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Negotiations remain at a standstill, with the union saying Friday it’s pushing back against Mercyhealth’s revised offers on wages and healthcare costs.

Despite persistent rain, the atmosphere on Friday’s picket line was energized as AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” played in the background. The lyrics “it’s alright, we’re doin’ fine, so fine” played while strikers, clad in ponchos and huddled under umbrellas and sipped coffee amid laughter and chatter.

The rally, that stretched from 8 a.m. until noon, was a spirited show of unified support, featuring speeches from vocal community and legislative backers.

Guest speakers, including state Reps. Ann Roe, Brienne Brown and Clinton Anderson, offered words of encouragement, letting strikers know that their long fight is “making a difference in their community.”

Speaker Natalie Colden, a medical laboratory technician, underscored the wealth of experience the striking workers represent and the shifting priorities of the clinic’s management.

Colden shared her initial pride in joining the East clinic, noting the patient care and accountability demonstrated by her veteran colleagues. She detailed how the atmosphere changed following a merger, shifting the focus from patient care to profitability.

“Parties were taken away, or heavily restricted. Fundraising contests were cancelled. Holiday get-togethers were ended,” Colden said, explaining that every decision became “about numbers,” with employees “stretched thinner and thinner.”

Colden highlighted the depth of the striking staff’s dedication, noting that the 137 striking workers represent a total of 1,390 years of experience, or an average of 10 years per person.

“That is over 16,000 months of care. That is over 500,000 days spent being heroes of healthcare,” she said, reflecting on watching babies grow into adults at the clinic. “We have grown with these patients.”

She concluded her remarks with a poem referencing the union’s three core demands:

“They speak of care but chase the gold while risking lives to keep control.”

Bob Lyke, president of UAW Local 57 in Oshkosh, added his voice in support, urging workers to remain unified in the face of employer resistance.

“100 days is a milestone, but they have to stand strong and stick together,” Lyke said. “Companies don’t like unions; you have to stay strong.”

He emphasized that without raising their unified voice, workers risk being mistreated and underpaid.

Enrique Casiano, chairperson of UAW Local 95’s Unit 12, detailed the bargaining challenges which he said intensified after a recent legislative bill prompted Mercyhealth to withdraw a better initial offer.

“Today is our hundredth day out on the line without a contract with Mercy,” said Heather Viken, who works in the optical dispensing section of the clinic. Viken applauded Friday’s show of “solidarity as a group” despite the “gloomy and rainy” weather.

The Cost of the Contract: Reduced raises and soaring premiums

The union’s membership had initially rejected an offer that included a 3% annual raise and an insurance plan with a 7% year-over-year cost increase. However, Casiano reported Friday, after a legislative bill passed, Mercyhealth revised its offer, citing “expected losses.”

The revised proposal reduced the annual wage increase to just 2.5% and proposed shifting workers onto the same insurance plan offered to other system partners.

For striking workers, the shift in healthcare is the most significant financial pain point. It “means a cost to us for the membership of three times what we pay now,” Casiano said.

Sandy Welch, vice president of the UAW local 95, highlighted the magnitude of the proposed increase.

“We are also fighting for our benefits to stay relatively less expensive (rather) than going up by 20%, I think, is what their last contract (offer) was,” she said.

The union has proposed a gain-sharing model that would link member wages to Mercyhealth East’s profit margin.

Beyond compensation, workers are fighting for improved security inside the clinic.

Viken said her decision to strike supports demands for “more security inside the building,” noting a lack of working security cameras.

She also pushed back against Mercyhealth management’s claim that since the strike began in July, patient care at the East clinic has been “business as usual.” Based on patient feedback, “it is definitely not business as usual inside,” Viken said.

Casiano affirmed that the union will not back down and urged members to keep fighting.

“We have to fight till the next contract,” Casiano said. “Because if we get comfortable, this is what’s going to happen: we’re going to be out here again for 100 days or not have a union.”

Viken, who has worked at the clinic since 2022 and joined the union immediately upon her hiring, was resolute in her personal commitment.

“Yes, I will” was her answer when asked if she’ll continuing participating in the strike for as long as it takes.

The 69���� reached out to Mercyhealth for a response to Friday’s rally.

“We are standing by the original statement,” said Therese Michels, media relations specialist for Mercyhealth, in an echo of a brief statement oft-repeated since July.