Welcome to the May 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

COVID-19 Hardship Grants Available for Members

The Michigan Nurses Foundation has established a COVID Hardship Fund for Michigan Nurses Association members. 

To be eligible, nurses and other health care professionals must be members in good standing. There are two COVID hardship grants available (members can apply for one grant):

  • $500 to make up for decreased income from reduced hours, or
  • Up to $500 to pay for unreimbursed relocation expenses

Those who qualify can apply and submit supporting documents here. The fund is possible due to the generous support of the Michigan Nurses Association plus community donations.

If you need help, please reach out. The fund is committed to helping as many MNA members as possible. If you can give help, please consider donating.

 

MNA stays visible on the state level, connected with the governor

MNA has been active in making our issues heard on the state level, including interactions with Governor Gretchen Whitmer:

  • President Jamie Brown spoke at a press conference with the governor about the need for federal funding for Michigan, especially for frontline workers;
  • Interim Executive Director Diane Goddeeris had a call with the governor during which she expressed MNA’s priorities;
  • Nurses held a Zoom call with the governor to share their experiences; 
  • PECSH member Terry Ballinger was selected to serve on a state task force about behavioral health; and
  • MNA filed an amicus brief supporting the governor’s stay home, stay safe order, which has prevailed in court thus far.

We will continue to advocate for MNA’s priorities in a bipartisan manner whenever and wherever possible. 

 

Huron Valley-Sinai nurses score major victory

In a resounding win for the rights of union nurses at Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital and across the country, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has affirmed a judge’s rulings on charges filed by the Michigan Nurses Association.

The Board affirmed the hospital violated the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) by:

  • Unilaterally changing its prior practice of allowing nurses to cover for each other for meal breaks
  • Unilaterally ceasing to consider nurses’ requests to combine 30-minute meal breaks with 15-minute rest breaks on a case-by-case basis
  • Denying nurses breaks on April 14 and 15, 2018
  • Refusing to provide the nurse bargaining team with exit interviews it had requested to evaluate staffing concerns

The Board ordered the hospital to cease and desist from illegal activity and to post notices confirming the nurses’ rights and a commitment not to repeat the violations. 

 

McLaren Nurses Hold Socially Distant Picket

Nurses at McLaren Central Michigan Hospital in Mt. Pleasant held an informational picket, advocating for the hospital to provide improved COVID-19 protections and more transparency in the short term, as well as to agree to a fair contract that will allow the hospital to recruit and retain quality RNs in the long term. McLaren RNs have been working with an expired contract throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

“Nurses are on the front lines. Why should our CEO have a multi-million-dollar salary when those resources are needed elsewhere?” said Jaime Peska, RN. “Our hospital should be putting patients before profits.”  

 

Nominate a deserving colleague by Aug. 1

MNA awards several honors to deserving members each year. It’s easy to nominate someone – just click here. The deadline is 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!

 

White ribbons support nurses and other healthcare professionals

The image of a white ribbon has sprung up as a way to show support for nurses and other healthcare professionals during this difficult time. To help spread the word, MNA created a frame that can be used on your Facebook profile picture; you can get it here.

 

Michigan Nurses Association
2310 Jolly Oak Road | Okemos, MI  48864
(517) 349-5640 | minurses@minurses.org

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