Landmark Tentative Agreement Reached Between Nurses and Management at Munson

(Traverse City, MI) – Nurses represented by the Michigan Nurses Association and the administration of the Munson Medical Center have reached a three-year tentative agreement. The agreement includes provisions to safeguard staffing levels, limits to mandatory overtime, and raises to recruit and retain quality RNs. The agreement does not become final until ratified by a vote of MNA members at Munson Medical Center.

“This is a huge achievement, not just for us, but for our community as a whole,” said James Walker, RN. “We formed a union so that we could make sure our patients always come first. By winning language that protects safe staffing and limits the use of forced overtime, we are excited to have taken a major step toward this goal.”

Throughout the campaign, nurses and community members have worked together to advocate for a fair contract. “We want to thank our neighbors who supported us as we advocated to make our hospital a better place. Every yard sign made a difference,” said Cindy Rydahl, RN. “Together, we can make sure that patients always come before profits in our community.”

In addition to working towards a fair contract, MNA members at Munson Medical Center announced in December that their union had purchased and forgiven $8.9 million worth of medical debt in northern Michigan.

“We are excited to move forward after achieving this historic agreement for nurses and our patients,” said Carolyn Moss, RN. “We are ready to make Munson Medical Center be the best hospital it can in the years to come.”

Further details of the agreement will be presented directly to members and shared more broadly thereafter. The tentative agreement becomes final if nurses vote to ratify the proposed contract. The vote will be scheduled sometime in the coming days.

Nurses first tried to unionize at Munson Medical Center 17 years ago unsuccessfully before winning their union. When Munson RNs formed their union in August of 2017, it was the largest successful organizing drive since Michigan went “Right to Work” in 2013.

The Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) is the largest, most effective union for registered nurses in Michigan, advocating for nurses and their patients at the State Capitol, in the community, and at the bargaining table.

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Contact: Amelia Dornbush, 517-896-7478

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