Hundreds of nurses from UnityPoint Health-Meriter went on strike today after 22 failed rounds of contract negotiations between the Madison hospital and the Service Employees International Union, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. The parties have agreed to return to the bargaining table on Thursday.
The hospital said it will bring in outside nurses and nonunion staff to cover patient needs during the walkout, which was set to start at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday and last until 6:59 a.m. next Sunday.
SEIU Wisconsin is a statewide union of health care workers and represents over 850 nurses at UnityPoint Health-Meriter. It has been in negotiations with the hospital for a new contract since January, with nurses currently working under the terms of their last contract, which expired in March.
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