Negotiations continue with McLaren Central tomorrow

Alma, MI – Nurses at MyMichigan Alma officially reached a tentative agreement for a new, three-year contract with their hospital’s administration. If ratified, the deal would become effective immediately and would avoid a strike. Previously, union RNs at the hospital had voted by 97% to provide their elected bargaining team with the ability to call for a strike should they deem it necessary.

Highlights of the new deal include:

• Limits to mandatory overtime;
• Competitive wages to recruit and retain RNs;
• Protecting and improving contractual staffing language.

Full details of the contract will be made available to the membership in the coming days. A ratification vote will be held next Thursday, February 16. No additional details will be publicly released until after the membership has first had a chance to review and vote on the tentative agreement. The agreement only becomes final if ratified by the membership.

“We are hopeful about what our new contract could accomplish for the future of nursing at our hospital, for our patients, and for our community,” said Shenan Shinabarger, RN, president of the local Michigan Nurses Association bargaining unit at MyMichigan Alma. “I know how hard the few past years have felt to those of us who work as nurses. Today, my message is simple. Do not give up. When we work together in solidarity as a union, we can achieve something that would never have been possible if we were just individuals acting alone.”

Nurses at McLaren Central also previously authorized a strike with a vote of 96%. Approximately 100 nurses work at the Mt. Pleasant hospital.

“I want to send solidarity to every single nurse at McLaren Central who might end up having to walk the picket line on strike,” said Shinabarger. “Your hospital’s administration should respect you and negotiate a fair contract. If they do not, know that MyMichigan nurses have your back. We understand that all you’re asking for is to be treated with dignity and to have the resources you need to keep your patients safe.”

Negotiations between nurses and McLaren Central executives resume on February 9. A notice of at least 10-days would be provided to the hospital before any strike begins.

The Michigan Nurses Association is the largest union and professional association for registered nurses and healthcare professionals in Michigan. MNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United and AFL-CIO.

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Contact: Amelia Dornbush; 517-896-7478