University of Iowa hospital workers demand 5% raise amid pandemic conditions

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Cedar Rapids Gazette: Since the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics’ thousands of unionized health care workers last bargained with the state Board of Regents for better compensation and workplace conditions, they’ve endured unparalleled demands of a historic pandemic and want that reflected in a new contract. Demands presented Wednesday by SEIU Local 199 — representing 4,000 UIHC nurses and professionals — include a 5% across-the-board raise for both contract years, elimination of “financially unnecessary furloughs that have exacerbated staffing problems,” and commitment to an “innovative partnership proposal” that would expand a labor management committee’s relevance.