MNA RNs Make Major Contract Gains Across the State The saying is true: workers united will never be defeated. Even while facing a surging pandemic, nurses across the state have been able to win historic contracts that raise the bar for all healthcare professionals, union and non-union alike. At Lapeer, RNs were able to get management to improve their contractually guaranteed staffing ratios and expedite the process for getting staffing concerns addressed. At War Memorial Hospital, nurses were able to win an average 6% raise in the first year to give them some of the most competitive wages in the region. At Schoolcraft, RNs were able to get contractually guaranteed hazard pay when looking after COVID patients and have their voices listened to when jointly deciding upon a surge plan with management. When MNA RNs and healthcare professionals work together, there is no limit to what we can achieve for our patients and for each other. |
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Using Every Tool to Hold Hospital Executives Accountable As MNA RNs and healthcare professionals, we are proud to use every single tool at our disposal to advocate for our patients and our profession. Sometimes, that means we do collective actions together like wearing stickers, distributing yard signs, or holding pickets. Other times, we use our power as a union to force hospitals to be transparent. MNA recently won two victories by forcing hospitals in Marquette and Traverse City into settlements with the NLRB which required the hospitals to turn over detailed information they were trying to not disclose. This information ranged from details about health insurance to specifics about PPE to wage comparison studies. The settlement requiring the hospital to turn over detailed information about PPE levels is especially significant because it established a precedent reaffirming the right of nurses to request and know how much PPE is available. Additionally, thanks to the advocacy of MNA RNs, MIOSHA has one of the best PPE enforcement programs in the country. As a nurse, you have the right to wear a respirator (N-95 or equivalent/greater) if you are in direct care of a COVID-19 positive or suspected patient. Additionally, if you are worried about possible outbreaks at your hospital, you have a right to request the OSHA 300 logs (hospitals are REQUIRED to disclose these logs upon request). If the hospital does not turn the information over within 24 hours, you can file a complaint. When RNs and healthcare professionals are united, we can make a difference in the lives of our patients and our own working conditions! |
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Fight for Safe Staffing Legislation MNA is the only union fighting for a safe RN staffing law in Michigan. The Safe Patient Care Act would require nurse-to-patient ratios, limits on mandatory overtime, and hospital transparency. To learn more, visit www.misaferhospitals.org. P.S. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to vote! Election day is Tuesday. |
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Please remember: MNA staff are required to wear masks at all times when not working remotely for everyone’s mutual safety and we ask that if you are interacting with MNA staff in-person that you wear a mask as well. As the surge continues, we want to lead the way in terms of modelling best practices for health and safety. Please be respectful and know that this is something MNA staff are required to do. |
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