University of Michigan nurses to march through Ann Arbor today
Wearing red and bearing signs, University of Michigan nurses will march today through the streets of Ann Arbor to the U-M Health System.
The protest marks the second march and picket for the 4,000-member union during a contested bargaining process stretching into its seventh month. Disagreements between the two sides involve overtime, paid time off, health insurance premiums and other areas. The nurses have been working without a contract since July.
The University of Michigan Health System said in a release this week that the march does not amount to a strike and will not impact patient care.
“Patients, visitors and staff do not need to worry about crossing picket lines,” the release states. “No attempts will be made to block traffic or entry-ways to facilities.''
Despite the march today, the two sides are trying to resolve their issues.
In September, the nurses union asked the Michigan Employment Relations Commission to initiate “fact finding.” That means each side will gather evidence in support of a favorable contract and then present it to the fact-finder at a formal hearing.
MERC appointed a mediator to help the sides resolve their differences in August. Unlike a mediator, a fact-finder will make a non-binding recommendation on a new contract.
“It’s an extension of the negotiations, and the negotiations can continue up to and during a fact-finding,” said Ruthanne Okum, the director of MERC.
Overall, the two sides have met more than 40 times over about six months.
Okum said the nurses union made the request to the state about a month ago; the state appointed a fact-finder last week. The hope is the process will be complete within three months, she said.
The march and picket will begin at 4:30 p.m. today at Liberty Plaza, 310 S. Division St., and end at U-M Hospital.
The union, the U-M Professional Nurse Council, is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO and a member of National Nurses United.
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
Comments
Polyjuce123
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 9:40 p.m.
What will this turn into? Every time the nurses get whiff of the administration receiving ANY sort raise or benefit "they" didn't get, you can bet they won't let it down until their tantrum of marching and shallow threats pays off. Sadly, that's all this is, is fear mongering and threats. The nurses have some of the best facilities in the nation to work in but still somehow the nurses can't see past their personal well being, and hide behind the argument of "patient care will suffer" but what they really mean is "I will leave if I don't get my way". The nurses are well aware they are employed by a University system with a large endowment and will play that card to the very end. If the Hospital wants to get the greedy money monkeys off its back, it needs to send a message to this union by bringing in outsourced workers (which would do just as well as the "talented and entitled" nurses currently employed) that would be happy.
melons
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 5:33 p.m.
No not every time just after they cry poor and give themselves raises! And also bring in the travelers, that just costs the hospital more money probably triple what I make
Mike
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 12:14 a.m.
So if fact finding is done and it is determined that they receive better benefits and wages than most if not all other hospitals and that is causing the University to be non-competitive I assume they will adjust their wages accordingly. I don't think they are going to receive much sympathy from people living in this economic wasteland called Michigan.
Sparty
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 7:18 p.m.
Yes actually, Henry Ford is quite often rated higher than UM if you followed hospital rankings, which you apparently don't. Need help getting your foot out of your mouth now?
thecompound
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 1:53 p.m.
@melons, don't you think it is possible that patients come to UM hospitals perhaps because of the research, equipment and caliber of world-renowned physicians/surgeons it has, or is it just because of the nurses?
melons
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 11:59 a.m.
HMMM Are they one of the best in the country? FYI we get alot of patients from those hospitals seeking better care here, because what they need done is not available at those other hospitals. And what about our pediatrics? You have childrens and that is all. We have a very high acquity in comparisson
Sparty
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 6:35 a.m.
Get over yourself. Have you heard of Henry Ford? DMC? Beaumont? UMHS is a good health system but isn't the only one in the area to benchmark against, beyond St Joes, etc.
melons
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 2:56 a.m.
sure if they bench mark us against other facilities that are on our level of acquity........... which wont happen
Sparty
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 10:47 p.m.
Some of these nurses are just irrational. They think they should be the only UM employees not paying the same rates for medical health care premiums because of factors that are not even related, e.g.: the new hospital building, the wage rates of people in other roles, the profitability or loss in the health system, etc. The fact is, ALL university employees will be paying or moving to the same benefit premium structure based on UM paying a percentage and employees paying a percentage. Most businesses have their plans set this way and even the State model is now set this way. While nurses may have been spoiled in the past, they need to step up and pay their fair share like every other UM employee and most other Americans who see their health care premiums continue to rise. They want to earn paid time off, PTO, while on short-term disability and not working. They want a better retirement program than every other UM employee. They want to pay less for medical benefits than every other UM employee, despite having the same options as all other employees. Fair? No. Creating a sense of entitlement. Yes! They will keep looking for and continue claiming unfair labor claims as long as they can, but they only continue to look ridiculous in their silly red scrubs. Those that claim they are the ONLY "Michigan Difference" or THEY drive an hour to work, or they comfort the ill so they must therefore deserve special treatment are ridiculous. It's their job -- their chosen profession. Every individual who works has to drive to their job, park, carry out it's assigned duties, and pay for their health care. These nurses show themselves to be out of touch with current economic conditions and really with reality if they think they are entitled to anything. They earn a wage based on economic value and pay benefit premiums based on economic cost factors.
Polyjuce123
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 9:56 p.m.
The nurses "arguments" keep shifting into the abyss of something so abstract, its only understood by them. The arguments put forth on these boards have been nothing but empty threats aimed at making the public feel sorry for them as they pocket 30.00 an hour on average. (And if one tells you they don't know a nurse who makes that...refer them to the UM jobs site). Not one nurse has been able to provide a logical reason as to just "why" paid time off would benefit any part of the health system other than themselves. And then there is the tactic of making the public feel ignorant about health care, we often hear "you don't know anything about nursing" which has a big fat 0 to do with fighting for a perk such as PTO. By now, the administration must know that if they don't hold their ground, they will always be held hostage.
Sparty
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 7:14 p.m.
Nice try Dennis, but most of those facts come straight from the nurses or from UMs benefits websites. What specifically is incorrect? Maybe you can help identify it for us so we can get it fixed? Thought not. In terms of red scrubs, the nurses made a point of wearing red scrubs in solidarity - I'm not sure if it's in solidarity with OSU or USSR, but whatever. Nice try.
Dennis
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 4:45 p.m.
Nice Job Rob You put in the same irrational comments as you last post without knowing the facts. The system is not the same across the board now. Do you have any red in your closet. Should Target Meijer and KMart all stop selling red? Talk about irrational. It seems the only entitlement is your ability to twist fact and pick on people that are trying to stick up for themselve and those they serve.
thecompound
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
prowling and trolling works both ways, i see the same tired posts from several nursing "professionals".
melons
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 11:57 a.m.
Well maybe the people you work with should have said no and fought a little harder also. You know what my job is so now I would like to know what position you hold? I am sure you wont respond but that's ok. You are only here to cry about the fat that we want respect and wont be walked all over
Sparty
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 6:31 a.m.
Because I work at the U and think it's disgusting to see one group try to set themselves up up as elitists deserving of better less expensive benefits, better retirement, Earning PTO when out on disability, etc. Apparently because they think their jobs are better than every other job at the U, including the Presidents. It is ridiculous and trying to game the system rather than paying their fair share. And yes, I do copy and paste - why not, we keep hearing the same pitiful whining from some nurses so why change my reply with the facts?
melons
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 2:54 a.m.
Why do you two prowl just waiting to verbally attack the nurses? And Rob copy and paste much? WHy is it a crime for us to want to keep our current benefits? Just b/c everyone else got the shaft does not mean we have to
Michigan Man
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 1:13 a.m.
Rob - Keep on preaching! In previous posts, I have been saying basically the same as you - only to be vilified, insulted and whined at by the unhappy nurses in the U of M system - If Ann Arbor and the U of M thing is not working out for them - just leave - find your job/career happiness elsewhere - Patients at the U of M system, I would think, are just getting tired of this non-stop noise by those involved.
Bob
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 10:30 p.m.
From what I hear the nurses are trying to pay less for their health insurance than all the rest of employees, period. The rest of the stuff is just trying to negotiate more money for overtime etc etc. Good luck in this financial climate, it's not 2003 guys. The red scrubs they are wearing are a bit weird. Put on a nice grey sweater and go to Ohio State. Maybe they will pay you better?
Dennis
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 4:51 p.m.
Bob Your first line is not true!!! Look at what the afscme folks pay. If we had the contract Ohio state has then we would be happy,as they are paid more get more vacation, have 100% tuition coverage. Why do somany of you not like red,I think I look good in red.
melons
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 11:55 a.m.
A few hours.... since when is an 8,10 or 12 hour shift a few hours.....
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 4:02 a.m.
Professionals work until the job is done. They don't extort more money because they've already been on the job a few hours. Let 'em walk, and get some people in there who are watching the patients, not their own pocketbooks and the clock on the wall.
melons
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 2:50 a.m.
Why shouldn't we be paid time and a half like we are now to work OT.
Bob
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 12:38 a.m.
Ok, so what would you like to be paid for working 2 hours after your shift has ended? How much is overtime? What I really object to is greed being presented as "standing up for patients". It is an honor and privilege to work with the sick. You knew that when you went into nursing. How can you use the patients as your bargaining ploy when this is all about YOU wanting to pay less for your health costs and receive more for your overtime / time off. If OSU is so beautiful, try being "the Michigan difference" there. Let the market decide.
melons
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 12:14 a.m.
Also the U has MADE money over the last year and every year since our last contract.
melons
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 12:12 a.m.
OSU has a beautiful contract actually. And FYI we are not asking for more money for overtime, we are asking to be paid accordingly if we work over our shift hours for the day. I work ten hour shifts so if I stay and work an extra 2 hours I should be paid OT. Why should I be shorted if it is a holiday week?
beersnob
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 8:16 p.m.
The university is just hoping to bust the union up. They want to strip us of all the benefits we have so we are just like everyone else..... people will realize if this contract passes that we will not need a union. Why would we need a union if we have nothing better than anyone else. Also every university employee could have stood up and said NO we are not going to take what you are offering. Concessions when the upper management is getting raises. No we do not want to pay 30% of our insurance. Any group of people can form a union also. ANYONE!!!!!!!! WE ARE NOT IN A RACE TO THE BOTTOM PEOPLE!
melons
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 2:48 a.m.
Do a bench marking of hospitals that have the acquity that we have and we are not paid anymore than they are paid. Benchmarking us against the hospitals that surround us is ridiculous. St. Joe perhaps but they still send alot of there difficult patients to us.
Mike
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 12:21 a.m.
Everyone else is paying 30% of their insurance or more and some don't even get insurance because their employers can't afford it unless they are government employees or in the unions. A very small percentage of the workforce is unionized aND THERE IS A GOOD REASON. Most unionized companies are not competitive UNLESS the government makes them so by mandating things like the Davis-Bacon Act or just unionizing all of our "public servants" where there is no competition and they can give us poor service and attitudes and not have to worry about another company coming to do it better and cheaper. Roads and government buildings would cost a lot less and we'd be getting more for our tax dollars if these practices were stopped. The competition for good empoyees drives up the wages for the good performers and pushes the bad ones out; unless they're unionized.
julieswhimsies
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 7:49 p.m.
I support the nurses. I believe that if nurses were in charge of health care reform, we'd all be a lot better off!
Morph the Cat
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 7:48 p.m.
Nurses receive a more than generous compensation package! ... as do most of the medical professionals employed by the UMHS. To the union, please cease with your silly 'protest' march, put down your signs and get back to work. What a pitiful display of entitlement.
beersnob
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 8:12 p.m.
Yes I do feel entitled to keep the raise salary at which I have built my life around. Why should I take a paycut when others have gotten raises?
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 7:44 p.m.
Maybe we wouldn't have such a pandemic of deadly infections in hospitals if nurses showed as much zeal for their patients as they did for their pocketbooks. Professionals don't march or strike or threaten to strike.
Amber
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 6:49 p.m.
If you really believe the doctors are the ones that do all the work, you are sadly mistaken. Go ahead, tell the nurses that you don't need them next time you're in the hospital, see what it gets you.
melons
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 11:55 a.m.
Maybe you should do a little research and you would see that nurses are not the primary spreaders of this. I have seen doctors an uncountable number of times touch patient wounds without gloves then walk out and move on to the next patient without washing their hands
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 4 a.m.
I'm talking about the thousands of people who die every year because they contract a deadly staph infection *after* they're brought to a hospital. Most of which could be prevented with basic sanitary procedure. As for needing a nurse? All I would need, presumably, is a doctor - a real professional. Anyone can bring the meds, empty the bedpans and fluff the pillows (hopefully not in that order). So, please, walk. Then maybe someone who actually cares about patients will take your place.
beersnob
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 8:28 p.m.
And you really think we have enough power to control the pandemics..... we are just worthless anyway right?
clownfish
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 8:25 p.m.
Except of course for the National Football Players Association (not professionals), and the Major League Baseball Players Association (not professionals) . I know that when nurses work 12-18 hour shifts saving lives they are not committing as much zeal as when they partake in a 2-3 hour march. I think MACSUN should negotiate lower pay for the nurses next time he needs one, he should tell them to their face what greedy, self centered non-professionals they are. The Market will take it from there.
beersnob
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 8:18 p.m.
Professionals do not get walked all over either. Why when we stand up for ourselves we are the bad ones? We are supposed to just lie back and take whatever they want to give us?
Terri
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 7:30 p.m.
xmo, you go ahead and think what you want about where UMHS gets its money, but might I suggest that you find out before you go all weirdly socialist about it? I agree with Susie: I'm thankful every day that the nurses are standing up for what they deserve. It takes courage and I applaud them.
xmo
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 7:15 p.m.
Why are the Nurses "Wearing red and bearing signs," sounds like the USSR on May Day. A2Susie: "The university can afford this, and the nurses have earned it" Really? Where does the University Hospital get its money? I think it came from US, which translates into higher health care cost for everyone including the POOR, Children, the Homeless and you & me.
julieswhimsies
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 7:50 p.m.
The U of M healthcare system mad RECORD profits last year.
A2Susie
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 6:48 p.m.
I am glad the nurses are standing up for their negotiated rights and by extension for the rights of all workers to keep the benefits they have rightfully earned. The university can afford this, and the nurses have earned it.
beersnob
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.
Thank you!