Special Delivery! Advocating for Safe Staffing at Michigan Medicine Nurses at Michigan Medicine have been filling out assignment despite objection (ADO) forms to protect their licenses and advocate for safe staffing. When the CNO refused to meet with them, they left the 900 ADO forms under the Christmas tree – along with a petition signed by more than 2,000 members. Through advocating, nurses have been able to win shift incentives in many departments to try to improve staffing in the short term. Stay tuned as Michigan Medicine caregivers will be fighting for long-term solutions as they begin to bargain their next contract. | |
Act Now: Tell OSHA We Can't Go Back to Caring for COVID-19 Patients with Simple Masks | Unless the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) acts soon, nurses and healthcare professionals will lose our federally protected right to have an N-95 respirator or equivalent if we are looking after COVID-19 positive or COVID-19 suspected patients. Click here to tell OSHA that caregivers need appropriate PPE! | |
Raising the Bar for Caregivers in Michigan After holding an informational picket attended by more than 1,000 nurses, healthcare professionals, and community members, caregivers at Sparrow continued to advocate for the measures they knew were necessary to keep patients safe. When hospital executives still didn’t do the right thing, caregivers were left with no other choice than to authorize a strike. After 96% voted yes, Sparrow’s administration finally got the message. MNA members at Sparrow Hospital won a fair contract that will help raise the bar for caregivers all across the state through the strength of their unity and solidarity. Here are a few key provisions in their new contract: - Significant raises that reflect the increasing cost of living. For instance, the average bedside RN will see about a 20% raise over the course of the 3-year contract.
- New safe staffing language. This contract includes specific language that says that Sparrow’s administration cannot use the pandemic as a reason beyond its control to not safely staff the hospital.
- Contractually guaranteed PPE including an N-95 respirator or equivalent when caring for a COVID-19 positive or COVID-19 suspected patient. This is especially important given that federal protections requiring PPE could soon expire. (Tell OSHA that all caregivers deserve appropriate PPE by clicking here.)
While we know the fight for a safe workplace will continue, this is a crucial victory that will benefit Sparrow caregivers and their community! When we fight, we win. Because a rising tide lifts all boats, we are hopeful that this new contract will help to improve standards for the greater Lansing area and the state as a whole. | |
Make a Difference on Capitol Action Day As nurses and healthcare professionals, it’s important that we let elected officials know what matters to us. Join us to accomplish that goal at MNA’s annual Capitol Action Day in Lansing on Tuesday, March 22, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.! This event is free for MNA members and nursing students, but space is limited. Sign up today by clicking here! At this action-packed event, you will: - Learn and practice legislative advocacy skills with your peers
- Get advocacy tips and insight from a panel of legislators
- Take a group photo on the Capitol steps
- Participate in face-to-face meetings with elected officials to share your concerns
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Research Study Participants Needed Are you a healthcare practitioner within your organization who cares for families with children ages 0-24 months? Kent State researchers want to understand the different ways you support families with children of that age. The survey should take about 20-30 minutes to complete and is anonymous. Visit https://kent.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_esA4kqQi7lomW10 to complete the survey. If you have technical issues or any questions, please contact the Project SHIELD Team: projectshieldksu@gmail.com. | |
In Memoriam It is with great sadness that we share that MNA labor representative Jamie Bissell passed away earlier this month. If you were lucky enough to spend time with Jamie, you know that she had a fiery personality and she could light up a room with her humor. In her short amount of time at MNA, she moved mountains and was a fierce advocate for MNA members. We are heartbroken at her passing, and she will be sorely missed. If you would like, you can learn more about Jamie’s life by reading her obituary at this link. | |
