More than 200 UMH-Sparrow advanced practice providers form union with MNA

NPs, PAs and CNMs voted overwhelmingly to have a strong union voice

LANSING, MI – Advanced practice providers at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow have voted overwhelmingly to form their union with the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA). 

The new MNA local bargaining unit consists of 213 nurse practitioners, physician assistants and certified nurse midwives. The providers are employed by UMH-Sparrow Lansing (including the Thoracic Cardiovascular Institute), UMH-Sparrow Eaton and UMH-Sparrow Ionia. 

The union election took place Jan. 14 and Jan. 16; 86% of participants voted yes.

“We are excited to have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect us and our patients,” said Jennifer Alexander, NP-C, an urgent care nurse practitioner. “Sparrow advanced practice providers are being forced to do more with less, which can compromise the safety and quality of the care we provide. Being part of a strong union means having the power to negotiate over patient care practices and other priorities.”

The providers expressed disappointment with UMH-Sparrow management’s behavior during their campaign to form a union, including threatening to deny them a scheduled pay increase and pulling providers into one-on-one meetings that providers felt were intended to dissuade them from voting for a union.

“We are all united in advocating for working conditions that support advanced practice providers and prioritize safe patient care,” said physician assistant Pam Stave, PA-C. “Without a union, we would have no power to stop management from freezing our pay or doing whatever else they want. Now, we get to bring our collective power to the bargaining table and really make a difference for ourselves and our patients.”

Next, the advanced practice providers will elect leaders and prepare to bargain their first collective bargaining agreement (union contract) with UMH-Sparrow. 

“We are thrilled to welcome our advanced practice provider colleagues to the MNA union family,” said Jeff Breslin, RN, president of the Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital-Michigan Nurses Association (PECSH-MNA), a separate MNA local bargaining unit at UMH-Sparrow. “We all share a common purpose, which is to provide the best care possible to our patients and our community. PECSH-MNA members look forward to continuing to support Sparrow advanced practice providers as they bargain their first contract.”

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.