Contact:

Ann Kettering Sincox, MNA
517.349.5640, ext. 242 or (cell) 517.256.2312
ann.sincox@minurses.org

or

John Karebian, MNA
517.349.5640, ext. 215 or (cell) 517.420.4124
john.karebian@minurses.org

April 24, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Detroit leaders charge DMC to honor NLRB sanctions against
anti-union actions
Community Leaders Demand DMC “Take the High Road” 

Detroit, MI – Leaders from around the Detroit community convened in front of Harper-Hutzel Hospital on Thursday, April 24 in support of the Detroit Medical Center nurses and their desire to be represented by the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) for collective bargaining. The gathering of clergy and other community leaders was in response to a settlement reached with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) last week which allows the nurses to exercise their legal right to choose a union without harassment or intimidation.  Community leaders are appalled that DMC diverted public funds away from patient care to hire the anti union consultant, IRI. 

“The NLRB issues charges only against the most egregious violations of the labor law,” stated Tova Perlmutter, Executive Director of the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice. “The DMC administration has claimed to offer an environment of neutrality but it is clear they have been anything but neutral. This is a time for the DMC administration to rectify past failures by agreeing to a Fair Election Agreement. It is time for management to take the high road and operate at a much higher level.”

Last week, the NLRB ruled to uphold unfair labor practice charges against the hospital and DMC agreed to a settlement that will require DMC Management to cease and desist in anti union activities against the nurses.  According to the settlement, DMC must now post notices pledging not to repeat the anti-union activities and affirming the rights of nurses to form a union. In addition, nurses who were disciplined for their union activities will have those charges expunged from their personnel records.

“We went to DMC Administration several months ago and were told that they would not stand in the way of the nurses forming a union,” stated Rev. Charles Williams, Founder/President, Mary Church Terrell Council for Community Empowerment/National Action Network, Detroit Chapter. “We were not told the truth, based on these charges from the NLRB. All we ask is that the management act in integrity towards the DMC workers.”

President Saundra Williams of the Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO echoed his words. “In Detroit,” she said, “we continue to suffer from economic and social hardship, and political scandal. It is time for community leaders to take control of our city. I call on Mike Duggan and the DMC administration to do the right thing. Sign a Fair Election Agreement now!”