| Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals

WFNHP Statement on Employer Mandated COVID Vaccinations for Healthcare Workers

August 20, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has been a largely unmitigated disaster. More than half a million Americans have died as a result of the virus. Through it all, nurses, nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, other healthcare professionals, and the various staff that keep our hospitals running have been worked to the bone. Without the efforts of these workers, including the workers who we represent across the state of Wisconsin, many more would have tragically lost their lives. As if healthcare workers weren’t a vital part of society before, the debt they are owed after what they’ve struggled through over the past year and a half is vast. Despite the service of these workers to the communities in which they live and beyond, the healthcare corporations that they are employed by have not done enough to reciprocate these efforts. At several junctures over the course of the pandemic, employers have refused to offer bonuses for essential workers, failed to provide ample Personal Protective Equipment, failed to provide proper medical equipment, failed to provide proper staffing, and failed to produce appropriately safe working conditions. To sum it up, corporate healthcare employers have failed their workers and the people to whom they provide care. While the frontlines were starved for support, it was the bottom lines that received the reinforcements. This behavior isn’t new on the part of these corporations, but the stark differences between their words and their actions has never been more clear than now. MORE

How the American Rescue Plan Helps Wisconsin

The American Rescue Plan. Finally, we’re seeing another round of COVID relief. Last time, with the CARES Act, employers and large corporations received a significant benefit while regular people were left needing more. Things are a little bit different this time. Here are 20 ways the American Rescue Plan supports working people, per the AFL-CIO. Additionally, check out what we can expect in Wisconsin as a result of this bill

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February 1st marks the beginning of Black History month in the United States. It is a time when we remember and reflect on the achievements of individuals of color who have made contributions and sacrifices for the betterment of our society. This year is a year like no other in the long history of celebrating Black History. We continue to see social inequities and social injustices impacting our Black and brown communities. During this pandemic we also continue to see a disproportionate infection rate of Covid-19 and number of Covid-19 related deaths in our Black and brown communities.

Nurses & Health Professionals Applaud Statewide Mask Mandate

For Immediate Release:

July 30, 2020

WISCONSIN -- Following Governor Evers’ statewide order requiring masks or face coverings while indoors, healthcare workers across the state enthusiastically support this commonsense action to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Jeff Weber, RN and President of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals said, “This action is necessary and long overdue. A public health emergency like COVID-19 requires a coordinated public response, and we all have a role to play if we’re serious about saving lives. This order is the right thing to do and demonstrates a respect for the courage and conviction displayed by every healthcare worker who has been doing their part throughout this pandemic to keep our society healthy. We cannot beat this alone.”

COVID-19 Resources for WFNHP Members

This is a running list of resources for our WFNHP members and all healthcare workers to help get through these trying times.

WFNHP Press Coverage Related to COVID-19

Here's where you can find all the WFNHP press coverage regarding COVID-19.

Wisconsin Nurse Testifies Before Congress in Support of Federal Workplace Violence Prevention Legislation

February 27, 2019

Milwaukee, WI--Workplace violence is a daily reality in thealth care. Hospitals and other health care settings are centers for healing, but inside those walls, the people charged with caring for the sick are often victims of violence themselves.

"When health care workers show up to work, they shouldn't have to worry about whether a patient is going to hurt them. Violence should never be part of the job," said Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (WFNHP) President, Candice Owley.

This afternoon, WFNHP member, Patricia "Patt" Moon-Updike, RN, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives in support of the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (H.R. 1309).

When healthcare workers show up to work, they shouldn’t have to worry about whether a patient is going to hurt them. Violence should never be a part of the job.

Workplace violence has touched the lives of many of our members. One of them, Patricia "Patt" Moon-Updike, RN, will be testifying before the U. S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Workplace Protections at the hearing entitled "Caring for Our Caregivers: Protecting Health Care and social Service Workers from Workplace Violence" this Wednesday, Febrary 27, 2019, in Washington, D.C., to tell her story.

St. Francis Chapters Reach Tentative Agreement

We kept what we had, earned more of what we deserve, and beat back bad proposals—TOGETHER! Now, you get to VOTE!

On October 2nd, 2018, your St. Francis Bargaining Team reached a Tentative Contract Agreement with Ascension management. This concluded weeks of proposal exchanges and discussion regarding wages, staffing, PTO, healthcare and much more! The Bargaining Team is strongly recommending members vote to ratify the agreement, and there will be an in-depth presentation at the ratification vote. The Ratification Vote will be held on October 11th, 2018 in the 8th floor Auditorium from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Union leaders and staff will be there to answer questions from members so everyone has a full understanding of what they are voting on.

Today's Supreme Court decision, the Janus ruling, impacts unions and union members across the country, but it means something unique to us in Wisconsin. We have endured attacks on our rights as working people over the last several years. Unfortunately, our union sisters and brothers across the country are now getting a taste of what we have faced. However, we have never stopped fighting for what our members and patients deserve--no matter what--and today will not weaken our resolve.

“This is a very bad ruling, but living in a state that for years has been attacking workers’ rights, we have learned that we can be a strong and effective union when we stick together and join with the community to stand up for working families. In spite of relentless attacks, nurses and healthcare workers in Wisconsin continue to join together in our union, because they know the future is better when workers have unions,” said WFNHP President, Candice Owley.

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