On September 13, we met for the 11th time with management and provided them with a comprehensive proposal - a proposal that includes every item we are negotiating. We presented it as a “package,” which means that we bundled all of the open issues in a way that, unless management accepted the package in its entirety (spoiler: it did not), the proposals we made on each individual issue would remain intact. We held firm to our proposals to provide safe staffing, meal and rest breaks, workplace safety, student loan repayment, and wages that will help recruit and retain nurses.

The next day, September 14, management came back with their counterproposals about handwashing, virtual nurses, and another disappointing, substandard wage proposal that is less than the average pay of Seattle hospitals and even less than what some Tacoma area hospitals pay.

To everyone who has signed the safety concern petition: we hear you LOUD and CLEAR. With all the support you have shown for this issue, it is indubitably one of the most important things we are fighting for. With that in mind, we have requested and have been waiting patiently for a meeting to discuss safety issues with our new CNO for WEEKS but have faced only nebulous excuses and for the most part silence on their end. Maybe not the best start for someone who is supposed to care about and advocate for us. What are they afraid to hear about safety conditions here?

With the vast and ever-increasing amount of ADOs outlining workplace safety concerns for both nurses and patients at VM, this is not an issue to be taken lightly. We have not ceded, and we have a plan. More to come on safety soon. Get in touch with any member of our negotiation team to help with the efforts. This is an issue that cannot wait!

Management is not making significant movement on the issues that are critical to Virginia Mason nurses. We need every Virginia Mason nurse to step up and make it clear to management that we are all standing with the negotiating team and will do whatever it takes to get VM nurses to stay (and maybe get back to the place where we encourage our friends to apply!). That means wearing the “I’m ready to walk” stickers”, signing the picket pledge, and then getting everyone you know to do the same.

It’s time for CommonSpirit to feel the heat.

For more detailed updates (and to hear about some things that are quietly bubbling under the surface), join us on the weekly Thursday 6 p.m. bargaining team call.

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Ready to Walk

All VM nurses need to sign a picket pledge to indicate that they are willing to picket to show VM/CommonSpirit management that a little money isn’t enough. *While no date has been set* sign to show that you will commit to coming if it’s your day off and that you’ll come before or after work or on your break if you’re working that day (and if you can’t get a break that day, fill out an ADO!). And then proudly wear your “Ready to Walk!” sticker to show your coworkers, your patients, and management that we are serious. We need as many nurses signing the pledge as soon as possible so that the Bargaining Team has a strong understanding of how powerful our picket will be.

Contact any Bargaining Team member or WSNA Organizer Crystal Doll at 206/334.8388 or cdoll@wsna.org if you need to sign or want petitions to get your coworkers to sign.

We have only two more bargaining dates scheduled – and we’re bringing in a federal mediator – September 26-27. Come observe and see what the bargaining team is up against and make sure that Virginia Mason management sees how many nurses are watching, waiting, and making decisions.

We’ll be at a building with security protocols for our next two dates, you must contact Crystal Doll at 206/334.8388 or cdoll@wsna.org  if you’re interested in coming to observe so that your name can be added to Security’s list.

In solidarity,

The Bargaining Team
Kim Adekoya, ER; Sam Asencio, WSNA Treasurer and OR; Martha Bermeo, C8; Hannah Collins-Lewis, C9; Jane Hill Littlejohn, WSNA Chair and Resource Nurse; Art Laycock, IV; Kaylyn Lesser, ER Aaron Persinger, C17; Michael Salters, CCU; Kim Travis-Carter, ED; Donna Watts, Birth Center; Allison Wortman, J5 Recovery

Questions or comments, please contact your Nurse Representative, Barbara Friesen bfriesen@wsna.org or Organizer Crystal Doll at  cdoll@wsna.org.