MyMichigan Health and the local nurses’ union in Alma were unable to reach a new contract agreement Tuesday evening.
Shenan Shinabarger is president of the local Michigan Nurses Association chapter. She said the nurses will continue to work toward a fair contact that respects them, values what they do for the community and can recruit new nurses to the medical center as well as retaining current ones.
The latest sticking point in the negotiations, Shinabarger said, was MyMichigan’s latest offer on wages.
“The raise that they're offering doesn't keep up with inflation," Shinabarger said. "Gas costs us more, food costs us more, insurance costs us more.”
The latest failed negotiation now marks 17 rounds of bargaining between hospital administrators and the union since January. A contract with the nurses officially expired back in February.
A spokesperson for MyMichigan Health wrote in statement emailed to WCMU that they remain committed to “good-faith negotiations,” as they head into the next round on Sept. 1.
“These are complex discussions, particularly given the pressures facing health care organizations,” the MyMichigan spokesperson wrote. “Our goal remains to reach a fair agreement that supports our nurses, preserves our ability to provide high-quality care, and serves the long-term needs of our patients and communities.”
The nurses went on a three-day strike back in July, characterizing MyMichigan’s negotiating behavior as “unfair.” They stood in picket lines in front of the Alma Medical Center.
According to union officials, they’ve filed eight different complaints with the National Labor Relations Board alleging MyMichigan administrators have used anti-union tactics during the negotiating process that are in violations of federal labor laws.
MyMichigan did not comment on the allegations when asked by WCMU in July.
On the first Monday following the short strike in July, nurses accused MyMichigan of not allowing them to return to work. Nurses also said that they weren't allowed to trade shifts and that some nurses were transferred to different departments.
A spokesperson for MyMichigan said calling off nurses was unrelated to the strike. They said administrators were adjusting staffing levels based on fluctuations on the number of patients in the hospital.
"We will not be bullied into accepting a deal that does not show respect for our nurses," Shinabarger told WCMU Wednesday.
The union isn't planning any more strikes between now and the next contract negotiation.
Shinabarger is inviting community members to join her and members of the union for a picnic at Wright Park in Alma on Aug. 24 from 4-6 p.m. to learn more about the ongoing negotiations.
