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By providing a significant wage increase, the newly ratified contract between the Washington State Nurses Association and Skyline Hospital marks an important step towards retaining nurses. Skyline, located in White Salmon, employs around 40 nurses and offers a 24-hour emergency department, general surgery, rehabilitative and other critical services.
By providing a significant wage increase, the newly ratified contract between the Washington State Nurses Association and Skyline Hospital marks an important step towards retaining nurses. Skyline, located in White Salmon, employs around 40 nurses and offers a 24-hour emergency department, general surgery, rehabilitative and other critical services.
WHITE SALMON — Four months and seven bargaining sessions later, the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) and Skyline Hospital officially ratified a new contract on Sept. 24. Previously stalled over wages, WSNA nurses will now get paid enough to compete with comparable hospitals like Adventist Health and Klickitat Valley Health.
An "overwhelming majority" of WSNA nurses signed the contract, which guarantees an 18% wage increase over the next three years, along with several other non-economic changes, according to WSNA's website. For comparison, when Skyline issued its first proposal, the hospital only offered an 11% increase.
“I have not come across any nurses who were displeased with the agreement we came to,” said Gena Martinez, chair of WSNA’s bargaining team. “It was much more than they had hoped for.”
“I think we found the right balance,” said Skyline’s Chief Executive Officer Matt Kollman. “We’re trying to balance multiple needs of the community with our nurses’ needs, staffing needs and sensitivity to the price of medical care. I think we found the right compromise.”
Throughout the process, WSNA nurses advocated to reduce the number of traveling nurses at Skyline, who receive $30 more per hour than the highest-earning staff nurse. According to Kollman, almost all traveling nurses work the night shift, which WSNA nurses struggle to fill.
“We share the union’s opinion that travelers are not ideal, but they’re often necessary,” he said.
While the two sides were negotiating, however, Skyline hired three more staff nurses. The new contract also provides an additional $7 per hour for staff nurses working nights, on top of their normal pay, which should help reduce Skyline’s dependency on travelers in the long term.
Separate from the contract, Martinez initiated a “cheer peer” program where longtime WSNA nurses take new nurses under their wing, serving as a confidante and mentor to help them feel welcomed in a new environment. The program, like the new contract, serves the same purpose: Retaining nurses at Skyline by demonstrating they’re valued.
Since WSNA’s bargaining team had to work while negotiations were ongoing, Martinez said it was stressful for everyone involved, but she appreciated that Skyline’s administration was responsive.
“Each time we met, there were no raised voices. People listened, people took notes, people tried to understand where each other was coming from, and that was a shared experience,” she said. “In the end, it made us all closer once it was over with.” Martinez also noted she was grateful for support from the community and the Board of Directors.
“This community is so fortunate to have talented, committed people working at Skyline and providing healthcare,” said Kollman. “We’ve got wonderful workers who are very invested in caring for this community, and it’s a pleasure to work with them.”
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