Strike Canceled as Alma Nurses Reach Agreement in Principle with MyMichigan

MNA members will vote Sept. 24 on contract ratification

ALMA, MI – MNA nurses in Alma have reached a contract agreement in principle with MyMichigan, averting a strike scheduled for Monday (Sept. 21). The contract is not final until nurses ratify it; that vote will take place Sept. 24.  

MyMichigan moved off their “last, best and final” offer after the Alma nurses voted overwhelmingly last week to reject it and announced they would hold a second 3-day strike. The MNA state Board of Directors on Monday also authorized a new strike pay benefit to support the Alma nurses.
   
“Our union strength and solidarity have resulted in MyMichigan investing more in nurses and making our hospital better able to attract and retain the skilled nurses our community needs,” said Shenan Shinabarger, RN, president of the local Michigan Nurses Association union at MyMichigan Alma and a member of the statewide MNA Board of Directors. “We want to sincerely thank the countless community members who supported us in various ways throughout this fight for a fair contract. We believe this agreement is a win for nurses and for our community.”

Details of the agreement will not be released publicly at this time and Alma nurses will not be making additional statements until after the vote.

The elected RN bargaining team had been negotiating with MyMichigan for more than 9 months; the nurses’ union contract expired Feb. 16. They held multiple informational pickets as well as a strike from July 3 to July 6.

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.