Michigan nurses score series of collective bargaining wins

A busy summer of bargaining for RNs across state

By Dawn Kettinger

National Nurse magazine - July | August | September 2024 Issue

Michigan Nurses Association members are going into fall building on a stretch of great contracts won through solidarity and collective action.

At MyMichigan Medical Center Sault in the Upper Peninsula, nurses finalized a strong contract after holding a five-day unfair labor practice strike and uniting to authorize a second when the employer didn’t move.

“We’re proud of our solidarity and strength as a union that made this possible, as well as the amazing community support for which we are so grateful,” said Colleen Waucaush, RN and president of the local bargaining unit at the hospital. “This journey was worth it to set up a better future for local nurses and our hospital, which ultimately means a better future for everyone in the eastern U.P. Nurses never lost our focus on providing the best care possible for our patients, and we’re proud that this contract will support making that happen every day at our hospital.”

Over in Hancock, also in the U.P., nurses at UP Health System-Portage ratified their contract, with strong economic gains.

“We’re proud of this contract because it will help recruit the nurses our community needs to properly staff the hospital and provide the conditions to help keep experienced nurses working there,” said Danielle Hamlin, RN, president of the Portage RN Staff Council. “The quality of patient care depends on safe staffing, and this contract makes that a priority.”

MNA nurses at UPHS-Bell hospital in Ishpeming, near Marquette, ratified their first contract since forming their union with MNA.

“We feel that this will help the hospital retain and recruit quality nurses, a vital resource to any community hospital,” said Brett Rautio, RN, and president of the Bell Memorial RN Staff Council. “I am thankful to our RN membership and their families, who have been very patient with this process, and our community for graciously displaying their support.”

In northern Michigan, MNA nurses at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena leveraged a strong position after the Sault nurses’ strike against the system, gaining another beneficial contract.

The string of successes puts other MNA units in a strong position going forward.