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Munson Medical Center and Michigan Nurses Association announce tentative agreement

Munson Medical Healthcare

After more than a year of negotiations, Munson Medical and the its nurses union have announced a tentative union contract.

Nurses have been bargaining with the Medical Center since December of 2017 and even filed charges last year with the National Labor Relations Board alleging the hospital was not bargaining in good faith.

It’s not clear what will happen with those charges in light of the contract.

James Walker is a nurse at the hospital and part of the bargaining team.

“It’s a good agreement, a strong agreement. It has helped us reach our goal of giving us a stronger voice in staffing, limitations on mandatory overtime, and wages that will help us recruit and retain nurses here in Northern Michigan.”

Walker said the nurses were negotiating for themselves but also for the community.

“I want to thank the people of Traverse City and around in Northern Michigan who supported the nurses and helped show how important this was for everyone.”

Dianne Michalek is the Vice President of Corporate Communications for Munson Medical.

“This tentative agreement takes into account what is best for our entire healthcare team, our patients, and our community. And it affirms that Munson Medical is a great place to work.”

                      

The three year contract still needs to be ratified by union members.