UIHC nurses deserve a fair contract

Thanks to Vanessa Miller for her excellent Jan. 19 article, “Wide gap revealed as nurses push for raises.” Iowans need to know the many difficult challenges these compassionate, courageous health care heroes of SEIU face at work and with negotiating with a Board of Regents team that act mean-spirited and disrespectful in bargaining in bad faith.

As an Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI) member and SEIU union ally, I attended this opening session to offer solidarity and support. I was shocked and saddened to hear of the many serious, dangerous grievances cited in Miller’s article. High levels and types of violence, low staffing levels and stagnant wages have led to growing levels of danger for staff and patients.

The board’s pathetic contract proposal was infuriating and insulting. Adding injury to insult, the board lead negotiator cut out early citing “a scheduling conflict” though the bargaining session was scheduled well in advance!

These SEIU health care heroes were on the front lines of the pandemic for the last three years and have long given outstanding care to those of us who need it most. Iowans should contact the Board of Regents and let them know we deserve the quality care these health care heroes provide, and they deserve a full and fair contract!

Tom Mohan

Cedar Rapids

Opinion content represents the viewpoint of the author or The Gazette editorial board. You can join the conversation by submitting a letter to the editor or guest column or by suggesting a topic for an editorial to editorial@thegazette.com