MICHIGAN
M
ichigan 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 bar-
gaining 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 pro-
vide the conditions to help keep experienced
nurses working there," said Danielle Ham-
lin, 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 Ish-
peming, 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 Memo-
rial RN Staff Council. "I am thankful to our RN
membership and their families, who have been
very patient with this process, and our commu-
nity for graciously displaying their support."
In northern Michigan, MNA nurses at
MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena lever-
aged 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.
—Dawn Kettinger
Nurses score series of
collective bargaining wins
A busy summer of bargaining for RNs across state
Retiring soon?
Join the CNA/NNOC retiree division! CNA/NNOC
members in good standing who are age 62 or
are retiring due to a disability are eligible to join.
Dues are only $60 per year, and you will be a part
of an active, dynamic group of retired RNs who
work to continue our vision of social justice and
health care for all. More information and forms to
join are on the CNA/NNOC website here:
https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/
CNA-NNOC-retiree-division
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MNA nurses at U.P. Health System-Portage had tremendous community
support in their fight for a fair contract. Here they attend a popular local event
called Bridgefest, celebrating the unanimous ratification of their contract.
