October 17, 2025

On Thursday and Friday, we held two bargaining sessions for the week.

The bargaining teams engaged in productive discussions and exchanged proposals on increased wages and other items.

Children’s is pleased to report the teams reached tentative agreements on:

• Definitions
• Seniority
• A new section of the contract covering technology

In another positive development, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) approved an exception, allowing the mediator to assist negotiations during the government shutdown. The mediator joined Friday's bargaining session.

Children’s appreciates WSNA’s efforts and active engagement and is committed to continuing this progress together in an effort to reach a contract as quickly as possible.

October 8, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for the 19th day of negotiations to work toward a new contract.

Seattle Children’s presented proposals on:

• Annual Leave, agreeing in substance with WSNA’s proposal to maintain the current language
• Medical and Insurance Benefits, agreeing to maintain a separate benefit package for nurses, including maintaining the current language guaranteeing that Children’s would continue to pay nurses’ premiums
• Leaves of Absence, agreeing to apply Children’s Bereavement Policy to nurses and agreeing to all other aspects of WSNA’s proposal, excluding additional paid leave related to workplace injuries.

WSNA presented counterproposals on 4 of the 21 outstanding items, including Floating, On-Call Pay and new floating premiums. WSNA also discussed Compensation, but did not make a new proposal.

As previously reported, Seattle Children’s offered to sign tentative agreements on different items related to Seniority as the parties were fully aligned on language, but WSNA declined to move forward unless Children’s also agreed to additional items around Floating that remain in dispute.

The parties’ next scheduled bargaining session is Thursday, October 16.

October 7, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for the 18th day of negotiations to work toward a new contract.

Children’s presented proposals on all outstanding items they were responsible for responding to, including compensation, leaves of absence and workplace violence.

Children’s moved the parties closer on the workplace violence and leaves of absence proposals by accepting several of WSNA’s proposals and withdrawing areas of disagreement.

Regarding compensation, Children’s increased its proposal and agreed to WSNA’s restructured pay scale. Children’s requested additional agreement on other outstanding items.

WSNA also provided a new package proposal for annual leave, medical and insurance benefits and leaves of absence. Children’s committed to providing a response to WSNA’s proposal during our next bargaining session.

Children’s also encouraged WSNA to provide responses on outstanding articles it is still reviewing.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for today, October 7, 2025. Seattle Children’s appreciates WSNA’s collaboration during yesterday’s session.

September 30, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for the 17th day of negotiations to work toward a new contract.

WSNA presented counterproposals on areas including pay increases, seniority and workplace violence prevention.

In response to WSNA’s bargaining efforts, Seattle Children’s presented comprehensive counterproposals on union membership and dues, employment practices and seniority, with a strong desire to move negotiations forward. Children’s focused on these areas in an attempt to reach tentative agreements on several outstanding items, while also reiterating its commitment to the negotiations process.

Seattle Children’s and WSNA both acknowledged their efforts towards reaching a deal and agreed to extend the terms of the existing contract through Nov. 7, 2025.

Provided that a complete tentative agreement is reached by Nov. 7, Seattle Children’s will pay all bargaining unit nurses a ratification bonus to recognize their wage increases under the current contract for all hours worked since Sept. 1.

As part of the extension agreement, additional bargaining dates were agreed upon in October and November with the next date being Oct. 6.

September 25, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for the 16th day of negotiations to work toward a new contract.

Seattle Children’s presented its fourth proposal of guaranteed pay increases, which includes larger increases than its previous proposal and brings the wage package closer to WSNA’s proposal. Children’s significantly modified the structure of its proposal to accommodate WSNA’s requests to allow nurses to reach the top level more quickly and focus wage increases in the early years of a nurse’s career.

Seattle Children’s has greatly improved retention rates over the past several years. For example, for nursing positions represented by WSNA June 2022 represented a high point for turnover with a rate of 22% while the June 2025 rate was almost half that at 11.7%. Children’s is committed to keeping retention a priority and under the newest proposal:

• Nurses reach the top of the wage grid at year 30 – 7 years sooner than current contract language.
• Children’s agreed to WSNA’s proposed top rate of pay, upon contract ratification, of $90.35.
• Nurses would receive an average increase of $9.16 over the life of the contract, totaling an average 15% pay raise over three years.

Both Children’s and WSNA expressed a desire to narrow the outstanding issues on the table and reach an agreement. To that end, there were productive discussions about leaves of absence and seniority, including clarifying existing language and not removing or changing any guarantees to nurses.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for Monday, September 29.

September 25, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for the fifteenth day of negotiations to work toward a new contract.

Throughout the day, Children’s and WSNA exchanged proposals on several outstanding items related to pay increases and other benefits. Children’s presented counterproposals on employment practices and seniority, while WSNA presented counterproposals on other items, including compensation and workplace violence prevention.

The next bargaining session is Sept. 25. Children’s is committed to working collaboratively with WSNA to reach an agreement as quickly as possible.

September 23, 2025

Tomorrow marks the fifteenth day of negotiations to work toward a new contract. There are two additional bargaining sessions scheduled for Sept. 25 and Sept. 29, before the contract extension expires on Sept. 30.

In addition to the five bargaining days that Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) aligned on, Children's offered several additional bargaining dates – Sept. 17, Sept. 25 and Sept. 30 – and WSNA accepted only Sept. 25.

Children’s has requested multiple times – formally and informally – to bring the assigned Federal Mediator, whose role as a neutral party is to help both parties reach an agreement and avoid a work stoppage. To date, WSNA has not agreed for the Mediator to join the negotiations to help expedite the process. We encourage WSNA to use the Mediator to reach a fair agreement as quickly as possible.

Children’s remains committed to bargaining in good faith, and our priority is to reach a fair, reasonable agreement that supports both nurses and the patients we serve. We do not want a strike or work stoppage that could disrupt patient care.

Like other healthcare systems across Washington and children’s hospitals nationally, we are navigating financial challenges and uncertainty, including federal and state funding cuts and taxes. Despite these headwinds, Children’s remains committed to meaningful market-based pay increases for nurses while preserving our ability to provide compassionate care for all children in the region, regardless of their families’ ability to pay.

September 19, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for the fourteenth day of negotiations to work toward a new contract.

Throughout the day, Children’s and WSNA exchanged proposals regarding wage increases and other issues important to both WSNA and the hospital. Children’s presented a new wage proposal that includes increases for all nurses and aims to address several of WSNA’s concerns and requests.

Children’s also presented its Workplace Violence Prevention proposal, which includes much of WSNA’s language and concepts.

Additionally, Children’s delivered a new Hours of Work proposal that brought the parties closer and included additional language to strengthen nurses' contractual guarantee to receive their meal and rest breaks.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for September 24, 2025. Seattle Children’s is committed to working collaboratively with WSNA to reach an agreement as quickly as possible.

September 09, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for the thirteenth day of negotiations to work toward a new contract.

Much of the day’s discussions focused on guaranteed pay raises for nurses. Seattle Children’s explained in detail how its economic proposal provides an average 14% increase over three years.

• Under our proposal, all nurses receive an immediate pay increase, the first full pay period following ratification.
• They would also be entitled to a bonus for Sept. that is contingent upon arriving at a tentative agreement by the end of Sept.
• Every step of the wage grid again increases 2.5% one year after ratification, and 2.5% two years after ratification.
• Additionally, nurses continue to advance to the next step on the grid each year.
• In summary, each nurse’s pay increases both based on their own advancement on the wage grid, plus the wage grid’s three scheduled increases during this contract.
• These increases average over 14% over the life of the contract.
• Importantly, this estimate accounts only for a nurse’s base wage, and does not include overtime or any of the premiums and differentials that a nurse will earn each year.

Seattle Children’s will continue to collaborate with WSNA to work toward a new, three-year contract as quickly as possible. The next bargaining session is scheduled for September 18.

September 05, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for the twelfth day of negotiations to work toward a new contract.

Children’s presented WSNA a new proposal with substantial pay increases over our initial proposal. The increases recognize how much nurses are at the heart of what we do - caring for every child so they can live the healthiest, most fulfilling life possible. We remain committed to recruitment and retention.

Throughout the day, Children’s listened to and answered WSNA’s questions about the new proposals as WSNA continued to work on counterproposals. WSNA ended the day with another set of proposals, including a detailed proposal around pay increases, which Children’s is committed to reviewing.

Seattle Children’s appreciates WSNA’s collaboration during yesterday’s session.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for September 8, 2025.

August 30, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for the eleventh day of negotiations to work toward a new contract.

Negotiations included more discussion around pay increases and benefits for nurses.

Children’s and WSNA acknowledged the many areas where there is better alignment between what is being proposed and recognized the areas where the work continues toward reaching an agreement on a new, three-year contract. To that end, Children’s and WSNA agreed to extend the existing contract through September 30, 2025.

Children’s agreed to pay all bargaining members a bonus to recognize their wage increases under the current contract for all hours worked since September 1, and a bonus to all nurses on the bargaining team to account for their time spent in negotiations, if there is a tentative agreement in place by September 30.

Seattle Children’s and WSNA are scheduled to meet again on September 4, 2025.

August 29, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for the tenth day of negotiations to work toward a new contract.

Children’s presented WSNA with proposals involving robust pay increases and benefits, to recognize Nurses who are at the heart of caring for every child so they can live the healthiest, most fulfilling life possible.

Children’s is focused on continuing to retain Nurses, which leads to a stronger workforce and our shared goal of better outcomes for patients and families. The initial proposed wage increases make clear the intent to reach an agreement that keeps Children’s highly competitive in the Washington state market.

Like other healthcare systems across the country, Children’s is navigating financial challenges and uncertainty, including federal and state funding cuts and taxes. Despite the ongoing economic headwinds, Children’s remains committed to meaningful pay increases of 2.5%-3.0% for each year of the three-year contract, to support Nurses while preserving the ability to provide compassionate care for all children in the region, regardless of their families’ ability to pay. The total value of Children’s initial proposal is $38.9M, while the total value of WSNA’s proposal is $391.4M.

Additionally, Seattle Children’s and WSNA tentatively reached agreements around the process for Nurses to register grievances, and for development opportunities for Nurses.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for August 29, 2025.

August 8, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for the ninth day of negotiations.

Both bargaining teams spent a lot of time analyzing proposals, which is critically important as we work toward a new contract, allowing Seattle Children’s to continue providing compassionate care to the patient families we serve.

Several nurses acknowledged the progress made in addressing workplace violence, sharing their personal experiences and the experiences of their colleagues. Seattle Children’s recognizes and appreciates the vulnerability of each nurse who spoke during the session and looks forward to continuing progress in this important area.

Throughout this week, meaningful progress has been made in several areas discussed, and with a shared commitment to analyze and present proposals that will bring us closer to an agreement, Seattle Children’s looks forward to the next bargaining sessions, scheduled for August 28 and 29.

August 7, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for our eighth day of negotiations as we work toward a new contract.

Seattle Children’s presented counterproposals on technology and workplace violence prevention, adopting several of the provisions and concepts from WSNA’s recent counterproposal.

Additionally, the Seattle Children’s bargaining team is actively reviewing WSNA’s proposals.

As the parties are scheduled to resume bargaining on August 7, Seattle Children’s appreciates the productive dialogue and progress made to date.

August 6, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for the seventh day of negotiations as we work toward a new contract.

WSNA presented numerous proposals related to pay and benefits, recognizing that the Seattle Children’s bargaining team will need significant time to analyze them.

Seattle Children’s is committed to taking the necessary time to thoughtfully evaluate WSNA's latest proposals.

WSNA also presented its first responses to Seattle Children’s proposals on technology and workplace violence prevention.

The parties are scheduled to bargain again on August 6 and August 7.

July 23, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) were scheduled to meet for a sixth day of negotiations as we work toward a new contract. 

While both parties spent productive time in their separate sessions, there was no joint session due to time.

Seattle Children's recognizes the importance of taking time to listen and having thoughtful dialogue on all new proposals. 

Seattle Children's looks forward to coming together in the next sessions, scheduled for August 5, 6, and 7, 2025, to hear WSNA's new proposals and receive responses to our proposals. 

July 22, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for the fifth day of negotiations as we work toward a new contract.

The Children’s bargaining team responded to WSNA proposals around workplace violence and technology. Children’s proposed new contract language to recognize a shared commitment from Children’s and WSNA to prevent workplace violence. Children’s also agreed to contract language acknowledging the clinical judgment of nurses and the role of technology to support the highest quality of care.

In yesterday’s session, WSNA provided a new proposal regarding a healthy work environment, which Children’s committed to review and discuss during the next session.

Seattle Children’s appreciates WSNA’s collaboration during yesterday’s session.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for July 22, 2025.

July 11, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for the fourth day of negotiations as we work toward a new contract.

Part of the session was focused on contract language around technology and workplace violence prevention, with WSNA proposing some changes to the current language.

Seattle Children’s and WSNA both acknowledged the positive work already done to enhance our Workplace Violence Prevention Program, and how we can work together to incorporate this program into the contract.

In yesterday’s session, Children’s responded to WSNA’s seniority proposal, agreeing to extend the time for registered nurses to respond to being recalled to Seattle Children’s for employment.

Seattle Children’s appreciates WSNA’s collaboration during yesterday’s session.

The next bargaining sessions are scheduled for July 21 and 22, 2025.

July 10, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) came together for a third day of negotiations as we work toward a new contract.

Seattle Children’s proposed adding language to the contract to reflect our shared commitment to advancing health outcomes and eliminating disparities for the patients we serve.

Children’s also proposed language that guarantees all nurses are treated fairly, consistent with our mission, vision, and values, and includes a new process that ensures nurses can address disputes equitably and efficiently.

WSNA presented proposals on seniority, hours of work and overtime, and additional language on the ten-hour shift schedule.

Seattle Children’s appreciates WSNA’s thoughtful engagement and shared commitment to work collaboratively.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for July 10, 2025.

June 04, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for their second day of contract negotiations.

The Children’s bargaining team reviewed WSNA’s proposals in detail and asked questions to prepare counterproposals. Children’s and WSNA engaged in a helpful discussion about WSNA’s proposals and requests for information, and both parties indicated they are working on additional proposals and responses for discussion at upcoming sessions.

The next bargaining session is currently scheduled for July 21, 2025.

May 29, 2025

Yesterday, Seattle Children’s and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) began negotiating a new contract.

The parties discussed and agreed upon negotiation ground rules, including expectations of professionalism and respect at the bargaining table. WSNA and Seattle Children’s also agreed to consider the context of negotiations when sharing bargaining updates, to avoid inflammatory or inaccurate communications.

WSNA presented proposals on the Preamble and the contract’s non-economic articles, and Seattle Children’s is actively reviewing them.

At the end of today’s session, Children’s thanked WSNA for the discussion.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for June 3, 2025.

May 27, 2025

We are looking forward to beginning collective bargaining negotiations with the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) and reaching a new contract with our valued nurses, and to ensure Children’s continues to provide the highest quality clinical care to the patients we serve. Our current collective bargaining agreement expires on August 31, 2025.

Children’s is prepared to collaborate with WSNA to reach an agreement as amicably and quickly as possible.

Our first bargaining date with union representatives is tomorrow, May 28 and we are committed to informing you on the progress as we work toward a new contract.