Press

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.

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.

March 14, 2019

Milwaukee, WI— Today, Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin introduced legislation to protect health and social service workers from violence on the job. Her action came after hearing a passionate presentation by a Milwaukee nurse who had been violently injured on the job.

“Workplace violence is a daily reality in health 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,” said Candice Owley, President of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals (WFNHP). “We can’t accept that violence is part of the job. Prevention is possible when systems are put into place to reduce the risk of violence. Thankfully, the bill introduced today by Senator Baldwin provides long-needed protections and enforceable safety standards for people who work in front-line health care jobs. As a union of health care professionals, we welcome this effort to finally make workplace-safety a priority.”

“Our health care and social services workers, and the people they serve, deserve to work and receive services in an environment free from workplace violence,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud to lead this important effort to provide overdue protections and safety standards to a workforce that serves people during some of their most vulnerable moments. This bill promotes a healthy environment that is good for both workers and those they serve, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this important effort.”

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).

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

Paid leave, protective equipment, childcare, and hiatus on rents and mortgages
 among simple measures that will keep us all safer  

Milwaukee, WI – The Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (WFNHP) calls for drastic action from hospital and laboratory executives, healthcare corporations, and government officials to protect healthcare workers and Wisconsin citizens as much as possible during the spread of this pandemic.