JANESVILLE — Brian Ische, a facility maintenance engineer and “proud” member of the UAW Local 95 Region 4, held up his “UAW on strike” sign on the sidewalk outside Mercyhealth East clinic on Wednesday afternoon.
Mercyhealth East, 3524 E Milwaukee St., is an outpatient clinic affiliated with Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center in Janesville.
The 137 union members started their strike at 7 a.m., with planned shifts going until 5 p.m. Ische, who has worked at Mercyhealth for three years, said they will continue to strike “every day until they get an offer that makes sense to both parties.”
The UAW local 95 Region 4 Servicing Representative Andrew Stark gave a formal notice of union members’ intent to strike last week and is handling negotiations between the company and union workers.
Mercyhealth’s “most recent last, best, and final,” contract offer was presented to union members on Monday, June 16, and the membership rejected it, Stark said in his email addressed to Jenni Hallat, Mercyhealth vice president of operations, obtained by The 69, “As a result, please accept this letter as the union’s 10-day notice informing you of the union’s intent to strike on July 2, 2025, commencing at 7 a.m.”
The union’s most recent contract also expired on Monday, June 16.
Ische explained that Mercyhealth had proposed unfair labor practices and that their proposals were voted down due to safety issues, and the goal of better compensation.
“The goal is a three-year contract that is reasonable for both parties.” Ische said.
Cars could be seen driving by the clinic, honking their support and “whooping” out their windows to union strikers as they lifted their signs in the air.
“We’re really happy for all the local support that has shown up as well,” Ische said, noting that other unions in the area have shown up and voiced their support.
Ische looked dismayed as he pointed to the parking lot that was sectioned off with yellow caution tape and security posted in the parking lot.
“We have asked for security for over three years because of the violence that continues to grow,” Ische said. “They refused to do anything, and today they’ve insulted us by having security in the parking lot — so they kind of threw it in our faces.”
He said they taped off the parking lot with the assumption that the strikers planned to damage property.
“That’s not what we’re about,” he said. “We’re about quality workers and represent one of the largest organized labor unions in the world.”
The 69 reached out to Mercyhealth for a statement regarding the strike and what Ische said, but Mercyhealth Vice President of Operations Jenni Hallat echoed her words from last week.
“Throughout our negotiations with the union, we have always treated our 137 Partners at Mercyhealth East in a fair and equitable manner, consistent with our other 8000+ employees/partners. Unfortunately, the union has rejected our offer,” Hallet said in the statement.
“To protect Mercyhealth East’s patients and partners, Mercyhealth will implement a strategic plan to continue providing excellent care to our community,” Hallat continued, pledging that during strikes, “there will be no disruption in patient care.”
A Janesville woman in her 60’s reached out to the 69 stating that this was untrue as she waited for over 2 hours and 45 minutes on hold with Mercyhealth East clinic to speak with her primary care provider Wednesday morning.
Stating, “My situation was not life or death but I don’t appreciate that they said there would be no disruption to patient care and I couldn’t get ahold of anyone at the clinic or the hospital.”
The woman declined giving her name to the 69 and chose to remain anonymous for “fear of retaliation from Mercyhealth” should she be identified.
