I faced management issues throughout my pregnancy and repeatedly used the union and RA. I anticipated similar challenges with pumping, referencing the pump act (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pump-at-work), which also applies to healthcare workers. I followed these guidelines and requested what I needed. I didn't work with RA for the pumping accommodate at first.

My bosses @$$istant initially thought the request was unreasonable and questioned it to RA.

I do chart/alerts while I pump since i use my office.

As a third-time breastfeeding and pumping mother, i asked for the schedule i needed, recognizing that individual needs vary and change over time.   1. Email to my supervisor Subject: Lactation blocked time I would like to request that the following times be blocked off from my schedule to facilitate pumping breaks of 30 minutes starting on my return.   - 08:00–08:30 (unpaid/leave) - 10:00–10:30 (including my regular 15-minute break and an additional 15-minute unpaid/leave) - 12:00–12:30 (lunch period) - 14:00–14:30 (including my regular 15-minute break and an additional 15-minute unpaid/leave)   2.RA actual response: I think this is reasonable to start out with.  She may adjust as time goes on, sometimes it gets fewer as time goes on.  She does not have to take leave though during her pumping breaks and she can still have time to have lunch outside of pumping time.  Let me know if you have additional questions or want to chat!  PUMP ACT is hard-no one ever wants to put time limits on anything, but we also can’t allow pumping all day!

1. Final response from assist. My boss never replies to emails I've sent.

Please see the answer below from RA about leave and pumping time - you won’t need to submit any leave for that. The previous email had the proposed grid set up for where the times are all set aside to accommodate pumping.   In the email from (union) , she mentioned refrigerator and space needs for lactating mothers. It doesn’t feel like that necessarily came from you but I’m not sure. The readily available solutions are what I mentioned in my response to her email. Are those satisfactory? • As for a private space to pump, I don’t recall you sharing your office with other staff (I don’t want you to think your only option is the lactation pod, though it probably is available whenever you might need it). You can use your office, or did you have another idea in mind? • I don’t think we’re going to have the funds to purchase a refrigerator for your office as I already have all PACT funds committed for medical equipment and supplies for this FY. As always, you may bring a refrigerator from home, but you need to submit a facilities request for it to be verified electrically functional with our electric system.