Tomorrow: Alma nurses to hold info picket (8/18)

MyMichigan continues anti-union actions as MNA RNs fight for a fair contract 

ALMA – Continuing their fight for a fair contract and fair treatment in the workplace, MyMichigan Alma RNs will hold an informational picket from 4:30 pm to 6 pm tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 18) on the sidewalk outside the hospital. The picket is not a work stoppage; nurses will be participating on their own time.
 
The nurses, who make up a local union of the Michigan Nurses Association, have been working without a contract for more than 6 months (it expired Feb. 16) and have participated in 17 bargaining sessions. The Alma nurses held an unfair labor practice strike July 3-July 6.
 
In the first day of bargaining after the strike, MyMichigan reverted to a previous offer of a 1.25% wage increase over a 3-year contract (0%, 0.75% and 0.5%). This amounts to a pay cut when taking into account the rising costs of gas, groceries and other necessities.
 
“MyMichigan executives are trying to break us down, but in reality they’re just firing us up to fight even harder,” said Shenan Shinabarger, RN, president of the MNA union at the hospital and a member of the statewide MNA board. “We remain willing to bargain in good faith, but we won’t stay silent as MyMichigan doubles-down on violating nurses’ rights and denying us fair pay. Nurses are absolutely committed to doing what it takes to get a fair contract and be treated with respect.”
 
While MyMichigan is offering step increases in the first year of the contract and correction of nurses misplaced on the pay scale, nearly one in four Alma nurses would see no change in their wages during that time.
 
Both sides plan to bargain during the day tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 18);  the info picket will proceed unless a deal is reached. Up next, the nurses will hold a community picnic from 4 pm to 6 pm Monday, Aug. 24th at Wright Park in Alma.
 
More unfair labor practice charge filed
MNA has now filed eight unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board that are under investigation (two of those have been filed post-strike). The charges state that MyMichigan: 
  

• Withdrew their proposals because the nurses' union gave legally protected strike notice.
• Without bargaining as required, stopped allowing nurses to trade shifts in advance of the strike.
• Without bargaining as required, changed policies regarding the pulling and assignment of Psychiatric Care nurses to other departments.
• Without bargaining as required, refused to allow PTO accrual on weekend overtime despite clear contract language.
• Talked directly to the wider hospital staff about proposals they didn’t make at the bargaining table.
• Withheld the holiday benefit from eligible nurses.
• Mandated on-call for an OB nurse, violating the contract.

 
A hospital representative also made an unlawful threat against a union representative, saying the Alma nurses would never get a contract after a legally required notice of picketing was given to MyMichigan.
 
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.