SEATTLE, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), representing more than 600 registered nurses at Virginia Mason Medical Center (VMMC), won an arbitration decision against VMMC which stops the hospital from forcing RNs to receive flu shots. This matter was moved to arbitration after WSNA filed a petition in Federal Court seeking an injunction to stop the hospital’s policy, which made flu shots a condition of employment and threatened to fire anyone who did not comply.
The arbitrator’s decision found that the employer violated the terms and the very purpose of the collective bargaining agreement between WSNA and VMMC by unilaterally implementing this policy. The employer was ordered to “cease and desist its intended implementation of the flu immunization policy and remove such condition of employment from its Fitness for Duty policy.”
WSNA absolutely supports the flu vaccination and in fact strongly encourages nurses to get them. But, it does oppose any health care facility threatening to fire people if they do not submit to the mandatory vaccination, especially in the absence of a declared public health emergency and a recommendation for mandatory vaccination by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
“This decision stops VMMC from forcing RNs to get a flu vaccination against their will. It’s a basic right for people to make decisions regarding their own health care treatment. As health care professionals, we know that education, accessibility and incentives -- not brute force -- are the best way to encourage people to comply,” said Barbara Frye, RN, Director of Labor Relations at WSNA.
“The registered nurses at VMMC will not tolerate an employer who threatens to fire nurses who choose not receive the flu vaccination. We do, however, welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the employer in an effort to educate nurses and the public about the importance of flu vaccination,” said LauraLee Mayorkinos, RN, WSNA Local Unit Chair at VMMC.
Founded in 1908, WSNA is the professional organization representing more than 13,000 registered nurses in Washington State. WSNA effectively advocates for the improvement of health standards and availability of quality health care for all people; promotes high standards for the nursing profession; and advances the professional and economic development of nurses.
Washington State Nurses Association
CONTACT: Anne Tan Piazza of Washington State Nurses Association,+1-206-575-7979, ext. 3006, or mobile, +1-206-459-6409, or, fax+1-206-575-1908
Web site: http://www.wsna.org/
