Iron River nurses to rally Oct. 17 for fair contract, against Aspirus cuts

Latest cuts end overnight emergency surgeries

IRON RIVER, MI – Nurses at Aspirus Iron River hospital will hold a rally this Friday, Oct. 17, to advocate for a fair contract and protest Aspirus’s continued cuts at U.P. hospitals.
 
In the latest cuts, the hospital will end coverage for emergency surgeries overnight effective Oct. 26, Aspirus Iron River executives said. This comes on top of Aspirus eliminating almost all certified nurse aide (CNA) positions at the Iron River hospital and adding responsibilities to the charge nurse helping on the emergency and medical-surgical units, as well as cuts at other U.P. Aspirus hospitals.

As they protest the continuing cuts, Iron River nurses are united in demanding a fair contract that recruits and retains nurses to work at the hospital and requires Aspirus to continue current service levels at the hospital. Bargaining is set to start soon. The Iron River’s nurses’ contract expires Dec. 31.

“Nurses are standing up for our patients and our community by telling Aspirus ‘enough is enough,’” said Nicole Fedie-Zaupa, an Aspirus Iron River nurse who is co-president of the local MNA (Michigan Nurses Association) union. “Having safe staffing at all times is our top priority. Ending surgeries overnight will send patients even farther away in an emergency. These continued cuts are unacceptable and disrespectful to the U.P. Aspirus needs to invest in nurses and invest in our community instead of making cuts at every turn.”

WHO: Aspirus Iron River nurses and community members 
WHAT: Nurses’ rally for a fair contract and against Aspirus’s cuts to health care
WHEN: 4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST), Friday, Oct. 17
WHERE: The lot next to KFC, 32 Adams St. in Iron River 
VISUALS/SOUND: Nurses in red and community members with signs, chanting and cheering

Aspirus Iron River MNA nurses are showing solidarity ahead of bargaining, citing Aspirus’s actions at the Ironwood hospital as setting the tone. At Aspirus Ironwood, executives refused to come back to the bargaining table last month until nurses filed a federal labor charge and media covered the issue.

Aspirus Ironwood nurses will vote Wednesday (Oct. 15) on a contract proposal. It's expected that nurses will reject the offer. The result of the vote will be released Thursday (Oct. 16).

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