Welcome to the July 2020 edition of the Michigan Nurse! We look forward to sharing news and highlighting stories and important events from MNA nurses across the state.

If you have a tip or story you would like to share, send an email to minurses@minurses.org

Lapeer Nurses Call for Safe Staffing and a Fair Contract 

Nurses at McLaren Lapeer held a socially distant informational picket Monday to call for a fair contract that puts patients first. Members have been fighting for improved patient safety provisions that will protect patients and RNs alike. RNs at Lapeer have been working under an expired contract during the pandemic and have sent a clear message to management that they will not back down when it comes to patient safety.  

You can see images from their picket by clicking here! 

Vote Tuesday and Make Your Voice Heard

Many candidates and local issues are on the ballot this Tuesday (Aug. 4).  

It's important that nurses and health professionals support leaders who support us!  

If you have your absentee ballot still at home, don't count on it getting there in time by mail - drop it off at your local clerk's office.  

If you vote Tuesday, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

You should use the usual precautions against the coronavirus.  

You can see a sample ballot, check your registration, and find your polling place here: www.mi.gov/vote. 

 McLaren Central Nurses Win Strong Contract After Strike Authorization Vote  

With New MIOSHA Enforcement Program, MNA Members Fight to Hold Hospitals Accountable  

After MNA filed multiple complaints with the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the agency launched an enforcement program that provides Michigan healthcare workers with some of the strongest protections in the country.  

That doesn’t mean that hospitals and other healthcare employers are just willing to comply on their own, however. That is why it is so important that we keep fighting to hold them accountable.  

MNA nurses at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor did exactly that when they got their hospital’s administration to publicly reverse its policy and provide an N-95 or equivalent to all nurses in direct care of COVID-19 patients or patients who are suspected of having COVID-19. The reversal came about a week after Michigan Medicine had sent out a message saying they would only provide respirators to those performing an aerosolized procedure. It took RNs making clear that they knew their rights and wouldn’t back down to get the protection they needed.   

Meanwhile, on the western side of the state, MNA nurses at Ascension Borgess in Kalamazoo are also working to hold their administration accountable. When Ascension refused to provide the OSHA logs they are federally required to by law, nurses filed a complaint with MIOSHA and made their concerns known to the media to make sure the public was aware of the lack of transparency. Shortly after going to the media, Ascension sent over the requested logs.   

If you believe that your employer is not being compliant with MIOSHA’s PPE requirements, you can fill out this form to hold them accountable.  

Participate in a Research Project: Just Culture During the COVID-19 Pandemic 

Registered nurses or nurse leaders who provided care in a Michigan healthcare setting during the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to participate in an anonymous survey being conducted by Oakland University School of Nursing. After responding to demographic questions it will take approximately 15 minutes to complete the survey. 

Nominate a Deserving Colleague by Tomorrow (Aug. 1) 

MNA awards several honors to deserving members each year. It’s easy to nominate someone – just click here. The deadline is tomorrow (Aug. 1). 

Awards include: Diversity in Health Care, Excellence in Nursing Practice, Labor Leader of the Year, Cheryl L. Johnson, RN Labor Legacy Award, Nurse Hero, Outstanding Contribution to MNA, Carolyn Hietamaki  Political Nurse Activist, and Michigan Nurses Hall of Fame.  

If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to honor a deserving colleague, now’s the time! 

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