Michigan Medicine Nurses Union reaches agreement in principle

The details of the agreement will be discussed at the next union meetings, and the nurses will decide whether to approve the agreement through a ratification vote "in the coming weeks," according to the release. Press.

More than 94% of the union's 4,000 members had approved a three-day work stoppage, citing allegations that UM had not negotiated in good faith, discrimination against union members, and job changes. without prior notification. Saturday's agreement was reached before the strike.

"Our negotiating team is recommending this agreement because it will allow nurses to continue providing world-class care," Katie Oppenheim, president of the Michigan Nurses Association, said in a news release. "We are proud of our nurses and their continued dedication to patients."

Mary Masson, a spokeswoman for Michigan Medicine, had previously said the organization would take legal action, as it is illegal for public sector employees to go on strike. In addition, Michigan Medicine was preparing plans to hire and train temporary nurses in the event of a strike, given that "the most seriously ill patients in the state are turning to Michigan's medicine."

Dr. David Spahlinger, president of the University of Michigan Health System and vice-dean of clinical affairs at the U-M Faculty of Medicine, said Saturday that he was pleased to have reached the agreement in principle.

"Achieving a resolution is the best possible outcome for our hospital staff, our patients and our community," he said.

Related:

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Nurses suing U-M health system in the middle of a strike vote

The Council of Professional Nurses at the University of Michigan represents 5,700 nurses in U-M hospitals and other health care facilities.