Latest news with #UnityPointHealth
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nursing strike at Madison's UnityPoint Health-Meriter ends in tentative agreement
A four-day strike at Madison's UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital where hundreds of nurses have been asking for safer working conditions is ending in a tentative agreement between the hospital and SEIU Wisconsin, which represents 934 Meriter nurses, according to a May 31 announcement from the labor union. While the tentative agreement does not outline broad safety measures for staff across the board, it does consist of protections for some staff, an 8% raise over the next two years for all and new framework for staff to voice concerns, bargaining team member Amber Anderson said at the May 31 news conference outside the hospital. In particular, the bargaining team won commitments specific to staff and patients working in Child Adolescent Psychiatry and the Emergency Room, as well as commitment to a tip sheet for violent incidents, Anderson said. The bargaining team was not able to win actionable commitments from management that would more tangibly prevent workplace violence across the board, she said, particularly on staffing ratios. However, Anderson did say they obtained language that will be easier for nurses to collectively voice concerns on staffing and safety and work with management to find solutions. Union members will vote to ratify the agreement during the evening on May 31 and then return to work at the hospital by 7 a.m. June 1, which is when the strike had been scheduled to end. The strike — the first for Meriter nurses — began on May 27 grounded in frustrations over hospital management's lack of response to multiple requests for a safer work environment. Contract negotiations started in January. Since then, nurses had been asking for their contract to guarantee greater security measures at the hospital, including adding a metal detector and smaller staff-to-patient ratios in the hospital's medical-surgical units. They also sought increased pay for working nights and other less desirable shifts. Pat Raes, a Meriter nurse and president of SEIU Wisconsin, previously told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that there had been instances where patients and visitors brought guns into the facility without the knowledge of staff. Violence against health care workers has been on the rise, Raes said, and nurses sought action before a serious incident occurs, not after. Anderson said on May 31, "This victory is not just for the bargaining team. It belongs to all of us. To every single one of you who showed up, spoke out and stood strong, we thank you." Behind her stood over a dozen other hospital staff and supporters decked out in the union's signature color: purple. In her speech, Anderson thanked SEIU staff, UW nurses, workers at the Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin and community members and other local unions who donated time and resources. In a Facebook post on the agreement, the hospital issued the following statement: "We respect the union's process and look forward to the outcome of their decision. We believe this is a strong, fair contract that demonstrates the value and respect we have for the nurses on our team." 'We are grateful for the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in the negotiations. This tentative agreement represents meaningful progress toward a contract that recognizes the important contributions of our nurses," Market Chief Nursing Officer Sherry Casali said. The hospital in downtown Madison is part of UnityPoint Health, an Iowa-based health system with locations across southern Wisconsin. In 2017, the hospital entered into a joint operating agreement with UW Health, allowing patients to get care from both providers. UW Health is also no stranger to labor negotiations. The health system's nurses union was dissolved in 2014 as a result of Act 10, and nurses began the fight to restore it in 2019, including threatening a three-day strike in 2022 that ultimately did not occur. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is currently deciding whether UW Health is required to negotiate a collective bargaining contract with the union. The court heard oral arguments in the case in February. Madeline Heim contributed to this report. Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@ Follow her on X at @levensc13. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nursing strike at UnityPoint Health-Meriter ends in tentative agreement
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Venue change motion for Bloomfield double homicide case pending; one sentencing moved to late June
KNOX COUNTY, Neb. (KCAU) — A judge overseeing one of the two people charged in the Bloomfield, Nebraska, double homicide case has a motion to change venue under advisement. Court documents indicated that during a hearing on Tuesday, a judge order the district court clerk to send an additional 100 expanded jury questionnaires to random prequalified people. The case stems back to February 2024, when Alias Reed was accused of killing two people at a bowling alley. The change of venue motion is pending until those questionnaires are received back and reviewed by both parties. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for June 24 while the jury trial is still set to start on July 14. Both of them will currently happen at the Knox County District Court. Story continues below Top Story: UnityPoint Health to acquire MercyOne Siouxland Lights & Sirens: Sioux City Police Department: Deadly March stabbing justified Sports: Local Iowa high school boys soccer playoff highlights and scores (5-29-25) Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here Meanwhile, the other suspect in the double homicide case, Kaylyne Sweazy, had her sentencing date pushed back to June 24. That's set to take place at the Knox County District Court. She pleaded no contest back on March 12 to the charges of attempted tampering with physical evidence and accessory to a felony as part of a plea agreement. A judge found Sweazy guilty on those charges. Officials claimed Sweazy helped Reed hide the gun used during the crime. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Pillen signs Adopt the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act
NEBRASKA (KCAU) — Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed a measure into law that will protect minors and their private information on websites and social media. The governor signed LB 504, the age-appropriate online design code act, at the state Capitol Building in Lincoln. Story continues below Top Story: UnityPoint Health to acquire MercyOne Siouxland Lights & Sirens: Sioux City Police Department: Deadly March stabbing justified Sports: Local Iowa high school boys soccer playoff highlights and scores (5-29-25) Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here The measure will have online service providers face civil penalties if they commit a violation. The bill will also give parents the ability to monitor privacy and account settings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa democrats urge against the Big Beautiful Bill
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — Iowa democrats are calling on republicans in Washington to vote against the Big Beautiful Bill, saying it would be devastating to Iowans on Medicaid. More than 700 thousand Iowans receive Medicaid; nearly half are children. Advocates say many hospitals, particularly in rural Iowa, could also be forced to close labor and delivery services, sending soon-to-be moms hundreds of miles for care. Story continues below Top Story: UnityPoint Health to acquire MercyOne Siouxland Lights & Sirens: Sioux City Police Department: Deadly March stabbing justified Sports: Local Iowa high school boys soccer playoff highlights and scores (5-29-25) Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here They also say hospitals will have to start picking and choosing what services they want to offer. According to the Congressional Budget Office, nearly 94 thousand Iowans would lose health insurance if the bill passes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UnityPoint Health intending to acquire MercyOne Siouxland
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — UnityPoint Health has announced that it will be acquiring MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center and its facilities. In an email from UnityPoint Health, they said that they and MercyOne Siouxland have signed a letter of intent for UnityPoint to acquire MercyOne Siouxland and its facilities. Facilities that will be acquired include the hospital, physician practices, and home care services. UnityPoint Health said that this decision was made so that they can be committed to the community and enhance Siouxland's access to high-quality healthcare. 'As the healthcare landscape evolves across the Siouxland region and even nationally, we continually evaluate opportunities to strengthen local healthcare in the communities we serve,' said Scott Kizer, President and Chief Executive Officer of UnityPoint Health. 'As an integrated, not-for-profit health system, UnityPoint Health is deeply invested in preserving access to care throughout all our communities; recruiting, retaining, and developing the best possible healthcare workforce; and providing an exceptional experience to all our patients. We believe that local, community-led, not-for-profit healthcare is best for our Sioux City community, and that this acquisition will help support that mission.' Story continues below Top Story: Potential SNAP cuts could impact food banks in Siouxland Lights & Sirens: 1 dead after truck crashes into backhoe near Norfolk Sports: Local Iowa high school girls playoff soccer highlights and scores (5-28-25) Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here MercyOne said that they share a goal of doing what is best for Siouxland. 'UnityPoint and MercyOne have a shared goal to do what's best for the Sioux City community. We strongly believe the best way to maintain access to care in Sioux City, to become sustainable long-term, and to ensure a smooth transition for patients and employees is for UnityPoint Health to acquire MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center,' said Bob Ritz, Chief Executive Officer, MercyOne. 'This decision supports our commitment to being a compassionate and healing presence in our communities.' The release states that the acquisition is expected to be completed this summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
