UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital in Madison is currently staffed by outside nurses as regular employees participate in a strike—the first at the facility since nurses unionized in 1978.
According to union representatives, negotiations with hospital management have stalled after more than 20 bargaining sessions, with disputes centering around wages and concerns over nurse and patient safety.
Hospital officials deny claims of unsafe conditions and argue that proposed pay increases above 3.5% are excessive, citing that Meriter nurses are already the highest-paid in Madison.
The strike began Monday and is expected to last five days.
