks:  
https://secure.lni.wa.gov/wagecomplaint/#/

Join the Welcoming Committee! 

If you want to help welcome new nurses into our union, consider joining the welcoming committee! Nurses on the Welcoming Committee are able to talk to new employees at the end of their orientation about WSNA and their rights as a union nurse. Currently, orientation for new nurses is in person at the Franciscan Educational and Support Center (FESK) in Tacoma on Mondays at 4:30. If you're interested in being a part of this committee, please reach out to WSNA Organizer Grace LaMonte at glamonte@wsna.org.

Questions? Please contact one of your local unit officer, nurse representative Sara Frey sfrey@wsna.org or organizer Grace LeMonte GLaMonte@wsna.org.

In solidarity,
Chair - Hannah Collins-Lewis
Vice Chair - Michael Salters
Secretary - Kimberly Travis-Carter
Treasurer - Samuel Asencio
Grievance Officer - Donna Watts
Grievance Officer - Aaron Persinger
Grievance Officer - Kim Adekoya
Staffing Co-Chair – Nicole Vernon
WSNA Organizer Grace LaMonte, glamonte@wsna.org
WSNA Nurse Rep Sara Frey, sfrey@wsna.org