Our world is a pretty chaotic place, and so much feels out of our control. I’m grateful for the work we do at WSNA, which reminds me that each of us has the power to make a difference. Together, we fight for fair wages, better health care coverage, and hold management accountable. Nursing is incredibly rewarding, and incredibly difficult. It is an honor to support all of you as chair.

The more of us that belong to this bargaining unit, the stronger our message is to management. I want to thank all of you for putting your hard-earned money, time, and energy into this work. Our strength comes from our unity.

If you want to get more connected and involved in this work, reach out. Whether you are a great conflict resolver, want to lead your department as a unit representative, or could give a couple of hours a month telling newly hired nurses about the benefits of the union, your skills would be welcome.

In Solidarity,

Suzanna Avery and Natasza Lorentz

Chair and Co-Chair

This site is a great way to be active in WSNA and to find out all the updates. Make sure to check online for updates on negotiations and to be able to find your contract.

Online Staffing Complaint form – use it! This online staffing complaint/ADO form was developed by a coalition that included WSNA, SEIU, UFCW and WSHA representatives. Completing the form serves many purposes, including data tracking, bring issues to light, supportive documentation, and discussion tool to make things better. It is not punitive. This form is to be completed for issues including but not limited to:

• Missed breaks or earned time denied
• In the event of equipment issues or system failure If you have reason to complete this form, you first should speak with your manager or charge nurse for that shift in order to try to resolve the concern as quickly as possible.
• The unit is not staffed according to its staffing plan or if mid-shift staffing adjustments are inadequate. (In order to know if your unit is not staffed according to its staffing plan, you must first know what the staffing plan for you unit is. Staffing plans, including nursing and unlicensed staff, are required to be posted on every unit.)

When you complete the online form, you are encouraged to include your manager’s name and email. After you complete the form a copy of the submitted form immediately goes to you, the WSNA chair, WSNA Representative and your manager, provided you have entered his or her email. The Nurse Staffing Committee will review the complaint at their next meeting, if it is a staffing concern. The Nurse Conference Committee will review the other complaint at their next meeting if it is not a staffing concern.

The link to the Staffing Complaint/ADO form can be downloaded and saved onto your personal cell phone so that it is available all the time. To access the form, go to http://www.wsna.org/union/ado for more information and both the online and downloadable form.

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Don’t miss WSNA’s popular labor training event at Campbell’s Resort in Chelan, Washington. Nurses from across the state will convene to get an update on the national and state labor scenes, to learn how to be more effective leaders in our own workplaces, to celebrate our successes, and to strategize for what’s coming next.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity! We, your Local Unit Officers are looking for 15 nurses who are interested in learning more about leadership opportunities and participation at the local unit level. These 15 spots will be offered on a first come, first served basis so don’t delay!

March 29-31 at Campbells Resort in Lake Chelan

The conference is FREE!

Mileage, and 1 night at Campbell’s Resort will be reimbursed by your local unit officers from local unit funds.

You may be eligible for professional leave under the contract.

Your Local Union is going to sponsor 2-3 RNs to this leadership conference. Reach out to your officers or nurse rep if you are interested.