Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Nurses and health care professionals at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow voted to approve a new contract with 95% approval, averting a planned five-day strike. The Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital-Michigan Nurses Association (PECSH-MNA), an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU), said the contract runs until Oct. 30, 2027, and covers some 2,000 workers.
The new contract includes competitive wage increases (with most members receiving between a 20% and 32% raise); large increases in differentials for night shift, evening shift, and weekend work; a guaranteed health care plan equal or better to the union plan the employer is ending; a permanent decrease in the cost of members’ premium contribution to Blue Cross Blue Shield; new language guaranteeing no permanent replacement of positions with subcontractors; and maintenance of open postings for these positions, extended COVID-19 protections for members, increased benefits for employees injured by workplace violence, vacation accrual for salaried members on paid-out comp time, and a ratification bonus.
“We’re really proud that we as a union stood strong to get what nurses and healthcare professionals at Sparrow need and deserve,” said Leah Rasch, RN and co-chair of the elected PECSH-MNA bargaining team. “This is one of the best contracts anyone can remember at our hospital. A great agreement for our members is a win for all of us, because it will help make sure Sparrow can attract and keep enough nurses and health care workers to take excellent care of our community.”