U of M nurses to hold info picket Sunday (5/17) RNs are fighting for a fair contract, protesting unfair labor practices

ANN ARBOR – University of Michigan registered nurses, currently working without a contract, will hold an informational picket on Sunday, May 17. They will be advocating for a fair contract and protesting alleged unfair labor practices by the university.

The informational picket is not a work stoppage; all nurses will be participating on their own time. The picket will start at Fuller Park (Field 7) in Ann Arbor at 10 a.m.

Nurses are taking action after months of the employer failing to move on critical issues – including safe staffing, fair treatment of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and efforts to retain nurses. In addition, nurses contend that the university has violated labor law.

“U of M nurses take care of the sickest, most complex patients in the state and we need support to be able to protect that high level of care,” said Kara Ayotte, RN, president of the Michigan Nurses Association – University of Michigan Professional Nurse Council (MNA-UMPNC). “The university is dragging its feet at the table and refusing to work with us on the policies and resources that nurses need. Our patients are counting on us, and that’s why we’re standing up together to fight back.”

MNA–UMPNC represents the approximately 7,500 RNs working at the university. About 1,000 of those are APRNs.*  

The two sides remain far apart on: 

• Safe nurse staffing
• Fair treatment of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)
• Competitive wages and benefits to retain nurses

While nurses have offered staffing solutions at the bargaining table, management has proposed gutting contractual staffing protections, which will put patients at risk and drive more nurses from the bedside.

Nurses have been negotiating with the university since October 14, 2025. Their contract expired March 31.

MNA-UMPNC has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) against the university, alleging that the university is denying MNA-UMPNC APRNs union representation and claiming that large sections of the collective bargaining agreement don’t apply to them.

At least one additional unfair labor practice (ULP) charge is pending.

“APRNs are essential providers of patient care in a variety of settings at U of M, yet management refuses to respect our legal rights and our professional voice,” said Jeremy Lapham, a Nurse Practitioner and member of the bargaining team. “We deserve equal treatment to all other nurses at U of M who are part of MNA-UMPNC. Our union is united in pushing back against unfair treatment of APRNs so that every member has the rights and voice that we deserve.”

*APRNs are RNs with advanced training in the categories of nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists.

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

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