IOWA CITY, Iowa - Contract talks between University of Iowa Health Care and its union workers start Wednesday.
The union wants a pay increase for nurses and staff members, claiming they make less than workers at similar hospitals.
The medical center has been a major player in research and testing for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines now being used across the country.
It's also involved in 3rd stage clinical trials for the Novavax vaccines. The trials are being used to determine the safety and success rate of Novavax.
Contract negotiations are expected to continue over the next few weeks between the union (SEIE) and the Iowa Regents, which oversees the hospital.
The union represents 4,000 nurses and staff members at University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City, which is the state's largest medical center and is recognized as a research hospital.