SSM Nurses have voted overwhelmingly to form a union

In a decisive step toward transforming local healthcare standards, 340 nurses working across 10 SSM Dean Medical Group outpatient clinics in Dane County have voted overwhelmingly to form a union. Securing a 71% majority, the outpatient nurses have joined forces with their colleagues at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital, who secured a similar union victory in June. Together, the combined nursing staff is calling on health system leadership to respect the outcome of the vote and join them at the bargaining table to address critical challenges including severe understaffing, staff burnout, and competitive retention.

The vote follows a growing national trend of healthcare professionals organizing in response to increasing corporate consolidation within the medical industry. Clinic nurses emphasized that having a unified organizational voice will empower them to directly advocate for safer nurse-to-patient staffing ratios, fair professional compensation, and policies designed to protect patient care quality. With clinical studies consistently demonstrating a direct link between adequate nursing levels and positive patient outcomes, staff members express confidence that union representation will foster long-term stability and improved working conditions throughout Dane County's healthcare facilities.