The contract between SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin and Madison-based University of Wisconsin Hospital expires Monday, and due to a state law that ended most collective bargaining for Wisconsin state employees, those UW Hospital workers will no longer be represented by the union, according to a report by the Wisconsin State Journal.
SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin represented about 2,000 nurses and therapists at the hospital.
In January 2015, the contract between the hospital and the Wisconsin State Employees Union, which represents about 2,800 employees, will expire as well. Contracts with two other unions at the hospital have already expired.
The law, known as Act 10, bans collective bargaining for public employees except for public safety workers, according to the report. The law prohibits UW Hospital from continuing union contracts.
Despite the lack of unions, the hospital "remains committed to both providing the highest quality of care and recognizing the important contributions made by all employees," CEO Donna Katen-Bahensky told the Wisconsin State Journal.
UW Hospital is increasing pay temporarily to counter increased health insurance and pension costs the workers will experience under Act 10, according to the report.
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