We met with management for our fourth session on April 22.

The hospital provided us with a financial presentation and countered our wage proposal. The hospital proposed that nurses would not get a wage increase until later in October 2025 and to also delay year two and three wage increases until October of each year instead of April.  The first year, the hospital did not take a one-size-fits-all approach but proposed different percentages for each step of the wage scale. The percentages ranged from 1.97% – 6.27%, generally with less of an increase for more senior nurses while some of the lower steps would see more of an increase.   In making its wage proposal, the hospital expressed its goal was to minimize the gap between Whidbey and a comparator hospital, Jefferson. As a result, Whidbey proposed wages that were 5% below Jefferson indicating it did not want to match Jefferson's wages at this time. Not keeping up with area competitors' wages, in part, makes recruiting and retention of nurses more difficult.

The hospital presented a new article that would create a new Paid Sick Leave bank and contract article.  WSNA will need some time to review and analyze the hospital’s proposal.

The hospital continues to reject other economic increases such as a proposal to improve the cost of health insurance, which makes healthcare more affordable for families, improving the retirement package, and other premiums.

Local unit meeting!! Plan to attend one of these meetings:

Your bargaining team will be hosting a local unit meeting on Tuesday, May 13 at the following times. These meetings will be held virtually via MS Teams. Please attend one or more to get further information about ongoing bargaining. Bring your questions and comments for the team.   The sessions will be:

Noon - 1 pm
5 - 6 pm
7:30 - 8:30 pm

Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 294 036 782 550 7
+1 206-485-2614,,390598679# United States, Seattle
(888) 313-0615,,390598679# United States (Toll-free)
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 390 598 679#

In solidarity, Your bargaining team,
Luka Cobb - lukamackay@gmail.com
Gwen Parrick - rsgsparr@whidbey.com
Laura Black - tomnlaura@hotmail.com
Ann Bell - anniebell66@gmail.com
Bonnie Brady - bonnielea@gmail.com

Questions? Contact WSNA Nurse Rep Sara Frey, JD, BSN, RN, at sfrey@wsna.org.