We are disappointed with the outcome of the strike authorization vote from the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) and frustrated with its leaders’ continued inflexibility in negotiations. We do not believe a costly union strike is necessary to reach an agreement on a contract beneficial to employees, patients and the overall community.
The gridlock in negotiations has occurred due to the MNA’s unwillingness to move to a more fair and flexible “market-based” wage structure that rewards all nurses, rather than a select few who have a longer tenure. The outdated “step schedule” the MNA insists on handcuffs Aspirus, preventing a responsive approach to provide a competitive wage to attract new talent, retain current nurses and operate with flexibility in a volatile rural health care environment. Over the past five years, the “market-based” wage proposal we are currently offering would have provided increases which dramatically outperform the MNA’s inflexible “step schedule.” Surprisingly, MNA negotiators want to maintain their rigid structure, even though Aspirus has proposed an overall immediate wage increase greater than the wage increase sought by the union.
Additionally, the MNA insists on including a clause that would require all Ironwood RNs to become members of the union and pay periodic dues. Aspirus cannot support this measure and firmly believes employees have the right to make the decision of union membership individually based on their situation, beliefs and needs.
If the MNA calls a strike, our Ironwood hospital has contingency plans in place to ensure quality patient care and timely response to medical emergencies. During a time of rising costs, falling reimbursement and intense workforce challenges, however, that is not where we would prefer to direct our resources.
We are determined to continue bargaining in good faith to deliver on our threefold commitment to our patients, to all our people, and to the communities we are honored to serve.
To learn more about the difference in these wage structures, additional negotiation proposals and the state of rural health care in the U.P., please visit aspirustogether.com.
