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Labor Union

Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA)

Website:

www.wsna.org/
Location:

Seattle, WA
Tax ID:

91-0462188
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(5)

Budget (2022):

Revenue: $10,811,588
Expenses: $12,321,673
Assets: $10,238,426
Type:

Nurse labor union
Formation:

1908
President:

Justin Gill
Budget (2023):

Revenue: $11,971,811
Expenses: $12,984,334
Net Assets: $6,968,685

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The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) is a labor union that represents nurses and other medical staff within the state of Washington. The union is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the American Nurses Association, and the AFL-CIO labor federation. WSNA is also affiliated with the Washington State Labor Council and the Washington State Nurses Foundation. 1 2 3

Background and History

The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) was founded in 1908 as the Washington State Graduate Nurses Association (WSGNA). The group was affiliated with the Nurses Associated Alumnae of the United States, which in 1912 was renamed the American Nurses Association. 4 The WSGNA was renamed the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) in 1940. Following this, the union supported the passage of the state’s first Nurse Practice Act in 1909, which set up a licensing program for nurses in the state. 5

In 1961, Washington became the 23rd state to enact legislation requiring mandatory licensure for registered nurses. 6 The union went on strike for the first time in 1976 when over 1,500 nurses at fifteen Seattle-area hospitals participated in a two-month-long strike. 7 In the 1980s, the WSNA experienced its first “union raid” when several union staff members joined rival unions including the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and SEIU 1199 NW, which resulted in the WSNA losing half of its bargaining units and members. 8

Activity

Lobbying

The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) has previously advocated for additional funding towards public health programs as well as tax increases. The union’s 2024 legislative priorities included legislation requiring similar reimbursement rates between nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians. The group also supported legislation lifting the property tax cap ceiling from 1% to 3%, which failed to pass. 3

In 2023 the union supported legislation providing free school meals for all K-4 public school students and expanded workers’ compensation for nurses with PTSD. 9

Endorsements

The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) operates a political action committee, the WSNA PAC, which makes endorsements for public offices in the state. In 2024, the union endorsed Bob Ferguson (D) for governor and Nick Brown (D) for attorney general. The union endorsed 86 candidates for the state legislature in 2024, including 81 Democrats and 5 Republicans. 2

References

  1. “Affiliations.” Washington State Nurses Association. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.wsna.org/about/affiliations
  2. “WSNA PAC Makes Endorsements for 2024 Elections.” Washington State Nurses Association. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.wsna.org/news/2024/wsna-pac-makes-endorsements-for-2024-elections
  3. “End of Session Report.” Washington State Nurses Association. 2024. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.wsna.org/government-affairs/2024/end-of-session-report
  4. History: Prior to 1908.” Washington State Nurses Association. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.wsna.org/about/centennial/prior-to-1908
  5. “History: 1940s.” Washington State Nurses Association. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.wsna.org/about/centennial/1940s
  6. “History: 1950s.” Washington State Nurses Association. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.wsna.org/about/centennial/1950s
  7. “History: 1970s.” Washington State Nurses Association. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.wsna.org/about/centennial/1970s
  8. “History: 1980s.” Washington State Nurses Association. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.wsna.org/about/centennial/1980s
  9. “End of Session Report.” Washington State Nurses Association. 2023. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.wsna.org/government-affairs/2023/end-of-session-report
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: September - August
  • Tax Exemption Received: July 1, 1942

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2022 Sep Form 990 $10,811,588 $12,321,673 $10,238,426 $2,257,218 N $0 $10,627,510 $11,279 $1,188,971 PDF
    2021 Sep Form 990 $11,116,527 $11,225,508 $11,583,424 $2,092,131 Y $0 $10,984,960 $5,444 $1,146,205
    2020 Sep Form 990 $11,100,317 $10,900,318 $11,630,426 $2,030,152 Y $0 $11,042,269 $19,679 $583,692
    2019 Sep Form 990 $10,912,494 $10,306,919 $11,219,698 $1,819,423 N $0 $10,653,472 $62,184 $417,115 PDF
    2018 Sep Form 990 $10,549,049 $9,755,947 $10,728,629 $1,933,929 Y $0 $10,234,307 $26,537 $208,701 PDF
    2017 Sep Form 990 $10,950,848 $9,681,870 $9,887,733 $1,886,135 Y $130,306 $9,691,404 $7,533 $110,769 PDF
    2016 Sep Form 990 $8,788,344 $9,140,762 $8,814,472 $2,081,852 Y $21,646 $8,499,291 $4,207 $215,864 PDF
    2015 Sep Form 990 $8,428,603 $8,626,146 $9,090,500 $2,005,462 Y $26,250 $8,144,655 $4,332 $218,644 PDF
    2014 Sep Form 990 $8,278,391 $7,801,602 $8,961,076 $1,678,495 Y $28,581 $7,657,273 $5,696 $201,266 PDF
    2013 Sep Form 990 $8,086,892 $8,279,310 $8,355,729 $1,549,937 Y $23,338 $7,438,672 $5,059 $195,971 PDF
    2012 Sep Form 990 $7,570,994 $7,436,000 $8,283,312 $1,285,102 Y $30,186 $7,189,208 $10,485 $191,760 PDF
    2011 Sep Form 990 $7,463,886 $6,853,172 $8,062,115 $1,198,899 Y $25,000 $7,122,712 $13,043 $179,245 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA)


    Seattle, WA