Contact:

Ann Kettering Sincox, MNA
517.349.5640, ext. 242 or (cell) 517.230.4086
ann.sincox@minurses.org

or

Lisa Harrison, MNA
517.349.5640, ext. 238 or (cell) 517.927.6344
lisa.harrison@minurses.org

March 7, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ARMC nurses concerned about safety, loss of benefits

Alpena, MI – While negotiations continue between the Alpena Regional Medical Center (ARMC) management and the nurses employed there, significant issues in the contract discussions have risen to the forefront. The nurses, who are represented by the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA), are alarmed by the lack of input they are allowed to provide in developing contract language for protection in such areas as health and safety. In return, the nurses, unlike other employee groups at the hospital, are being asked to take major concessions in vacation time, insurance costs and longevity.

“This is a classic situation where the nurses are not being treated as professionals and the bottom line is taking precedent over safe patient care,” said John Karebian, MNA Executive Director of Labor and Government Relations. “The only subject ARMC seems to be interested in is what more they can take away from the nurses. These are the people who are taking care of patients without regard by the hospital for their safety or input.”

Facing the possibility of a career-inhibiting back injury is a grave matter of concern for the nurses. “The health and safety issues faced by the ARMC nurses are very serious,” stated Lisa Harrison, MNA Labor Representative. “The nurses are at risk for musculoskeletal injuries due to the physical labor involved in moving patients. We need to address the need for safe lifting equipment, training and procedures in the contract.”

Harrison stated that an additional goal for the nurses is to have a means of protection from workplace violence by adding language into the contract based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.

Appropriate nurse to patient staffing in the hospital is also a concern. “While we have a staffing committee,” said Amy Pfeifer-Twite, president of ARMC Registered Nurse Council I, “it is ineffective at this point. The nurses must have the ability to not only speak to staffing issues, but to be taken seriously and have our concerns acted upon. Our goal is to provide the safest patient care possible and to do that we must have an equal voice at the table when staffing decisions are made.”

The contact between ARMC and the nurses has expired. Negotiations continue at this time. MNA represents the staff nurses, supervising nurses and home health care nurses.

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