LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The clock is ticking on negotiations between UMH-Sparrow and a union of greater than 2,000 nurses and caregivers who’re set to strike on Jan. 20.
“We’re ready to do what we have to do to get what we can get for a fair contract,” says Leah Rasch, Sparrow nurse and co-chair of the union’s negotiation staff. “And right now we’re just all going to work, caring for our patients, caring for the community, and just knowing we’ll do what it takes.”
Nurses represented by the Skilled Worker Council of Sparrow Hospital-Michigan Nurses Affiliation (PECSH-MNA) say that whereas some progress was made Wednesday, there are nonetheless issues the 2 events cannot agree on.
“Healthcare being affordable for us as the caregivers, competitive wages, the agency nurses, you know, getting permanent U-M Sparrow nurses,” says Leah Rasch, Sparrow nurse and co-chair of the negotiation staff. “And the safety, that was another big thing, keeping us safe, keeping the community safe while in the hospital.”
Sparrow nurses picketing. (FILE/WLNS)
We’re upset 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 notice that whereas a piece stoppage is now a risk, 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 anticipate to obtain the identical secure, modern and compassionate care near house.
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 guaranteeing our sufferers obtain the best high quality of care.
Media Assertion: 10-Day Discover of a Work Stoppage, UMH-Sparrow Jan. 7, 2025
Whereas each events would like to go and not using a strike, the union says the deal must be honest, and that whereas the strike could have an effect on sufferers, they’re solely making an attempt to do what’s greatest.
“We are willing and want to do good faith bargaining we want to come back days that we can have conversation and work this through,” says Rasch. “If we go out on strike, it’s not to punish the community or anything like that. We are doing it for the community, it’s what we need to provide the care for the community.”
Union members plan to picket outdoors of a number of places till 9 p.m. for five days, and won’t disrupt entry to Sparrow amenities, together with the principle hospital, the emergency division in Okemos, and the Sparrow Well being Middle situated on E. Grand River Ave. Nurses say they are going to be going with out pay whereas on strike.
Nevertheless, the specter of a strike just isn’t the one concern for Sparrow.
The union is bringing federal prices towards the corporate with the Nationwide Labor Relations Board, alleging unfair labor practices and a “pattern of bad-faith bargaining.”
Sparrow says it has been performing in good religion.
