After nine months of negotiations, the University of Michigan Professional Nurse Council and University of Michigan Health have reached a tentative contract agreement.
The new 3 year deal covers 7,500 registered nurses who had been working without a contract since March 31st. Nurses will hold a ratification vote in the coming weeks, according to the Michigan Nurses Association.
The association says highlights of the tentative agreement include:
--Competitive wage increases (base of 4% the first year, 4.5% the second year and 4.75% the third, for a total of 13.25% over three years)
--Stronger workplace violence protections--Improved staffing ratios
--No pre-scheduled patient assignments for charge RNs
--Historic gains for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
--Ratification bonus
"This agreement delivers on members' priorities, including competitive wage increases to recruit and retain excellent nurses, better staffing ratios, and stronger workplace violence protections," said nurse Kara Ayotte, who is president of the Nurse Council. "Our success is a testament to not only countless days at the bargaining table, but also to the collective solidarity by MNA-UMPNC members. By standing strong together, we showed Michigan Medicine that we would not settle for less than what nurses and patients deserve."
“The tentative agreement reflects a commitment to patient safety and high-quality care," said Julie Ishak, D.N.P., R.N., Chief Nurse and Operations Executive for Michigan Medicine’s academic medical center in a statement. “We appreciate the dedication and professionalism of both bargaining teams in reaching this tentative agreement. This agreement aims to support our nurses, strengthen our workforce, and ensure the highest quality care for the patients and families we serve.”
A strike authorization vote that had been planned has been cancelled.
