MADISON, WI – On Wednesday, August 24th, UW-Health nurses voted in favor of a three-day strike from September 13th-16th if UW-Health’s administration refuses to recognize their union. On this, Representative Stubbs (D-Madison), whose district contains University Hospital, released the following statement:
“UW-Health is one of the primer healthcare institutions in our state. Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites walk into UW-Health clinics every year and receive the top-of-the-line care that they deserve. As a healthcare institution, much of UW-Health’s work rests on the nurses that administer frontline care each and every day.”
“UW-Health has a responsibility, as a pillar in our community, to treat its workers with respect. Part of ensuring that respect is recognizing when workers have made the decision to collectively negotiate as a union. Over the last three years, UW-Health nurses have made it clear that the administration must work with the nurses union to address the many difficult issues facing UW-Health today. Now is the time to live up to our Wisconsin motto, and move Forward together.”
“Today, I am calling on UW-Health’s administration to do the right thing, and recognize its nurse’s union. As our healthcare institutions continue to face issues of staff retention and quality of care, management must be willing to cooperate with workers. UW-Health nurses are part of the backbone of our healthcare infrastructure. They deserve the opportunity to negotiate for fair pay and safe working conditions as a fully recognized union.”
“As an elected official, I was proud to stand with frontline workers through the pandemic in 2020, and I am proud to stand with them today in 2022. Nurses before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic provided vital care to countless of our neighbors. Their work is truly invaluable, and their dedication to public health keeps our communities safe. By standing with UW-Health nurses, we are standing for a more secure future for the nursing profession, and our healthcare system at large.”
