Members of the Michigan Nurses Association are set to begin a three-day strike Sept. 21 at MyMichigan Medical Center Alma, marking their second work stoppage at the hospital this year.
The union represents 178 nurses at the hospital. Alma is part of Midland-based MyMichigan Health, a nonprofit system with 12 medical centers, more than 13,200 employees and operational support staff, and a service area spanning 26 counties.
Members voted Sept. 8 to reject what the system said was its “last, best and final offer,” which MyMichigan presented last week, WCMU reported. The two sides have been negotiating since January, before the nurses’ contract expired Feb. 16. Nurses announced the strike at an informational picket Sept. 9 and gave the hospital the required 10-day notice, according to an MNA news release.
In a statement shared with Becker’s, MyMichigan Health said its offer included significant economic enhancements and that it had agreed to the union’s stated top priority.
“We are disappointed that it was not ratified by MNA members and that the union has called a second strike,” the system said. “We do not believe that work stoppages advance either party’s interests. MyMichigan is fully prepared to ensure safe, uninterrupted care for our patients and will continue to work in good faith toward a resolution that benefits both our employees and MyMichigan Health.”
The union contends the offer would not keep pace with rising costs and would leave some nurses without a wage increase in the first year of the contract.
“While we don’t take it lightly to hold a second strike, our nurses have given clear direction by voting overwhelmingly to reject MyMichigan’s inadequate offer,” Shenan Shinabarger, RN, president of the MNA local at the hospital, said in the release. “Alma nurses are strong and united and we will continue to demand respect in the workplace.”
The planned strike would mark the nurses’ second since July 3-6.
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