State Budget Q&A

 Q. Wait a minute, we supported Gov. Gregoire! Why did she do this?

A. Marcy Johnsen, RN at Fircrest School and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Public Sector Vice President responds:

Governor Gregoire was a champion for healthcare workers like us in her first term. She signed laws to expand healthcare funding, especially for kids; to improve wages for state nurses and community mental health workers; to limit mandatory nurse overtime; to improve hospital staffing and mandate universal safe lifting practices. She also signed mental health parity into law, and signed the Marty Smith Law to improve worker safety in the community.
We’ve worked closely with the Governor during the last four years, and we’re well positioned to engage with the governor throughout the budget process.
I know Gov. Gregoire is a leader who will listen to us – she’s valued our work and ideas in the past. We need every union member to get involved and work with the Governor and legislature in our campaign for quality care and public safety

Q. What can we do about it?

A. Dan Gosser, RN, Eastern State Hospital responds:

1. Don’t forget to sign up for the SEIU Healthcare 1199NW lobby day on Monday, Feb. 16 (Presidents Day). 

We’ll need every member’s involvement to write letters and make phone calls to our legislators. We also will need to reach out to patient/client families, allies in the community, other state employees, and health care advocates.

I hope to see all of you on February 16!

2. Sign our workplace petition for quality care and a fair state budget.

3. And, visit our state nurses’ blog . We’ll post regular updates on our blog and give you opportunities to take action.