Nurses at Madison hospital on strike, citing unmet contract demands

Contract talks between union and management teams resumed Thursday as a nurses’ strike at UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital in Madison continued into a third day.

This week’s strike is the first in the hospital’s history, according to the union, which represents more than 930 nurses at the hospital. Thursday’s negotiations were the first between the two sides in more than a week.

The nurses, represented by the Service Employees International Union, first threatened to strike earlier this month, citing hospital security, staffing and wage demands unmet by hospital management.

Since then, the hospital has upped its pay promises to a $111,045 average full-time nurse salary, a hospital spokesperson said — about $2,000 more than previously offered.

The hospital is also promising “enhanced security measures,” including “future weapons detection screening.”

The union previously told WPR workplace safety has deteriorated since the COVID-19 pandemic, including patients bringing weapons into the hospital. It did not respond to a request for comment on whether the hospital’s latest promise meets demands.

Madison Police Department records obtained by WPR show the number of people cited for battery against first responders or nurses at the hospital increased after 2017 before falling last year. In 2021, legislation passed in Wisconsin adding new penalties for battery to nurses. From 2021 to 2024, nine people were cited for battery to a nurse at Meriter, another five for battery to an emergency rescue worker.

The nurses’ third demand — fixed nurse-to-patient staffing ratios they say are essential for safe patient care — has met firm hospital opposition.

“We do not support mandated ratios that overlook the diverse needs of patients,” a hospital spokesperson wrote, explaining that “fixed ratios would reduce the flexibility we have today to adapt to varying patient conditions and acuity levels.”

The two sides began contract negotiations in January.

Inside the hospital, operations are continuing during the strike, thanks to hundreds of temporary traveling nurses.

“The hospital is receiving great feedback from team members and patients on the quality of care being administered,” a hospital spokesperson wrote.

Meanwhile, on the street outside the hospital, many of the hospital’s regular nurses are picketing throughout the week. Absent a contract agreement, they plan to continue their walkout through Saturday.

One of the nurses on the picket line was Stacey Hamre, who’s been at Meriter for three of her 30 years in the profession.

“The problems that we’re facing today between staffing and fair compensation, and just safety for the nurses as a whole, as far as security — that’s what has me out here today,” she told WPR on Tuesday. “It’s lacking.”

She said she hopes the strike will raise awareness of wider issues in nursing.

“We’re losing so many staff. And not a lot of people are going into nursing. And it’s hard to encourage people to go into nursing when we’re facing problems like this,” she said.

A 2024 report from the state Department of Workforce Development found Wisconsin doesn’t have enough registered nurses to meet current demand.

If unaddressed, the report said that gap will continue to grow — fueled by an aging population — potentially to over 12,000 missing nurses by 2040.

Dorothea Salo is a former Meriter patient who was picketing “in solidarity” with nurses at the hospital this week. She said nurses at the hospital saved her life during a bacterial infection.

“What I remember most about them is how calm they were about it all. Because I was scared, especially that first day. I had no idea what was happening to me,” she said.

As of Thursday afternoon, the union and the hospital have not announced results of the day’s negotiations.

The nurses’ union said they’ll be joined by Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski and State Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, for a “Candlelight Vigil for Staff and Patient Safety” on Thursday night.