— Health workers employed by Planned Parenthood clinics across Wisconsin are moving to unionize, according to labor organizers.
The Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals this week announced the plan, calling it a “critical step” toward strengthening Planned Parenthood and organized labor in the face of “political attacks” on both.
Jamie Lucas, the federation’s executive director, said the health workers will soon vote in a union election with a hearing scheduled for next week to determine the specifics of that process.
“We anticipate well over 100 clinicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, health care assistants, patient navigators, and others across the state from all Planned Parenthood Clinics,” Lucas said in an email. “But the final number will be decided in the coming week as part of the process for elections under the National Labor Relations Board.”
He noted Planned Parenthood was asked to recognize the union based on majority support, but the nonprofit organization has chosen to file for an election.
In a statement on the announcement, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin emphasized its commitment to “providing compassionate, non-judgmental care” and education.
“We work tirelessly to protect and advance the rights of the communities we serve to have access to the full scope of sexual and reproductive health, and to have the agency to make their own decisions,” the group said in an email. “This value is no different when it comes to employees and their right to organize a union in their workplace. “
A majority of the health care workers employed by the organization have signed onto a petition stating they plan to organize “with the sincere intent to support the long-term viability of PPWI” and its mission, according to Lucas.
“Every step of this process has been guided by the healthcare workers, which is what having a union is all about: creating an organization of and for the workers, built on their experiences, expertise, and compassion to better serve their patients and care for themselves,” he told WisBusiness.com, adding the union believes the move will improve the quality of care the workers deliver.
The Wisconsin FNHP is the local affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers health care division, which represents more than 130,000 health professionals across various industries, the release shows.
See the federation’s release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2024/wisconsin-federation-of-nurses-health-professionals-planned-parenthood-workers-unite-for-stronger-care-and-form-union-across-wisconsin-2/
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i>
— The state Department of Health Services expects the number of children enrolled in BadgerCare Plus will be lower than what was budgeted for 2023-24.
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— The state Department of Transportation has released the request for proposals document for the Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which will offer grant funding for new EV charging stations.
The agency on Tuesday announced the RFP information, with the full application packet being made available Jan. 12. After two initial deadlines for written questions on Jan. 29 and Feb. 29, the final proposal submission deadline is April 1 at 5 p.m., according to the project timeline.
Wisconsin is eligible for about $78 million in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program formula funding over five years starting with fiscal year 2023, the RFP document shows. Funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which designated $7.5 billion for EV charging development across the country. The NEVI program includes $5 billion of that funding.
The WEVI program will reimburse up to 80% of eligible costs associated with selected EV charging station projects, and awardees will provide at least 20% non-federal cost-sharing, according to DOT. The first round of funding will go to eligible proposals located on designated alternative fuel corridors, which are detailed in the RFP document.
See the RFP information: https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/projects/multimodal/24-0102-WEVI-RFP.pdf
See more on the WEVI program: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/multimodal/electrification.aspx
— The Water Council has announced the three winners of its fall 2023 Tech Challenge, which comes with a $10,000 prize.
The latest industry challenge from the Milwaukee-based water technology group was focused on detecting, treating or destroying PFAS chemicals as well as non-destructive assessment of pressurized pipes. Winners were chosen by corporate sponsors A. O. Smith Corporation, Badger Meter and Watts Water Technologies.
The fall winners include: Aguadda of Washington, chosen for its PFAS destruction technology; Searen of Ohio, chosen for its method for extracting and concentrating PFAS; and Pipesonic of Canada, which has developed tools for assessing watermains. The third company’s U.S. headquarters are located in Milwaukee.
While Aguadda participated in the Water Council’s BREW 2.0 Post-Accelerator program in 2022, Pipesonic was created last year by alumni of the organization’s original BREW and BREW 2.0 programs, according to the announcement.
“It’s exciting to see these companies connect with large corporations to help them reach the next steps in their journeys,” said Karen Frost, the group’s vice president of economic development and innovation.
See the release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2024/the-water-council-three-winners-named-for-the-water-councils-tech-challenge/
#TOP STORIES#
# Bice: Potawatomi is planning $200 million concert venue, sources say
# Streamline or safety? Bills would waive some building reviews, but state inspectors warn of risks
# Wisconsin trails Illinois, Minnesota on solar adoption. Advocates say policy changes could help turn the tide
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Raise your voice – farm and rural lobby day in Wisconsin
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=9&yr=2024
– Seeking 77th Alice in Dairyland – apply by Jan 31, 2024
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=8&yr=2024
# CONSTRUCTION
– Mandel Group plans 288 apartments for Spring Mall site in Greenfield
# ENVIRONMENT
– Great Lakes ice cover reaches record low for New Year’s Day
– Madison trees: Residents protest a ‘silent deforestation’
# FOOD & BEVERAGE
– Seven Acre Dairy brings nine guest chefs for a winter dinner series
– Former Punch Bowl Social to be transformed as new Bars & Recreation business
– Food and beverage vendor picked for Vel R. Phillips Plaza on Wisconsin Avenue
# HEALTH CARE
– Medical College of Wisconsin named in lawsuit following data breach by Russian hackers
# MEDIA
– Willem Dafoe is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
– Former WIXX co-hosts Nick and Katie to join Otis Day on 95.9 KISS-FM’s new morning show
# REGULATION
– Deb Carey of Spotted Cow brewer New Glarus eyes distilling under new state law
# RETAIL
– Milwaukee’s sales tax increase begins, expected to generate millions
# TECHNOLOGY
– Gambling elements in apps and games are often difficult to spot
# TRANSPORTATION
– U-Haul data shows Wisconsin ranks near the middle of the pack for number of new residents
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
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