Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals Records

Accession Number: 
LR001909
Extent: 
44 linear feet (4 MB, 42 SB, 1 OS, 1 film reel)

The Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals (WFNHP) is part of the healthcare division of the American Federation of Teachers. The WFNHP began as the Staff Nurses Council of Milwaukee (SNC), which won the right to represent nurses in 1965. Originally, the SNC was affiliated with the American Nurses Association (ANA), but due in part to the ANA’s reluctance to participate in collective bargaining, the SNC disaffiliated in 1977. In 1979, the SNC began expanding to include medical technologists in Milwaukee County and then professionals in other parts of Wisconsin. That same year, the group chartered with the AFT to become Local 5001 of AFT Nurses & Health Professionals. Nurses from Burlington, Sheboygan, and Dodge Counties soon joined the Milwaukee County nurses to form the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals. The union continued to expand across the state and addressed issues and conditions affecting nurses and their ability to deliver quality care to their patients. The WFNHP successfully fought for higher wages, health and retirement benefits, a reduction in non-nursing duties, improved workplace security, and tuition reimbursement for its members. The union continues to represent registered nurses, LPNs, medical technologists, and others in the health care field working in institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, and correctional facilities.

The Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals Records contain documents from the early days of the SNC and the transition and continued affiliation with the AFT. Major topics include organizing efforts across Wisconsin, bargaining with hospitals and other employing institutions, cases brought to the National Labor Relations Board and other governing bodies, grievances and anti-union incidents, and state and national conventions. Issues specific to nursing are also covered, including staff shortages, hospital closing, mandatory overtime, and patient violence. Document types include correspondence, newsletters, fliers and other handouts, surveys, contracts, meeting minutes, reports, and news clippings.

Date: 
1964-2004, bulk 1964-1995
Attachment(click to download)
LR001909.pdfLR001909_guide.pdf117.39 KB