CODE RED: Safe Staffing Campaign Resources

• 2026 BILL: Wisconsin Nurse Staffing and Patient Protection Act
• Write your Wisconsin Legislators: Tell them to pass safe staffing legislation now
• WFNHP Safe Staffing Saves Lives - Fact Sheet 1
• WFNHP Safe Staffing Saves Lives - Fact Sheet 2
• AFT Code Red Safe Staffing Literature Review
• AFT Debunking Sources Used in Arguments Against Safe Staffing Legislation

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR:
Wednesday, February 25, 2026

For more information, contact:
Jamie Lucas, (720)621-3689, jlucas@wfnhp.org

Nurses, Healthcare Workers Call “Code Red” on the Healthcare Staffing Crisis, Join with Legislators to Announce the Wisconsin Nurse Staffing and Patient Protection Act

Who: Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, Sens. Larson and Ratcliff, Rep. Subeck

What: Press conference announcing a safe staffing bill to stabilize healthcare as a career and improve patient care

When: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 9:30 am

Where: Senate Parlor, State Capitol Building in Madison

This morning, healthcare workers and advocates will gather to announce the re-introduction of the Nurse Staffing and Patient Protection Act, a crucial piece of legislation that will require hospitals to provide adequate nursing and direct care staff for all patients at virtually all times by establishing enforceable minimum staffing ratios and banning the practice of mandatory overtime.

Federal immigration actions are rapidly expanding, with deadly consequences. The killings of poet Renee Nicole Good and nurse Alex Pretti by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis have brought intense focus on the use of excessive force. An AFT webinar, co-hosted by AFT President Randi Weingarten and AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang on Jan. 28, featured experts on immigration and the law. It highlighted AFT resources and showcased how our locals are showing up to minimize fear and trauma.

Watch our interview with WTMJ4 News regarding the recent Ascension cyber security attack and our concerns over the disruption of care and services at St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. WTMJ4 News Interview -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rh9PiVg42k

Here's a thread of other press stories about the effect of the cybersecurity hack and our members' collective efforts to keep caring for their patients:

PRESS RELEASE FOR:
Thursday, May 9, 2024

For more information, contact:
Jamie Lucas, (720)621-3689, jlucas@wfnhp.org

ASCENSION CYBER SECURITY ATTACK IMPACTING HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND PATIENT CARE

MILWAUKEE – Wednesday, May 8th, Ascension's electronic health record (EHR) was unexpectedly taken off-line. Union members of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals at Ascension St. Francis Hospital are concerned about their ability to provide the quality care that patients deserve, including concerns over delayed test results, access to doctors, and increased chance for medical errors. At the time of this press release, the system is not up and our members have been told there is "no end in sight."

The loss of our EHR has dramatically slowed down care and significantly reduced nurses' and other healthcare workers' ability to care for patients. Our members are concerned about management's response to this crisis, for reasons including:

PRESS RELEASE FOR:
Friday, February 8, 2024

For more information, contact:
Jamie Lucas, (720)621-3689, jlucas@wfnhp.org

 
Planned Parenthood Workers Win Their Union in Historic Vote, Uniting for Stronger Care Across Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals is proud to announce a significant victory for the dedicated healthcare workers of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, as they have successfully won their union election with 81% of the vote yesterday. Following a democratic process, employees across various roles within the organization have chosen to unionize, marking a pivotal moment in the history of reproductive healthcare advocacy and the resurgence of the labor movement in Wisconsin. We expect the National Labor Relations Board to certify the election in the coming days.

PRESS RELEASE FOR:
Tuesday, January 2, 2024

For more information, contact:
Jamie Lucas, (720)621-3689, jlucas@wfnhp.org

 
Planned Parenthood Workers Unite for Stronger Care and Form Union Across Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE – In a historic move aimed at fostering long-term sustainability for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, healthcare workers from clinics across the state have joined forces to establish a union. Their initiative seeks to empower those at the forefront of patient care by providing them with a formal voice in shaping the conditions under which they work.