Background: In April of 2012, University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) management and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) agreed to terms for the 2012-2013 contract year of the parties' collective bargaining agreement, which expires on June 30, 2013. Contract negotiations for a successor agreement are now underway. WSNA represents more than 1400 registered nurses at UWMC.
UWMC Negotiations Team:
| Nancy Dombrowski | Director; UW Labor Relations (Lead Negotiator) |
| Andrew Berg | Labor Relations Specialist; UW Labor Relations |
| Karla Clark | Senior Compensation Consultant for Medical Centers; HR Compensation |
| Catherine Cordner | Nurse Manager, Dermatology Center; UWMC Roosevelt |
| Shelley Deatrick | Nurse Manager, Perioperative-Anesthesia Care Unit; UWMC |
| Becky Hammontree | HR Consultant; UWMC |
| Leslie Hampton | Associate Director, Professional Development, PFCC, Patient Care Services; UWMC |
| A.J. Hartman | Communications Specialist; UW Labor Relations |
| Karen Odle | Assistant Administrator, Patient Care Services; UWMC |
| Grace Parker | Interim Chief Nursing Officer and Associate Administrator, Ambulatory Clinics; UWMC |
| Christine Sampson | Nurse Manager, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; UWMC |
| Sue Theiler | Nurse Manager, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Oral Surgery; UWMC |
| Patty Van Velsir | HR Consultant; UWMC |
This recap details the first session for the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement between UWMC and WSNA.
The parties agreed to a set of ground rules to govern the negotiations sessions during this round of collective bargaining.
WSNA put forth its initial proposal package, which included language affecting premiums as well as hours of work and overtime.
WSNA also put forth its initial wage proposal. WSNA proposed a 2 percent across the board wage increase for 2013 and a 3 percent increase for 2014. Additionally, WSNA proposed changes to steps on the wage scale, including 2-3 percent increases to all steps on the wage scale and increases between steps that currently pay the same wage.
UW Medicine Chief Financial Officer Paul Ishizuka delivered a presentation outlining the current health care environment, detailing the financial situations of UWMC and UW Medicine as a whole. Mr. Ishizuka spoke to the impacts of enduring state and national economic struggles as well implications of the Affordable Care Act, which altogether result in flat or declining utilization, an eroding payer mix, and declining reimbursements.
Paul explained that while UWMC was profitable in fiscal year 2012, it is currently $20 million off budget for fiscal year 2013, contributing to an overall $50 million gap for UW Medicine on the whole.
The next UWMC/WSNA bargaining session is scheduled for May 15.
Prior Negotiation Updates