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OLYMPIA, WA: A last minute amendment added to a bipartisan patient safety bill (SHB 1155) in the State Senate exempts Washington’s 40 “critical access hospitals” in rural areas from statewide standards, impacting thousands of patients, nurses, and technicians.
Apr 22, 2019
The state Department of Labor and Industries on April 11 cited and fined St. Joseph Medical Center Tacoma $14,400 for safety violations related to a series of attacks on nurses at the hospital. L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health launched an investigation at the request of WSNA after a patient in the psychiatric unit assaulted numerous nurses in October 2018. The patient threatened to kill, punched, kicked and scratched staff members, inflicting serious injuries.
Apr 19, 2019
CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS BACKGROUND WSNA-represented registered nurses at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma have been in contract negotiations for seven months. WSNA and St. Joe’s have held 12 negotiating sessions to date, the last two with a federal mediator. The 13th session is scheduled for March 22.
Mar 19, 2019
Thursday, March 21, 8-11 a.m.: Informational picket calling on St. Joe’s to put nurse and patient safety before profits. St. Joseph Medical Center, corner of South J and South 19th streets, near the Emergency Room
Mar 19, 2019
Nurses say it is time for Providence Sacred Heart to put nurse and patient safety before corporate profits. That’s why hundreds of registered nurses, patients and supporters are rallying together in the cold and calling on Providence to listen to Sacred Heart nurses.
Feb 25, 2019
The Washington State Nurses Association is deeply disappointed in the ruling of a federal district court in Texas v. Azar, that found the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional.If the Texas judge’s decision on the Affordable Care Act is allowed to stand, millions of Americans will have their health, their financial security and even their lives put at risk.
Dec 18, 2018
We strongly condemn the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn 40 years’ worth of precedent in the Janus v. AFSCME case by making fair share fees for public sector employees unconstitutional.
Jun 27, 2018
SEATTLE – The Washington State Nurses Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Joelle Fathi, DNP, RN, ARNP, as Director of Nursing Practice and Health Policy. In this role, Fathi will develop WSNA’s nursing practice programmatic activities and other mechanisms that improve patient care standards and advance the practice of nursing through regulation, public policy and education.
Oct 10, 2017
Here in Washington state, many nursing students and working nurses are training and caring for patients thanks to their DACA status. We value what these students and nurses contribute to creating better health outcomes for everyone. The research on this is clear: Patients tend to receive better quality care when health professionals mirror the ethnic, racial and linguistic backgrounds of their patients. We join the American Nurses Association in calling on Congress to work together to find a compassionate, bipartisan solution that respects the humanity of every individual affected by the President’s recent decision to rescind the executive action for those with DACA status.
Sep 8, 2017
The Washington State Nurses Association joins the American Nurses Association, the Utah Nurses Association and registered nurses across the country in expressing outrage over the treatment of a registered nurse in Utah who was handcuffed and arrested by a police officer for following her hospital’s policy and the law.
Sep 1, 2017
OLYMPIA – (May 8, 2017) The state’s leading organizations representing nurses and hospitals today applauded Governor Jay Inslee’s signing of the Patient Safety Act, a collaborative effort to strengthen nurse staffing committees and staffing plans for nurses in hospitals across the state.
May 8, 2017
On May 4, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act, repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act. Washington State Nurses Association Executive Director Judy Huntington, MN, RN, made the following statement opposing the legislation.
May 5, 2017
The Washington State Nurses Association applauds the legislature for passing the Patient Safety Act today, addressing WSNA’s top issue of safe staffing. The bill creates greater transparency and accountability for nurse staffing plans and the work of nurse staffing committees in hospitals.
Apr 20, 2017
Washington State Nurses Association Executive Director Judy Huntington, MN, RN: "President Trump’s executive order to ban travel and immigration to the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries, including refugees fleeing violence, is antithetical to the purpose of the Washington State Nurses Association and threatens nursing’s ability to meet the health care needs of our patients."
Feb 3, 2017
The Washington State Nurses Association Board of Directors announced today that they have selected Washington state nursing leader Sally Watkins, Ph.D., MS, RN, to be the new WSNA Executive Director, replacing Judy Huntington, MN, RN, who is retiring in June after 18 years in the position. Dr. Watkins will join WSNA April 3, 2017.
Jan 25, 2017
MultiCare challenged to invest in patient care and stop unfair labor practices More than 730 Registered Nurses say MultiCare’s Tacoma General Hospital has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into market share expansion at the expense of patient care. The hospital’s overall safety grade has continued to decline since 2013 when it received an overall grade of A. The hospital’s safety rating has since been downgraded to an overall ranking of C this fall.
Dec 13, 2016
The Washington State Nurses Association is pleased to announce that we have reached a groundbreaking settlement of our lawsuit concerning meal and rest break violations against Franciscan Health System d/b/a St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma. Under the terms of the settlement, St. Joseph will pay nurses $5 million in back pay for missed meal and rest breaks. St. Joseph also will establish a “block break relief” system to ensure that nurses are afforded uninterrupted rest periods, and the hospital committed to hiring an additional 26 break relief nurses to safely care for patients while other nurses take their rest and meal breaks.
Dec 6, 2016
TACOMA -- (Nov. 14, 2016) The WSNA-represented nurses at Tacoma General Hospital head back into mediation tomorrow demanding that the hospital address the severe, chronic staffing concerns that imperil patient safety at the hospital. Management’s deceptive “bargaining summary” prompts new Unfair Labor Practice charge. “No Voluntary Overtime, No Voluntary Extra Shifts” job action, which started Nov. 10, is having an impact, with nurses reporting receiving hundreds of text messages over the weekend begging them to come in.
Nov 14, 2016
TACOMA – (Nov. 7, 2016) After 11 months at the bargaining table, the registered nurses at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital will not take voluntary overtime or extra shifts Nov. 10-17. This concerted union action is in response to MultiCare’s ongoing illegal actions against the nurses, as well as its refusal to address staffing issues and break coverage in a way that supports the safe care of patients at the hospital.
Nov 7, 2016
SEATTLE -- (Oct. 25, 2016) After more than 15 hours at the negotiation table on Oct. 20, the WSNA-represented nurses at Seattle Children’s and hospital management reached a tentative agreement on a 3-year contract. The tentative agreement includes wage hikes of 10 percent over three years, overtime pay for nurses in outpatient clinics, paid parental leave and more.
Oct 25, 2016
1,455 RNs call for better nurse staffing to provide safe, high quality care
Sep 12, 2016
TACOMA -- (Sept. 8, 2016) The WSNA-represented registered nurses at Tacoma General Hospital rallied in Tacoma’s Wright Park today to demand that MultiCare Tacoma General leadership address the patient safety and staffing issues they continue to raise in contract negotiations.
Sep 8, 2016
It’s time to take our community hospital back!The registered nurses at Yakima Regional are here for our community, and we always will be. Many of us remember what it was like when the owners of Yakima Regional really cared about this community. Like you, we want that back.
Jul 22, 2016
I am writing to support the proposed rule [RIN: 2900-AP44 - Proposed Rule - Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (81 Fed. Reg. 33155, May 25, 2016)] which takes an important step in allowing our nation’s veterans direct access to high quality health care delivered by APRNs (nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists and certified nurse midwives).
Jul 13, 2016
SEATTLE – (July 8, 2016) The registered nurses at the University of Washington Medical Center voted by a significant majority to add Fair Share Membership language to the collective bargaining agreement that covers the 1,600 registered nurses who work there.
Jul 11, 2016
TACOMA -- (June 27, 2016) Hundreds of nurses, labor leaders and community members gathered today for an informational picket and rally for the 730+ registered nurses at MultiCare Tacoma General. The nurses are fighting for a fair contract that will support safe patient care. Chanting “Patients before Profits!” the picketers lined Martin Luther King Jr. Way in front of the Hospital.
Jun 27, 2016
TACOMA -- (June 21, 2016) Support is pouring in from labor organizations, elected leaders and individuals for the registered nurses at MultiCare Tacoma General and their fight for safe patient care. Over 1,000 individuals have signed petitions calling on Tacoma General to put “Patients before Profits,” and hundreds have added their personal comments.
Jun 21, 2016
The registered nurses of Sacred Heart, represented by the Washington State Nurses Association, will demonstrate their unity in advance of their fourth day of federal mediation by marching through Riverfront Park.
Jun 20, 2016
TACOMA -- (June 15, 2016) Hundreds of nurses and community members are expected at an informational picket for the 730+ registered nurses at MultiCare Tacoma General on June 27, from 2-7 p.m. (speakers and rally from 4-5 p.m.) In the ramp-up to the “Patients before Profits” picket, WSNA is airing hundreds of TV commercials, advertising on social media, and distributing information to thousands of community members and fellow labor unions.
Jun 15, 2016
SPOKANE -- (June 6, 2016) The registered nurses of Sacred Heart, represented by the Washington State Nurses Association, will return to the table on June 7 and 8 for their second and third days of federal mediation in contract negotiations with Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. Updates on progress will be available following the mediation sessions.
Jun 6, 2016
The sale of Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center is of vital importance to the registered nurses who work there and their union, the Washington State Nurses Association. As nurses at the bedside every hour of every day, we have seen first-hand the damaging impacts of CHS’s focus on profits over patients. We would welcome an owner who put patients and the community first.
May 24, 2016
Nursing’s role in solving the state’s mental health crisis will be the top issue at the Washington State Nurses Association’s Nurse Legislative Day on Monday, Feb. 1. With 700 attendees, WSNA hosts the largest lobby day in Olympia.
Feb 1, 2016
RICHLAND, Wash. (Jan. 25, 2016) – By an overwhelming majority, the WSNA-represented registered nurses at Kadlec Regional Medical Center have ratified a new 3-year contract. During nine months of negotiations, the bargaining team fought off a number of damaging proposed take-aways and reached an agreement that supports nurses in giving patients their best each and every day.
Jan 25, 2016
An overwhelming majority – 90 percent of the hundreds of Kadlec RNS who voted tonight – said "yes" in the Strike Advisory Vote WSNA held during two membership meetings. We heard loud and clear that the union nurses at Kadlec, want their bargaining team to continue fighting hard for a fair and respectful contract – and that the nurses will support their team in doing whatever it takes, up to and including a strike.
Dec 7, 2015
Yesterday, Nov. 30, the Washington State Nurses Association bargaining team met with Kadlec management for our twelfth negotiating session. While we were hopeful that an agreement could be reached prior to the contract expiring on Nov. 30, yesterday’s negotiations did not yield an agreement. The WSNA-represented nurses at Kadlec will be holding two meetings on Dec. 7 with additional meetings on Dec 8 to discuss next steps, including a potential Advisory Vote by members on the possibility of a strike.
Dec 1, 2015
The Washington State Nurses Association negotiating team met with Kadlec’s administrative management team November 11, for the tenth negotiation session in these contract talks. There was a lot of discussion, but little movement on the nurses’ key issues of safe nurse staffing levels and benefits, including vacation time and sick leave
Nov 11, 2015
Kadlec Registered Nurses "Patients Before Profits" rally Monday, Nov. 9, 4 to 6 p.m. at John Dam Plaza in Richland.
Nov 6, 2015
PERC preliminary ruling against UW Medical Center
Sep 15, 2015
Advisory for picket-rally at UW Medical Center Sept. 16, 2015
Sep 15, 2015
The Washington State Department of Health has found that Whidbey General Hospital is violating the state’s “Safe Nurse Staffing” law, created in 2008 to ensure that hospitals and nurses work together to develop nurse staffing plans adequate to keep patients safe.
Jul 20, 2015
In response to a recent survey of registered nurses in Washington, the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) is calling on hospitals to take urgent action on four key priority issues to ensure the safety of health care workers, patients and the public. WSNA is advocating for increased training of health care workers, adequate protection of health care workers, practice and drilling on care for a potential Ebola patient, and adoption and dissemination of CDC-recommended guidelines and protocols.
Oct 14, 2014
Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), representing over 400 registered nurses at Providence Holy Family Hospital, is holding an informational picket today from 2 - 6 pm on the corner of Central and Lidgerwood in front of the hospital to highlight issues critical to patient safety and nurse retention during difficult contract negotiations. Nurses at Holy Family have been fighting for patient safety measures such as safe staffing and an adequate preceptorship program for new nurses. A key concern is that the proposed contract will make it difficult to recruit and retain great nurses, directly impacting patient care.
Aug 24, 2014
Nurses and community members gathered at a Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH) board meeting on August 22, 2013 to present a petition to the board calling on them “to treat the nurses fairly and agree to a respectful contract”. The Washington State Nurses Association, representing over 100 nurses at KVH, has been in negotiations with the hospital for over 18 months. Nurses have raised several safety concerns and are also now expressing fear that the lengthy and contentious negotiation process is threatening the hospital’s ability to recruit and retain nurses.
Aug 22, 2013
On April 2, 2013, the Washington State Supreme Court in the case of Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) v. Sacred Heart Medical Center (SHMC), reaffirmed its earlier unanimous decision upholding nurses’ statutory rights to be paid overtime when their duties prevent them from taking a rest period. Sacred Heart Medical Center’s motion for reconsideration of the Court’s October 25, 2012 (No. 86563-9,10/25/12) decision was denied, bringing an end to the long, hard-fought battle of the nurses for justice and protection of patient safety.
Apr 8, 2013
Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), representing over 700 registered nurses at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, is holding an informational picket today to highlight issues critical to patient safety and nurse retention during difficult contract negotiations. Nurses are concerned about patient safety and ensuring that St. Joseph can continue to recruit and retain great nurses. Management has proposed a radical change to the sick time system and drastic benefit cuts.
Mar 26, 2013
Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), representing over one thousand registered nurses at St. Joseph Medical Center, is holding an informational picket to raise concerns about patient safety and welfare. Nurses are concerned that current proposals by management will make it harder to deliver safe patient care. Facing stalled contract negotiations, nurses are now reaching out directly to the public since their care will be at risk.
Mar 20, 2013
Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), representing over 650 registered nurses at Tacoma General Hospital, is holding an informational picket today highlighting issues critical to patient safety and nurse retention during difficult contract negotiations. Nurses at Tacoma General have been fighting to have a meaningful voice on patient care issues and battling devastating retirement benefit cuts at the bargaining table. Nurses are concerned about patient safety and the ability to continue recruiting and retaining great nurses at Tacoma General.
Feb 28, 2013
Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), representing over 700 registered nurses at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham, is holding a rally today to highlight issues critical to patient safety and nurse retention during difficult contract negotiations. Nurses at St. Joseph have been battling against elimination of their sick time and drastic benefit cuts and. Nurses are concerned about patient safety and ensuring that St. Joseph can continue to recruit and retain great nurses.
Feb 6, 2013
In a huge victory for patient safety, the nine justices of the Washington State Supreme Court unanimously upheld nurses’ statutory rights to be paid overtime when their duties prevent them from taking a rest period. In 2007, the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) brought the legal action on behalf of the 1,200 registered nurses at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center (SHMC) in Spokane to recover unpaid wages for denied rest periods.
Oct 26, 2012