COUNTY BOARD APPROVES RESOLUTION CALLING ON UW HOSPITALS AND CLINCS TO RECOGNIZE THE UWHCA NURSES’ UNION

February 21, 2020
Supervisor Yogesh Chawla, 1-608-285-2026
County Board

At their meeting last night, the County Board approved a resolution calling on UW Hospitals and Clinics authority to recognize the UWHCA nurses’ union.  The approved resolution highlights the importance and significance of nurses’ roles in the health care system.

 

Several UW Nurses and members of the public spoke in support of the resolution citing the need for the resources, safe staffing and protections that are necessary to do their jobs effectively and advocate for their patients.

 

County Board Supervisor Yogesh Chawla (District 6) noted “I know nurses work long hard hours and their number one priority is patient care.  When they have a seat at the table to work collaboratively with management on a safe and productive work environment, we will see optimal outcomes for patients and their families.”

 

The nurses believe that, under Act 10, the only route available is for the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics to voluntarily recognize their union.

 

The resolution notes a culture rooted in a long-standing tradition of mutual respect among the hospital system’s administration, board of directors, and organized registered nurses making it for years the best place to work and to receive care.  It goes on to say that in recent years, there has been a shift from the values of fully supporting top quality
nursing, and toward a value of prioritizing maximum corporate profits.

 

County Board Supervisor Andrew Schauer (District 21) reflected that “In July, I was under the care of UW Nurses and I saw first hand the excellent care they gave me in a high stress situation. I implore the UWHCA to voluntarily recognize the union and hope that the state will reverse the devastation caused by almost a decade of Act 10.”

 

The resolution will be sent to UWHCA board, Chief Executive Officer Alan Kaplan, MD of UWHC, SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin, and the Dane County legislative delegation.

The resolution can be found here:
https://dane.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=8030289&GUID=B3E0A3C6-D2C5-4FFD-AFAD-AEB3EF9C11EB