Veteran's home workers doubtful about hiring of new nurses - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

WAUPACA COUNTY (WAOW) -- Gov.Scott Walker says his budget will include money to hire new nursesfor a veterans home in Waupaca County.

Thegovernor says the money will pay for 25 new full-time registerednurses and 58 certified nurse assistants at the King Veteran's Home.

Walkersays this will make sure the home has enough staff. The WisconsinDepartment of Veterans Affairs requested the extra money.

"Thatdoes help decrease then on some of the overtime that people areworking right now,” said Carla Vigue, the department'scommunications director. She said it also helps decrease reliance ontemporary workers to staff the home.

Butworkers at the home aren't so happy. They met Thursday in Plover. They told Newsline 9 they're overworked and understaffed, andthey're not optimistic the new nurses will ever be hired because ofpositions they say are still empty at the veteran's home.

"Thereality is that the relief never arrives,” said state unionrepresentative Troy Bauch. “What good does it do to announce thatyou're going to allocate additional 25 RNs and 58 CNA positions atthe King Veteran's home if you can't fill the current vacancies."

TheVA spokeswoman tells Newsline 9 the new nurses can't be hired untilthe legislature passes the budget.