WELCOME to the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals

The Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (WFNHP) is affiliated with AFT Healthcare, the national healthcare division of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

WFNHP is a democratically run labor union of health professionals, committed to the growth and empowerment of its membership and all healthcare workers.  WFNHP seeks to secure optimal working conditions and professional development for its members, while playing a leadership role in establishing high standards of clinical practice and patient care.

20 straight hours of bargaining and still no contract--Bargaining scheduled to resume Wednesday, November 11th at 9am--The bargaining team has been working almost around the clock in the struggle for new contracts at St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee. Bargaining took place Monday, November 2nd from 9am until 9pm, and again Thursday, November 5th from 9am until 5am on Friday morning, November 6th--20 hours straight. The greatest struggle is around pay, voluntary/mandatory call, call bonus and health insurance. By 5am Friday morning, both sides were exhausted and still unable to reach an agreement so broke off bargaining, but agreed to schedule one last meeting. That bargaining session is now scheduled for Wednesday, November 11th at 9am.

Urge them to save our jobs and vital county services: Day Treatment Program at BHD, Community Support Program (CSP), and Targeted Case Management (TCM). The full County Board meets Monday, November 9th. Call the County Supervisors today or leave them a message over the weekend. Urge them to support the above-mentioned programs and oppose any budget cuts to these areas. Follow link for list of County Supervisors and their phone numbers...

 The U.S. House is getting ready to vote on healthcare reform that provides affordable and quality care for all. This is a critical time, and every vote in Congress matters. The AFL-CIO is launching a National Week of Action for Health Care, and you can take part by letting Congress know we need healthcare reform now. CALL 1-877-323-5426...

Some members have asked questions about the status of the contract. The contract is signed and approved and is at the printer. You can expect to receive your copy of the new contract in the next week or two. Follow link for further details...

On October 28, 2009, our union and Milwaukee County reached an agreement that excludes all WFNHP members from the furlough plan. That means NO FURLOUGHS for our union members. Instead of some members losing 32 hours of pay, all members will accrue only 4 hours on the next minor holiday (which should be Veterans Day). Part time employees will have the time pro-rated. This reduction from 8 hours to 4 hours is for this year only, and only for the one minor holiday. Follow link for further details...

Are you on Facebook? Want to be among the first to hear about WFNHP activities, campaigns and events? Follow WFNHP on Facebook. Click here to become a WFNHP fan on Facebook now...

For nearly 20 years, unionists in Wisconsin have been trying to make the teaching of labor history in the schools a reality. Finally, a state law which would make that happen passed. On Tuesday, October 27, the State Senate passed AB172, which calls for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to include the history of organized labor and the collective bargaining process in the state's model academic standards for our schools.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have announced the final licensing approval for the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine. A limited amount of vaccine will be available for distribution as early as October 2nd.

The AFT executive council unanimously passed a resolution on Oct. 14 strongly opposing mandatory seasonal and H1N1 influenza immunization, and instead, encouraging members to weigh the risks and benefits of flu vaccinations and make their own informed decisions. The union also encouraged employers to develop comprehensive pandemic flu plans.

As the nation braces for a predicted surge in cases of H1N1 flu this fall, healthcare workers are concerned about whether their facilities are prepared for the challenge. Follow link for more information...

Today the Wisconsin State Senate Health Committee took a giant step forward to protect Wisconsin patients. The committee, chaired by Senator Jon Erpenbach, voted to approve SB 108, the bill to ban mandatory overtime for nurses and healthcare workers. Read the press release...

Contact your state legislators and urge them to support the legislation to end the dangerous practice of mandatory overtime for Wisconsin's healthcare workers.

Help us fight for quality, affordable health care for all.

More than 23,000 people took the AFL-CIO's Health Care for America Survey. Find out how they say our broken health care system should be fixed.

On July 6th the five-alarm fire continued to blaze at the Smithfield owned, Patrick Cudahy plant in Cudahy, Wisconsin. The United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) union, Local 1473, represents approximately 1,400 Patrick Cudahy workers at this location. "Local 1473 has a long and proud history of coming to the aid of fellow brothers and sisters in the labor community. Today we ask that union brothers and sisters and community members help our members and their families in the aftermath of this tragic event; in their time of need," said President Eiden. Follow the link for more details on how you can help...

A joint document that offers guidelines for labor organizing in Catholic hospitals, was released June 22nd by the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB). This marks an unprecedented and giant step forward in positive labor-management relations and creates a fair and balanced process for workers to choose whether or not to form a union; according to the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (WFNHP).

Thanks in large part to the efforts of union volunteers around the country and in Wisconsin, working families won a strong victory on November 4th, sending Barack Obama to the White House and electing a stronger pro-worker majority of Senators and Representatives. However, winning an election isn't the end of the fight. It's just the beginning.

We want to hear from you. Visit AFT Voices to share your opinion on the challenges you face in the workplace by answering our new survey question posted on the site.  Plus read comments from fellow members.  Current Questions: How are healthcare costs affecting you and your family? What sources of income will you rely on in retirement, and do you expect them to be sufficient?

We're rebuilding the economy and our middle class by supporting good union jobs in America. It's a perfect time to remind you about all the great American-made items at the Union Shop Online. From hats to shirts, buttons, mugs, portfolios, games, umbrellas and more, they have what you need and it's all made in America by union workers.