WSNA nurses are loud, proud and organized.

It was a raucous affair - nurses circled the block in front of Seattle Children's Hospital this morning, chanting and waving signs. Be fair to those who care, one read. Patients over profits, said another.

Across the street, music blared and the Teamster truck rolled by, the driver leaning on a deafening horn.

Nurses at Seattle Children's are in the midst of a tough contract fight. They want to see a reduction in workplace violence, safer staffing levels,  and higher wages that keep pace with other children's hospitals down the West Coast.

But the Hospital is thumbing its nose at its workers' demands. The employer has even hired an anti-union law firm, trying to eliminate longstanding protections - things like union security, dues deduction, and employer-paid health premiums. 

With negotiations stalling out, members of Teamsters 117 who work at the Washington State Nurse's Association (WSNA) mobilized the nurses and organized a rally. 

Teamster Tara Barnes has spent years on the frontlines caring for patients and now representing nurses.

One of those members is Tara Barnes, a labor representative at WSNA, who was a bedside nurse for 23 years before coming on staff at the union. Tara's got a wealth of hands-on nursing experience in clinics, long-term care, home care, and large hospital settings. 

"Hospitals like Seattle Children's always try to go slim on staffing," Barnes says, as she stands in front of a lively picket line. "We understand that they are large organizations, but if that means a stagnation in hours, wages, and working conditions, it's a big setup for disrespect and unsafe care."  

Seattle Children's is the wealthiest large hospital in Washington State with last year's profit margin hovering around 14%. When hospitals like Seattle Children's squeeze their nurses to maximize profits, workers and patients suffer.  

But dedicated union staff like Barnes and the nurses she represents say they won't let it happen. "We are on fire, we're all unified - that's the message we're delivering to Seattle Children's," Barnes said emphatically. "We need a fair contract and we need it now."

Watch out SCH! The Teamster truck is in the house!