LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Unionized nurses and healthcare professionals at UMH-Sparrow will conduct a 5-day strike starting at 7 a.m., Monday, Jan. 20, the union introduced Tuesday night.
The union says it has additionally filed costs towards the hospital with the Nationwide Labor Relations Board, alleging unfair labor practices and a “pattern of bad-faith bargaining.”
UMH-Sparrow and the Skilled Worker Council of Sparrow Hospital-Michigan Nurses Affiliation (PECSH-MNA) have been negotiating contract phrases since August. The roughly 2,000 employees represented by the union have been working with out contract since Oct. 30, and members voted virtually unanimously final month to authorize a strike.
Throughout negotiations, entry to reasonably priced healthcare, aggressive wages, and protected work circumstances have been the details of rivalry, in keeping with the union.
“It’s heartbreaking that we have to go on strike against an employer that seems to have unlimited funds for buildings but is not showing a commitment to investing in the people who actually do the work,” stated Lindsey Davis, LMSW, a social employee in behavioral well being and a member of the PECSH-MNA bargaining staff.
Union members plan to picket outdoors of a number of areas till 9 p.m. every day and won’t disrupt entry to Sparrow services, together with the primary hospital, the emergency division in Okemos, and the Sparrow Well being Heart positioned on E. Grand River Ave.
You may learn Sparrow’s assertion in full under:
We’re disenchanted the Skilled Worker Council of Sparrow Hospital (PECSH)-Michigan Nurses Affiliation (MNA) has issued a 10-day discover of a piece stoppage.
You will need to word that whereas a piece stoppage is now a chance, we stay assured that we are able to attain an settlement with out one.
We’re at the moment taking steps to make sure that – within the unlucky occasion {that a} work stoppage happens – sufferers can nonetheless count on to obtain the identical protected, modern and compassionate care near dwelling.
We take our dedication to the group severely and have a contingency plan in place for staffing. We will probably be absolutely operational if there’s a work stoppage, with security and high quality of care remaining of the utmost significance.
College of Michigan Well being-Sparrow will proceed to barter in good religion with our valued nurses and well being care professionals for a good contract that meets everybody’s wants whereas additionally making certain our sufferers obtain the best high quality of care.
Media Assertion: 10-Day Discover of a Work Stoppage, UMH-Sparrow Jan. 7, 2025
The hospital and the union are scheduled to discount once more on Jan. 16 and Jan. 17, although extra negotiation dates are additionally a chance.
