UAW Local 95 Reaches 100 Days on Strike for Better Conditions at Mercyhealth

JANESVILLE, WI – The ongoing strike by UAW Local 95 Unit 14 members at Mercyhealth’s East Clinic has entered its 100th day, marking a significant period of advocacy for improved working conditions and better patient care. Since July 2, these healthcare professionals have been protesting against what they describe as deteriorating job conditions that compromise the quality of care, as well as their own well-being.

UAW Local 95 President Judy McRoberts said, “There’s no question that our members at Mercyhealth East are stronger today than they were on July 2 when they first walked out. They’ve held the line for 100 days because they know what’s at stake — the quality of care their patients receive and the dignity of their own work. Mercy East UAW members take pride in caring for their community, and they understand that you can’t deliver quality patient care when management keeps turning good jobs into low-wage, high-stress positions. Mercyhealth needs to start valuing both its workers and its patients.”

The strike involves a wide range of roles, from nurses to receptionists and maintenance workers, who claim that their efforts are essential to the clinic's operations. A primary source of contention is the proposed increase in health care costs, which they argue exacerbates financial strain on employees. Low wages and insufficient safety measures are also central to their grievances.

Anna Farrington, a UAW member participating in the strike, expressed concerns about safety and staffing: “Mercyhealth is denying us any sense of security — even those of us working late into the evenings. We never know who might come in at any hour, and there are so few of us on staff. We want to give our patients the best care and comfort we can, but how are we supposed to do that when we don’t even feel safe ourselves? Mercyhealth didn’t seem to have any trouble finding security guards once we started our picket line — I guess it was possible after all.”

Despite Mercyhealth System's substantial revenue, which exceeded $2 billion between 2020 and 2023, there have been criticisms regarding the allocation of these funds. The strikers and their supporters highlighted that CEO Javon Bea received $36.2 million in the same period, with $11.5 million in 2023 alone. At a recent rally, community leaders and political figures joined in solidarity with the workers, pointing out what they see as a mismatch between executive compensation and resource allocation for patient care and staffing.