University of Michigan nurses plan to file 2nd unfair labor practice claim during contested contract talks

The University of Michigan nurses plan to file a second unfair labor practice claim against the university, they announced today.

Contract talks that fell apart in July between U-M and the nurses are scheduled to resume Wednesday. Contested areas involves increases to the nurses' health premiums and other changes to benefits.

In the mean time, nurses union lawyers are gathering a list of alleged violations they say amounts to a new violation of state labor law.

The alleged violation involves the contract talks, a spokesperson for the Michigan Nurses Association said, declining to provide additional details. The MNA is negotiating a contract on behalf of the 4,000-member nurses union.

The nurses are calling a press conference at noon Tuesday to release more details on unfair labor practice claim.

At the conference, they’ll also share more information on an informational picket scheduled for Aug. 13.

The first unfair labor practice claim was filed in June on behalf of a 40-member vascular access services team, who in April were told their work hours would change without UMHS first negotiating with the MNA.

The claim was unrelated to the contested contract talks, a spokesperson said.

The last contract was ratified in 2008. The nurses have been working under the expired contract since July 1.

When a claim is filed with the state, a judge determines whether the claim warrants a hearing, and if there has been a violation of the law, said Ruthanne Okun, director of the state’s bureau of employment relations, in June.

Juliana Keeping covers general assignment and health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter