JANESVILLE — More than 130 nurses and medical support staff walked the picket line at Mercyhealth East Clinic for a second day, picketing for improved wages, benefits and working conditions.
The United Auto Workers Local 95, representing the striking employees, say that Mercyhealth’s contract offer included “significant health care cost increases” that overshadowed “inadequate wage increases.”
The walkout, affecting roles from nurses and physical therapists to medical assistants and maintenance staff, followed stalled contract negotiations. UAW Local 95 emphasized that “non-profit healthcare workers should be able to afford their own healthcare.”
State Sen. Mark Spreitzer and State Rep. Ann Roe walked the picket line Thursday in support of the strikers.
“I was proud to stand with UAW Local 95 workers at the Mercyhealth East Clinic in Janesville today as they continued their strike,” Spreitzer said. “They are fighting for increased wages, workplace safety, and affordable healthcare benefits.”
Mercyhealth East officials say the clinic is open and providers are seeing patients as scheduled.
They say that the Wright Road entrance will be closed. The entrance on E. Milwaukee Street will remain open.
The Janesville News Report reached out to Mercyhealth officials for comment but did not receive a reply.