Contact: John Karebian
MNA Associate Executive Director
517/420-4124
or
Carol Feuss
MNA Labor Communications Specialist
517/230-4086
October 3, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MICHIGAN NURSES OUTRAGED AT
NLRB “NURSE SUPERVISOR” DECISION
Okemos, MI – Michigan nurses join others
across the country in protest of the National Labor
Relations Board (NLRB) decision on the “Kentucky
River Cases.” The decision opens the door
for employers to deny union rights to nurses, thus
silencing the voices of first line patient caregivers.
“Nurses make decisions every day that are
critically important. Some decisions even require
directing other staff. But, that doesn’t mean
we are suddenly transformed into hospital supervisors,”
said Cheryl Johnson, RN, president of the Michigan
Nurses Association and the United American Nurses.
“The Board ignored the realities of a clinical
work environment. Registered Nurses use independent
judgment in their role as caregivers and patient
advocates. Delegating the flow of care for a patient
is part of a RNs responsibility under their license.
It does not make them a supervisor,” said
John Karebian, MNA Associate Executive Director
for Labor Relations. “This decision is a broad
assault by the NLRB on all workers’ rights.”
“Despite what the NLRB says, nurses will continue
to organize to improve their working conditions
and environment for themselves and their patients,”
says John Armelagos, President of the MNA Cabinet
on Economic and General Welfare.
Protection from retaliation, such as being fired
or disciplined, when they voice concerns about working
conditions and patient care is a primary benefit
for nurses who are unionized. This decision puts
both nurse and patient at risk.
The Michigan Nurses Association, nurses’
voice for 100 years, is the largest nurses’
union in the State of Michigan. The Michigan Nurses
Association (MNA) promotes the economic and general
welfare of nurses in the workplace, fosters high
standards of nursing practice, and lobbies the legislature
and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting
nurses and recipients of nursing services. MNA is
a constituent member of the American Nurses Association
and the United American Nurses, as well as an affiliate
of the AFL-CIO.
