OPEIU Local 459 RNs

OPEIU Local 459 stands in solidarity with OPEIU Local 40 ✊📣🪧🚶‍♂️🪧🚶‍♀️🪧📣 💪💪💪

Nurses and radiology techs strike against Ascension Providence Rochester, request investigation into hospital The union alleges that the hospital locked out its nurses and radiology techs while planning to bring in strikebreakers from an out-of-state firm.

Local 459 expresses full solidarity with fellow union RNs at McLaren Central in Mt. Pleasant who have voted 96% to authorize a ULP strike. They are pushing for:

* An end to what they consider to be McLaren's disregard for federal labor law
* Fair wages to retain RNs and provide safe staffing
* Nurses and patients, rather than millionaire CEOs, to have a say over the direction of the organization

It seems that McLaren is intent on taking an antagonistic approach to their unions in every set of negotiations across the state. Please be ready to do what you can to show support for these nurses. They are represented by MNA and together we are part of the coalition known as McLaren Unions United, which seeks to make McLaren a better place for employees and the communities we serve.

McLaren should follow federal labor law and should settle a fair contract for McLaren Central nurses immediately.

We have some great news! Today, Registered Nurses at McLaren Greater Lansing overwhelmingly ratified a historic contract, with 85% approving the agreement. We want to give our heartfelt thanks to all of the unions and community members who gave their support during this fight, including the Michigan Nurses Association.

The new contract, covering about 400 RNs, makes MGL’s wages highly competitive in the regional market, improves staffing, and includes a staged approach to eliminate mandatory overtime. Here are the highlights:

* 23% average increase in wages over three years for each member (including general increases and step increases)
* Ratification bonuses of $1,000 for full-time RNs and $500 for part-time RNs
* The elimination of mandatory overtime after one year
* Limits on how many days in a row an RN can be forced to work (until mandatory overtime is fully eliminated)
* Permanent incentive rates for RNs who pick up open shifts
* Improved staffing ratios
* Creation of a new electronic short-staffing report system, with new deadlines for when the hospital must respond to short-staffing reports
* Increased penalties to be paid by the hospital when shifts are short-staffed
* Guaranteed sign-on bonuses and referral bonuses to help recruit new RNs
* Increased shift premiums
* Increased on-call pay
* Increased pay for temporary assignments
* New contract language to address workplace violence against RNs and hold the hospital accountable for protecting its employees
* No concessions

“This is a pivotal moment for our profession and shows that we are a force to be taken seriously and appreciated,” says Tim Zlomak, ICU RN and Local 459 bargaining team member. “Local 459 RNs at McLaren have proven that together we are strong.”

“Being chosen to be part of this amazing negotiating team was an honor," says Dawn Chapel, PACU RN. "My intent was to ‘make things better’ for us and the new RNs coming. I want people to love nursing as much as I do. I believed we could make a difference. We did.” That being said, Chapel acknowledges there remains work to be done. “Things are still broken, but what we have achieved together gives us a pathway toward fixing the system. Our hope is to find joy in our work again, by making sure nurses’ voices are heard in the hospital. Together we can create the change. I believe that. We will continue to work for change. This is just a start.”

We had a great turnout for the OPEIU/MNA Information Picket @ McLaren Greater Lansing today!

Nurses from OPEIU Local 459 and the Michigan Nurses Association delivered a strong message to McLaren today. Thank you to all the community members who came out to show your support for us!

Photos: Nurses rally for better work conditions outside McLaren in East Lansing More than 100 people gathered for a nurses rally pushing for better work conditions on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, outside McLaren Hospital in East Lansing.

The RN bargaining team worked hard to get to an agreement tonight, but after 15 hours we still could not get McLaren to commit to a contract that would fairly recognize the contributions of RNs and do what is necessary to recruit and retain. We need better staffing. Management's proposals do not cut it.

See you all on Monday at 4pm at the picket! 💪🏿💪🏼💪

This morning Local 459 members presented to McLaren Greater Lansing CEO Kirk Ray a petition signed by nearly 600 employees, saying enough is enough. We need an end to uncompetitive pay, excessive overtime, and unsafe staffing.

In addition, we emphasized that we will not tolerate racial profiling of employees. Local 459 members have each others' backs, always.