With 71% support, nurses at SSM Dean clinics have voted to form a union, according to SEIU Wisconsin, which represents over 8,000 healthcare workers in the state.
The Dean nurses, who cited compensation issues, understaffing and other patient care issues, have now joined St. Mary’s Hospital nurses in forming a union.
According to SEIU Wisconsin, Dean nurses filed for their election on Aug. 10, voting began at the clinics on Sept. 22, and the votes were counted the night of Sept. 25.
SEIU called on SSM Health, the clinic’s corporate owner, to negotiate with the nurses rather than challenge the union vote.
SSM Health challenged the union vote of St. Mary’s Hospital nurses, but on July 22, the National Labor Relations Board regional office overruled the company’s objections and certified the union election for almost 900 nurses at St. Mary’s hospital.
St. Mary’s nurses have filed official charges against SSM Health with the National Labor Relations Board for allegedly breaking federal labor law, saying SSM has failed to engage in negotiations with the union.
