Contact: Amelia Dornbush
amelia.dornbush@minurses.org; 517-896-7478

RNs ready to move forward on improvements in staffing, nurse retention

(Lapeer, MI) – By an overwhelming majority, registered nurses at McLaren Lapeer voted Friday to ratify a new contract with the hospital that includes stronger staffing language to protect patients and wage increases to retain nurses.

Nurses were voting on the tentative agreement that their elected bargaining team reached with McLaren on July 13, after more than a year of contract negotiations. Contracts are ratified based on a democratic vote open to all MNA nurse members at McLaren Lapeer.

The 3-year contract is retroactive to May 10, 2017 – the day after the previous contract expired. Nurses won improvements to nurse/patient ratios and better procedures to address staffing concerns. Assigning nurses a reasonable number of patients will help ensure safety and quality care.

There are also significant wage increases that will help recruit and retain talented RNs.

“Nurses are ready to move forward and build on our commitment to what has always mattered most – making McLaren Lapeer the best hospital it can be,” said Thomas Hall, RN, President of Lapeer Staff Nurse Council. “We greatly appreciate the support from our community and fellow hospital employees throughout this process. With a strong contract in place, nurses will be able to advocate more effectively at our hospital and put patients first.”

The Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) is the largest, most effective union for registered nurses in Michigan, advocating for nurses and their patients at the State Capitol, in the community, and at the bargaining table. 

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