Manistique, MI –  Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital (SMH) and the Professional Registered Nurses of SMH reached an agreement this weekend. The registered nurses, represented by the Michigan Nurses Association, ratified their new three-year contract this evening.

Continuing to provide safe working conditions and quality care to patients was the number one priority for the registered nurses. The sticking point in previous negotiations was how to ensure that an appropriate number of RNs were available for each shift.  The RNs and hospital administration agreed that:

1. The hospital will hire additional RNs on the night shift seven days a week, and will staff the Emergency Room with a triage nurse seven days a week.
2. New RN positions will be added to enhance staffing and give the hospital the flexibility to develop mechanisms to fill vacancies, including additional part-time nurses to fill in gaps in the schedule.
3. Regularly scheduled full-time and part-time registered nurses who volunteer 14-days in advance to fill a vacancy in the schedule will receive a bonus of $25/shift.
4. The hospital will also hire additional “per diem nurses” who will be part of the union. These RNs will provide supplemental staffing when needed.
5. The role of the Professional Nursing Practice Committee will be expanded to include recruitment and retention of RNs.  Three RNs and three nursing administration representatives will work together to promote new jobs, provide input in the interview process, and continuously improve quality in the nursing department. The hospital will also provide a training fund to be used by the Committee.
6. The bargaining unit RNs will develop a temporary on-call system for 120 days. Non-surgical RNs who take call will receive $3/hr for being on-call and double time if called in.

"The agreement addresses our concerns about staffing levels and gives the hospital the time to work with us to recruit new nurses,” says Jennifer Casey, RN, Chair, Professional Registered Nurses of SMH. “We are pleased we can move ahead. The solidarity of our members was instrumental in reaching a satisfactory agreement. We stood together for what is right, for both our patients and our families. It is extremely gratifying knowing that we stood strong for our principle beliefs and were able to negotiate a fair contract.”

“The MNA looks forward to working with SMH on matters which affect the quality of care and related services that are essential to operating effectively,” says David Perlove, MNA Labor Representative.

As part the agreement, MNA agreed to drop all Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges against the hospital.

 

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The Michigan Nurses Association is the largest, most effective union for RNs in Michigan. As the voice of all registered nurses in Michigan, MNA advocates for nurses and their patients at the State Capitol, in the community and at the bargaining table.  MNA is a constituent member of the United American Nurses and the American Nurses Association and an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.