
Susan J. Demas/Michigan Advance
BY JON KING, MICHIGAN ADVANCE
MICHIGAN—Approximately 2,000 nurses and healthcare professionals at the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow voted overwhelmingly to give their elected bargaining team the ability to call a strike.
According to results released Wednesday, 98.7% of the members of the Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital-Michigan Nurses Association voted “yes” on the authorization, which took place at various locations over eight days, starting Dec. 4.
If a strike were called, the union would give the hospital 10-day notice so it could prepare.
PECSH-MNA members have been working without a contract since it expired Oct. 30, with union officials saying that over more than 300 hours of negotiations since August, the hospital system failed to offer competitive wages, health care without concessions, and measures to keep caregivers, patients and visitors safe.
“The overwhelming ‘yes’ vote sends a clear message to Sparrow executives that we are fed up with their disrespect and willing to do whatever it takes to get a fair contract,” said Jeff Breslin, RN, president of PECSH-MNA. “We have to get this contract right, because it’s bigger than us – it’s about the future of patient care in mid-Michigan. How will our area’s largest hospital, our only Level 1 Trauma Center, have enough skilled nurses and healthcare professionals to provide quality care for our community? Sparrow won’t be able to recruit and retain high-quality RNs and healthcare professionals for our patients if we accept what executives are trying to push on us.”
A request for comment was sent by Michigan Advance to U of M Health-Sparrow, which sent the following statement:
“We are disappointed that our colleagues from the Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital (PECSH)/Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) have voted to authorize a strike though it is important to understand that no strike is currently scheduled. We remain confident that we can reach agreement without a strike. We are committed to continuing our collaborative discussions with these team members that represent our valued patient care teams and play an important role in health care delivery.”
The hospital system says it is planning to ensure safe staffing levels if a strike occurs and it looks forward to continuing to work in good faith with the union to negotiate a fair contract.
“Our nurses and health care professionals are vital to protecting the health of our communities and the future of this health system. We understand the urgency and the importance of a contract that meets everyone’s needs, while also ensuring our patients receive the best possible care,” concluded the statement.
This is the first contract that PECSH-MNA has negotiated since University of Michigan Health bought Sparrow for an undisclosed amount in 2023. Since then, U of M Health-Sparrow has announced plans to build a $97 million psychiatric hospital in Lansing and has broken ground on a $32 million health center near Grand Ledge.
Coming on top of the nearly $1 billion U of M Health is spending on a new hospital on its Ann Arbor campus, union members say it is clear the health system has money for facilities, but not for the healthcare workers who staff them.
“I voted yes, like the overwhelming majority of my colleagues, because I’m sick of Sparrow executives not taking us seriously and refusing to do what’s right,” said Destinee Griffin, RN, a labor and delivery nurse. “Initially, I was hopeful and optimistic that U of M would bring the changes we desperately need here at Sparrow. It’s disappointing that so far, I’ve seen few, if any, changes at the bedside – on top of how poorly the employer has handled our contract negotiations. Instead of throwing money around on new signs and shirts – and facilities they won’t be able to staff – they should be investing in the frontline professionals who take care of people day in and day out.”
Negotiations are scheduled to continue through Dec. 19.
READ MORE: Michigan Medicine SEIU workers authorize one-day strike
This coverage was republished from Michigan Advance pursuant to a Creative Commons license.

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