Henry Ford Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc, Mich., has declared an impasse in negotiations with Teamsters Local 332, which represents registered nurses who have been on strike since Labor Day, and said it will begin unilaterally implementing proposals offered during contract talks — including wage increases.
The hospital announced Nov. 5 that union members will see salary increases of up to 8.6% as part of the implementation.
On average, nurses will see a 5.3% salary increase in the first year of the implemented labor deal, with annual wage increases also included throughout the agreement, Henry Ford Genesys said in a news release.
Sixty percent of nurses at the hospital will have an annual base pay rate of more than $100,000, and nurses would also be eligible for overtime and holiday pay.
“Unilateral implementation of the hospital’s proposals makes it possible for the hospital to operate under a new framework that reflects a deep commitment to nurses, patients and long-term care for the community,” Henry Ford Genesys said.
Raises will be available to approximately 700 nurses, including new employees, RNs who have remained on the job through the ongoing strike, and striking nurses who may want to return to work.
The hospital said it also plans to re-extend job offers to more than 40 nurses who have recently declined offers due to the pay rates included in the prior contract. The offers will be re-extended at the new pay rates.
Additionally, “the hospital’s proposals include the same nurse-to-patient ratios that were in the Teamsters contract that expired in August,” the hospital added. “Administrators will uphold those staffing ratios and implement a new unit-based shared governance model that gives nurses a stronger voice in decisions that impact their practice.”
The union and hospital began negotiating a new labor contract in the spring. Members of Teamsters Local 332 began their strike in September, marking the second strike in Henry Ford Health’s 110-year history.
The union contends that the hospital has negotiated in bad faith, and has said management has refused to address nurse-to-patient ratios, proposed reductions in premium pay, and the elimination of certain incentives for new nurses, according to MLive.
“Our members have been committed to reaching a fair deal since day one, yet management forced them onto the picket line for two months,” Dan Glass, president of Teamsters Local 332, said in a statement, according to the publication. “Now, management is attempting to unilaterally impose contract terms. This is unacceptable. We will not allow Henry Ford Health to jeopardize critical healthcare workers and their patients.”
The hospital contends it has negotiated in good faith with Teamsters representatives more than 60 times since the spring. It said “reaching an impasse and implementing the terms of our proposals unilaterally does not mean negotiations are over. We will continue to meet with the Teamsters in hopes of reaching a mutually agreed-upon contract.”
