Contact: Lisa Harrison, Esq.
Michigan Nurses Association
517/349-5640 x38 or (cell) 517/927-6344
Lisa.harrison@minurses.org

OR

Carol Feuss, MA
Labor Communications Specialist
Michigan Nurses Association
517/349-5640, ext. 21 or (cell) 517/230-4086
carol.feuss@minurses.org

December 14, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEGOTIATIONS STALL AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Registered Nurses Authorize a Strike

Mt. Pleasant, MI – Negotiations between the Central Michigan Community Hospital and the Michigan Nurses Association stalled on Monday after meetings with State and Federal Mediators. Frustrated, the RNs voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike.

This means that at any time the Michigan Nurses Association can serve Management with a ten-day advance notice of intent to strike.

“CMCH nurses would prefer not to take such drastic action,” said Marilyn Sprague, RN and President of the CMCH Registered Nurses Association. “Many of us have been here for twenty years or more and we love caring for our friends and neighbors. We’re part of this community. But we also have to provide for our families and there’s only so much we can take.”

“The overwhelming support of the nurses for a strike if necessary should be a strong indication to management of the determination and solidarity of our members. Perhaps management will begin to take us seriously,” said Debra Houser, RN and Secretary/Treasurer of the Union.

“Management continues to avoid the nurses’ key issues in these negotiations, making the talks unproductive in an effort to damage the morale of nurses. Not only is such behavior not fair to the nurses, it’s not in the best interest of patients and the Hospital’s ability to compete for qualified staff,” stated Lisa Harrison, chief negotiator for the Union.

The RNs most recent contract expired on November 30, 2005. MNA has been trying to negotiate a contract that would recruit and retain nurses by offering a pension plan consistent with the plan already offered to Administration and all other professional employees, competitive salaries, a proposal to ensure unit-based councils to address decisions that affect a nurse's practice and patient care, and a proposal that ensures a joint commitment and process to reduce musculoskeletal injuries in the workplace.

Nurses are among those at highest risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Patient handling tasks, which are often manual and repetitive, are the primary cause of MSDs. These tasks involve activities such as lifting, transferring, and repositioning patients.

Members on Tuesday were angered when they learned of the Hospital’s attempt to reduce the amount of sick leave and vacation available to nurses by up to thirty-three percent and dramatic cutbacks and restrictions on the nurses' availability to take a leave of absence when injured or ill. “We take care of the ill and infirm every day and have committed our lives to doing so. The Hospital’s attempts to erode our ability for leave is insensitive and shows a lack of appreciation for the work we do,” said CMCH RNA member Kaye Koch, RN.

No further talks are scheduled at this time. However, the Association will be speaking with Mediators and legal counsel over the course of the next week to determine its next steps. If further negotiations are not successful and a work stoppage is called, the Association would issue a ten day “intent to strike” notice which would enable the Hospital to make alternative arrangement to move critical patients, delay elective surgeries, etc.

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