U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township) is coming out in support of nurses in Sault Ste. Marie, who are striking for better wages and benefits at MyMichigan Medical Center Sault.
The strike follows 14 rounds of negotiation that failed to reach a new contract between the Michigan Nurses Association and MyMichigan Health.
In a video statement, Peters said the nurses' demands would help recruit and retain staff. He said physicians and physician assistants from the Detroit hospital, Ascension St. John, are also striking until Friday afternoon.
"What this strike is all about are fair wages and benefits, but it's much more than that — it's about patient safety, patient care," Peters said.
Several nurses have told WCMU they do not have the staffing to fill shifts and feel they're being stretched too thin.
I stand with the health care professionals going on strike at MyMichigan Health in Sault Ste. Marie and Ascension St. John.
— Senator Gary Peters (@SenGaryPeters) April 17, 2024
This strike isn't just about workers getting the wages and working conditions they deserve — it's about making sure that patients get the care they need. pic.twitter.com/lstjNSPyU4
"Every week, people have to wait anywhere between 10-15 hours to see an emergency physician because of low staffing levels," Peters said. "It's not uncommon to wait 21 hours in an emergency room. This is absolutely unacceptable."
The nurses union has also called on a federal board to investigate MyMichigan Health for allegedly threatening the local union president.
MyMichigan Health administration previously told WCMU it believes the latest contract is fair and said the union has no legitimate grounds to file any charge.
The five-day strike in the Soo is scheduled to end on Saturday morning.
Editor's note: In the interest of transparency, we note MyMichigan Health is a financial supporter of WCMU.
