Welcome to the November 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

Let’s move a safe staffing law forward!

MNA is the only union fighting for a safe staffing law in Michigan. The bipartisan Safe Patient Care Act would require RN-to-patient ratios, limit forced OT and require hospitals to disclose their staffing numbers. You can help by urging the next step – a hearing in the Michigan Legislature. Email the committee chair to tell him you want this urgent legislation to move forward.

 

Hackley Nurses Win $125K in Back Pay

Marcia D’Oyly is a MNA nurse at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon. Hackley RNs won a contract that guarantees that nurses receive their regular schedule shift differential on PTO. Marcia realized that management wasn’t following the contract and was giving her less money than they should. She took the issue to the local union president. 

Marcia wasn’t alone. It turns out, management had been underpaying nearly every nurse in the hospital. The union leadership reviewed several individuals’ pay stubs and realized the issue was way beyond one nurse’s paycheck. They quickly filed a class action grievance. By being active and communicating with her fellow RNs, Marcia was responsible for Hackley RNs winning over $125,000 in backpay.  

Knowing your contract is the first step toward being able to take action like Marcia did. Click here to view your contract. 

 

Borgess RNs Ring in the Holiday Season with Fight for Safe Staffing 

MNA members at Ascension Borgess Hospital participated in Kalamazoo’s annual holiday parade this year, passing out candy and flyers calling on the hospital’s administration to negotiate a fair contract that puts patients first. Wearing bright red hats, the nurses held signs advocating for patient safety and were met by a cheering crowd.  

 

Macomb County Health Department Nurses Win on Priorities

Going into contract negotiations, democratically elected RNs on the Macomb County Health Department Bargaining Team held conversations with their coworkers to learn members’ priorities. One of the priorities was wanting to win release time. Because there are multiple facilities and no Health Department-specific new hire orientation, nurses wanted to win paid time to be able to more effectively build their union. 

They succeeded! The recently ratified contract includes language that will allow the president of the Nurses Staff Council of Macomb County (or a designated representative) to spend one hour a week doing union work. By winning provisions to have a stronger union, Macomb County Health Department members will better be able to advocate for their patients. Additionally, they won raises, improved protections for just cause employment, and improved bereavement leave.   

 

CE Courses FREE for MNA members

Check out our online CEs! The Michigan Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.  

Here are our current course offerings: 

  • Responding to Human Trafficking in the Health Care Setting (1.5 contact hours)
  • The Opioid Epidemic: History, Patients, Recommendations/Management, and Empowering All Nurses to Effect Change (2.0 contact hours)
  • Alarm Fatigue (1.0 contact hour) 
  • FMLA, LOA, Short Term Disability and Worker’s Compensation: A Nurse’s Guide o Workers’ Protections (1.0 contact hour)  
  • Risks Associated with Lithium Battery-Powered Mobile Carts in Health Care Settings (1.0 contact hour) 
 

Call for Volunteers! Join a Council or a Committee

MNA is a member-driven organization! Consider serving on a committee or council with our union. Applications are still open for the Council on Clinical Nursing Practice, Advocacy & Education, the Diversity Inclusion and Cultural Competency Committee, and the Retirement Committee. Click here to see a brief description of each. Appointments will be made in January. 

Submit a Biographical and Consent form to apply.

 

Join the Michigan Nurses Foundation Board 

Michigan Nurses Foundation has open positions on the Board of Directors for a 1) PhD prepared registered nurse, and 2) registered nurse with a background in psych or substance abuse treatment.  Contact Becky Baldwin, MNF President, for more information or to be considered for appointment. 

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

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