(WWJ) Union leaders for some health care workers at a Macomb County hospital are delivering a petition today with demands for more sick time, hazard pay and personal protection equipment during the coronavirus outbreak, WWJ Newsradio 950's Rob St. Mary reports.
Local 40 of the Office and Professionals Employees International Union say over 1,200 people have signed a petition to the CEO of McLaren Macomb Hospital.
"Avoiding taking action to protect workers in the hospital is a horrific thought. Telling us that this is what we signed up for is false and offensive. We have a duty to our patients, which we are doing, and it is the duty of the McLaren Corporation to protect and support front-line workers," Dina Carlisle, Local 40 Vice President and RN at the hospital, told the Macomb Daily.
Nurses at the Mount Clemens hospital want an additional 80-hours of sick time to cover 14 days out if they come down with the virus without having to dip into other time off like vacation time.
Meanwhile, McLaren is planning to temporarily furlough up to 500-employees due to budget concerns.
The union says McLaren Macomb has until Monday April 20th to respond or other collective action could take place.
