Following an informational picket on May 9 by SEIU Wisconsin Meriter Service and Support workers, UnityPoint Health–Meriter issued the following statement:
“We are still in the bargaining process, with the assistance of a federal mediator, to finalize a new, fair contract with SEIU Wisconsin. We have a long history of successfully negotiating contracts with SEIU, and our goal is always to keep negotiations moving forward. Since bargaining began in February, UnityPoint Health–Meriter has responded quickly with counter proposals and made itself available for additional and extended bargaining sessions to continue progress.
“We deeply value and respect our team members, and the topics most important [to] SEIU are equally as important to Meriter, including fair compensation, benefits, and reducing turnover.
“Fair Compensation & Benefits:
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Annually, we conduct market studies that continue to confirm that our team member wages remain market competitive.
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Our most recent contract proposal includes an average 4.4% pay increase in 2024 and an average 4.15% increase in 2025, plus a ratification bonus of $500 for each represented Service & Support team member (pay increases include step movement).
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We offer competitive benefits, including a referral bonus of at least $1,000, paid time off (up to 7 weeks per year for longtime team members), PTO cash out, upfront tuition assistance, access to a comprehensive wellness program that includes free on-demand mental health support, and full health and dental benefits for team members who work 20 hours per week or more.
“Reducing Turnover:
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Pathways programs for certified nursing assistant, medical assistant, phlebotomy, surgical technician, and cardiac sonography offer opportunities to current team members to advance their careers in the health care field and provide community members with opportunities to join our organization.
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We are committed to recruiting and retaining team members. In 2023, we hired 217 nursing assistants (192 new hires/rehires and 25 transfers), 53 housekeepers (50 new hires/rehires and three transfers), 41 food service workers, four assistant cooks and one lead cook, six facilities staff (mechanic III and IV, biomedical tech II, master electrician), eight patient escorts, seven physical therapy aides, and two OB surgical techs.
“Meriter has been a proud part of our Madison community for over 125 years. We are committed to supporting our team members and we are hopeful we will reach an agreement in the coming weeks, as we have for decades.”
