The Michigan Nurses Association has sued Sturgis (Mich.) Hospital, alleging the now-shuttered hospital violated federal law by giving employees just three days’ notice before closing, according to a complaint shared with Becker’s.
The MNA, which represents approximately 17 registered nurses at the hospital, alleges Sturgis Hospital notified the union June 16 that it would cease all operations June 19, laying off most employees, including all MNA-represented nurses. The WARN Act generally requires employers to provide 60 days’ written notice before a plant closing or mass layoff. The complaint, filed July 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, alleges Sturgis Hospital did not qualify for any exemptions to that requirement. The union is seeking back pay and benefits for each day of the alleged violation.
“Sturgis Hospital, which was known to struggle financially for years, should have followed federal law, which we believe required it to give employees 60 days’ notice of closure; instead, it gave employees — including nurses who worked there for decades — just 72 hours, causing significant hardship for them,” MNA Executive Director Janella James said in a statement to Becker’s. “Some nurses still have not been paid their final paycheck and all were cut off their health insurance by the end of June without even rights to continue their insurance through COBRA.”
Ms. James added that the hospital had previously issued proper closure notice in 2022 without ultimately closing, and said the union contends affected nurses are entitled to 60 days’ pay and benefits from the date of notice.
Sturgis Hospital shuttered June 19 after 101 years of operation, citing years of declining reimbursement, rising costs and falling patient utilization.
Becker’s reached out to a Sturgis Hospital contact for comment and will update this story if more information becomes available. The Michigan Health & Hospital Association said it does not comment on pending litigation.
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