Nurses, University of Michigan reach tentative agreement on contract
Karen Koslowsky shows her support as one of the over 400 nurses and supporters who took part in a rally at Liberty Plaza in downtown Ann Arbor and a march to the University of Michigan Hospital on Wednesday, October, 12, 2011.
Jeff Sainlar I AnnArbor.com
The two sides are expected to finalize the language of the new contract Monday after meeting more than 40 times since April in a contract battle that involved marches and pickets, the threat of a strike and intervention by the Michigan Employment Relations Commission. The two sides last met on Thursday for a bargaining session that stretched into the early hours today.
Disagreements have involved the nurses' contributions to health insurance premiums, paid time off and overtime.
Next week, the nurses will announce its plans for a ratification vote on the contract.
A representative from the Michigan Nurses Association, the organization bargaining on behalf of the nurses, could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.
The health system confirmed the news posted on the nurses' web site and said it will have more information to share after the ratification vote.
Read the announcement below:
We are pleased to announce that we reached a tentative agreement with UMHS at 2:30 am. The entire bargaining team supports and recommends this agreement for member approval. Some of us will be meeting with a subgroup of the management team to finalize the language of the agreement on Monday. We will be meeting with our Second Table on Thursday. After the Second Table meeting, we will announce ratification meeting dates, times and locations. As in the past, the details of the package will be released and posted on the website at the time of the first ratification meeting.
Juliana Keeping covers general assignment and health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. Follow special project Viking's War on Facebook and Twitter
Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
Cheryl Weber
Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 1:12 a.m.
I believe SOME nurses are great and dedicated. However, the current standard of care once you are in a room, on a floor, is lacking; in my experience. Common hygiene is not supported. People are released with care instructions they or their family do not have the skills to follow. Medications and treatment for conditions other than what the person was hospitalized for are often suspended and overlooked in instruction for discharge resulting in confusion and disruption in a continuity of care needed for a return to stable health. Nurses today earn pretty good wages. Working conditions, especially scheduling, can always be improved. I was shocked to learn some tim ago that a nurse left her profession to drive a bus, because she could earn more money. Why do we have MERSA. Why can a patient emerge from an overnight hospital stay and discover they have acquired head lice. Why was the area of my surgery not cleansed before I woke, or even before I went home to find that I still had blood and other material in my hair. How can a trained, professional nurse be so reticent about the human body that the patient would be told that packing material was not there. Then end up tearful and frightened, removing it herself, in hopes that nothing would go wrong. For the sake of all workers; I am glad the nurses were successful. When other workers, no longer have jobs, have accepted cocessions, or have not had a raise in many years; it is disturbing to hear that the people who deliver the most expensive services we rely on have bargained for a 12+% increase. I will be listening Monday when the details are officially released.
John Armelagos
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 4:31 p.m.
Dear joe.blow, Don't understand the nature of your anger. The Constitution protects citizens right of association and the Wagner Act reinforces that right of workers being able to form a union. joe.blow you have appropriately named yourself as you are misinformed too--(Ever wonder why there isn't such a thing as a Doctor's union? Because it's illegal! Doctors are supposed to care more about their patients then themselves, apparently not so true with nurses.) There are no laws prohibiting MD's from organizing. In fact, there are some MD unions in the country. Joe, we really need to move toward a more compassionate, more informed nation...try to do a bit better, Joe...let your anger subside.
clownfish
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 12:54 p.m.
Simple solution that think nurses are overpaid and underworked, refuse their care if you find yourself in the hospital. You are free to shop around for cheaper care. If you do decide to use these nurses, remember to tell them to their face that you find their actions reprehensible, I recommend you do this before they change your bedpan or IV. As they change your bloody dressing tell them they are overpaid, when they come to give you your pain meds, let them know they are lazy and, if you find one performing CPR on you...refuse to have them do it, any janitor (non-union of course) can do what they do, right?
Lac Court Orilles
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 11:18 a.m.
Governor Rick Snyder and Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville will be very very very mad that nurses didn't take major pay cuts, loss of health benefits, and ruination of their right to collective bargaining. Look for Snyder and Richardville to seek revenge against nurses in the future.
joe.blow
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 4:27 a.m.
Glad you threatened to walk out on patients for more money .... so that you could take a stand for patients. Petty. Very petty.
Chancey's mom
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 12:10 a.m.
I read comments for articles like this the same way people slow down on highways to look at an accident. I'm not sure why I subject myself to evidence of such hatred in our community. What I have found that helps me accept the negative, and sometimes downright vitriolic, commenters is to think of it like this: nurses, teachers, first responders, social workers, and the like are mission-driven. Mission-driven careers are for those who want to make a difference in the lives of the hurting, scared, neglected, young, or growing. The most vulnerable in our society. This means a world of difference from other workers who are in jobs that are cut-throat professions, even proverbial ladder climbing or even punching a time clock. All professions/jobs/careers can be honorable. (I'd be surprised to find an AnnArbor.com reader who isn't!) But the criticism of the mission-driven worker is most cutting as these professionals often give and give and give and give to those they serve only to be devalued for their offerings when the budget needs chopped. It is the lack of respect for a hard-job done in hard circumstances that is demoralizing. It is the selfless devotion and donation of one's own time, money, and heart that seems most undervalued in times like this. These mission-driven professionals deserve our support. As much as we can scrape together. And, yes, there is always a bad apple in the bunch. But do not let this taint the batch! They give of themselves.
CincoDeMayo
Thu, Oct 27, 2011 : 4:35 a.m.
@Chancey's mom, So very well-said. @Basic Bob, For the work that they do, the paycheck is okay. No more, no less. I would consider it okay money - enough to take care of a family and keep them in the basics of the day. I have to agree with Chancey's mom: For the majority of these workers - nurses, firefighters, police officers, social workers, etc. - it is really their sense of responsibility to others and their community that keeps them in the job.
Basic Bob
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 10:52 a.m.
While I appreciate the hard work these people do, let's not elevate them above the rest of us. They show up to work for the same reason as everyone else - a paycheck. We should also thank all the hard working stiffs you demean as cut-throats, ladder-climbers, and clock-punchers. They pay good money for your "selfless devotion".
snapshot
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:13 p.m.
Only in government could you "bargain" for overtime. No profit or performance incentives and thebelief there's a neverending money supply.
Matt Cooper
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 10:38 a.m.
snapshot: UM has actually been involved in several very comprehensive studies of all those issues for years. Again, as I pointed out to another poster, why not check your facts before posting. And these aren't just studies. We've taken results from these studies and implemented them in every day practice. I really wish people would make sure they knew what they were talking about before commenting.
snapshot
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 3:54 a.m.
Mini.....Can you provide specific examples that can be verified where you have been "forced" to work 16 hour shifts? Just what is considered "safe" staffing and who determines the acceptable level?
snapshot
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 3:51 a.m.
David Paris, How about minimizing staff infections caused by lack of handwashing, zero tolerance for mistaken medication, mandatory flu shots and vaccinations for nurses or mandatory masks with patient disclosure, and mandatory drug testing for both doctors and nurses. These are some issues I'd like to see evaluated.
Matt Cooper
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 2:33 a.m.
We save lives every single day of the week. What more "performance incentives" could you possibly ask for?
David Paris
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 12:53 a.m.
Can you give me an idea of what a hypothetical "profit & performance incentive" might be for a nurse, that'd be real interesting?
mimisays
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 11:25 p.m.
We don't "bargain" for OT. We stand up for ourselves in the bargaining process to avoid nurses being forced to work mandatory overtime in excess of 16 hours. We want safe staffing in our departments, where life and death decisions depend on our mental acuity. Is this asking too much?
Em
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.
As an RN at the hospital, all I ask is that my fellow nurses please think before commenting or responding to others comments (no matter how demeaning or upsetting they may be). Although you may be speaking your own opinions, it unintentionally reflects on the rest of us. We will see what the terms of the contract are on Monday and hope/pray that it is what is best for all involved. Thank you.
jrigglem
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 10:50 p.m.
@a2zoo I'm not a nurse, but most days I feel that way too :)
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:42 p.m.
I am sorry Em, I will try to keep my mouth shut. But I am really tired of listening to these people.
Chelsea8226
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:23 p.m.
Em I agree with you and look forward to Monday. I think a TA is a step in the right direction and have faith in the bargaining team and their efforts.
Chelsea8226
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
I have not been made aware of the contents of the TA yet, but I am SHOCKED that the citizens reading this and commenting continue to be so negative. This is proves that those making the negative comments are those who will never be happy, they are just there to stir the pot. This is a GOOD thing citizens of Ann Arbor! The University and UMNPC have worked together to come to a TA. I'm sure both sides had give and take but in the end it is the patients who will benefit from this TA. They will continue to receive exceptional care from the highly skilled and professional nurses who work at the U. This just proves that the nurses don't want to strike. All they wanted was a fair contract and bargaining. A BIG THANK YOU to the UMPNC for continuing to work with the University for the last few months and fight for their members.
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:38 p.m.
Yeah, they could. But the matching amount is not in the contract. They could do that to everyone, at some point they might. But they have come out and said at this point there is no plan to do so. I am fairly certain it is not part of this contract.
beersnob
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.
The fact that it is university wide does not mean we can not be asked to give it up. AFSCME and Skilled trades still have "seasonal days" and we gave those up 4 contractds ago. Everyone else is paying 30% and we are not. Nothing can be granted university wide..... they can ask us to give up anytihng they want
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9 p.m.
Beersnob, I have no idea what is in the TA. I figure that the nurses are going to end up giving somethings up and gaining somethings, as in any contract. However, I am fairly certain that the retirement match was not on the table. That is a university wide benefit, and as all these haters here would have pointed out, everyone else would have given that up to if they had asked the nurses to give it up. It is not even part of the last contract, it is a university wide benefit.
beersnob
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
A2 so you know what is even in the TA? I myself am a bit nervous about what might be brought to the table
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:32 p.m.
The problem is that most of the people posting here have wished for nothing more then for the nurses to be pounded into submission. The reason for this is obviously due to the fact that nurses are vile, greedy, selfish, patient haters who care only about getting more then all the other workers in the hospital. I am sure that when the contract comes out, there is give and take. However, much to the hatemongers, umm, hate, the nurses were NOT pounded into submission. Now go find someone else to hate on, haters!!!
PLGreen
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 7:49 p.m.
Right On a2zoo
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:16 p.m.
Maybe they should get a haters union, they seem so jealous of the Nurses union.
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:10 p.m.
Loving it!!! So, to use one of the haters words "fatiqued" by them.
beersnob
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 7:45 p.m.
I am a nurse and I just want to say do not start the celebrating too soon. We are yet to see what is being offered, or what is being taken away. I for one would rather pay 30% than lose my retirement matching.......
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:35 p.m.
The age of retirement, not the matching amount.
Chelsea8226
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:07 p.m.
beersnob you are correct, the U did want it written out of the contract and it was/is on the table
beersnob
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:57 p.m.
I was told that the U wanted to have it written in our contract that they could change the retirement at their discretion.....
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
You are not going to lose your retirement matching. That was not even on the table.
Fran Wakefield
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 7:38 p.m.
Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it!
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:45 p.m.
Ok, I am going to wish for some winning lotto numbers.
Terri
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.
Rob, you're wrong. They weren't fighting for something better than other U-M employees get. They were fighting to keep from losing what little ground they'd made in the last few years. I don't understand the anger toward the nurses. They're in a union. Do y'all get pissy and stomp around about UAW? The nurses didn't strike, even. There was a protest, there was a march, and all the while, nurses were working, taking care of patient. There was no mass calling in sick or work slowdown.
Sam Smith
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 7:25 p.m.
@Alan Goldsmith What's more disturbing to me is some of the nurses' posts.
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:07 p.m.
What is more disturbing to me is some of the haters posts!!!
Alan Goldsmith
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 7:04 p.m.
The amount of hatred directed against the hard working Nurses at the U of M is truly stunning.
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:13 p.m.
yeah Rob, it was all about getting more then you!! Yep, that's what it was. Yep.
Sparty
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 7:20 p.m.
No hatred from me at least -- I really admire most nurses and the work they do. I just wish they had acted with more professionalism and honesty during this entire process instead of claiming they were doing with they were on behalf of patients, or that they were not trying to get something better than the rest of us who work at UM (which they clearly were), etc. Facts are facts, if that had been straight up, that they were fighting for something better for themselves you could at least say ok and see how that goes but there were just too many "mistruths" and unprofessional behaviors that have hurt their profession. I wish them well personally as this winds down.
Polyjuce123
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 7:07 p.m.
Had to re-post huh? You must be late on the discussion, its no secret nurses are hard working. What they are doing however, is leveraging the ills of patients (who have nothing to do with their greed and fighting) to imply a "poor me factor" on the public and enhance their chances of getting what they want.
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 6:45 p.m.
Ahhh the whiney little Ann Arborites continue to come out of the woodwork. Sorry people, the UM Nurses stood up for themselves because they could and they had a right to make such a stand. There was no backing down to corporate greed and they seem to have won!!!! So, go ahead and continue to cry about it like the sniveling little whiners that you are, even if it isn't any of your business. The UM Nurses have a tentative contract and you don't!!!! Hahahahaha!!!
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:50 p.m.
Ellen, the thanks was sarcasm too.
Ellen
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:38 p.m.
A2zoo -- it was sarcasm. Sorry, but I think your in-your-face comments are NOT professional. Please remember that you represent U of M. Love it or hate em, it's our employer and a very big part of this city/community/state.
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:31 p.m.
Thanks Ellen!!!
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:26 p.m.
And ya know what Sam Smith, I am a nurse. A proud one, I know what it takes, I know the care that we provide for our patients, I know what it takes to be a nurse. And yes, I chose it, I love it, and I am inspired everyday by the fact that we can make the worst days of someones life a little easier to take. I am also a human being, and I have had it with you morons coming on here and blogging about what a bunch of terrible people we are for standing up for ourselves and fighting for a fair contract, because we can, it is legal and it is our right. We never would have endangered patients, we never threatened patient care. Had there been a strike, there were plans to make sure that any patient that needed specialty care, care that could not have been provided by scabs, would have been taken care of. We never would have abandoned our patients as this community, that I grew up in, and was once proud of, has abandoned us. The fact that all of you people suggest that we do not care about our patients, abour out community shows nothing more then your ignorance. You do not know me, but believe me, if you are in the hospital, you want me or one of my fellow nurses taking care of you. You would not only hope I am a nurse, but be glad to have me
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:25 p.m.
And ya know what Sam Smith, I am a nurse. A proud one, I know what it takes, I know the care that we provide for our patients, I know what it takes to be a nurse. And yes, I chose it, I love it, and I am inspired everyday by the fact that we can make the worst days of someones life a little easier to take. I am also a human being, and I have had it with you morons coming on here and blogging about what a bunch of terrible people we are for standing up for ourselves and fighting for a fair contract, because we can, it is legal and it is our right. We never would have endangered patients, we never threatened patient care. Had there been a strike, there were plans to make sure that any patient that needed specialty care, care that could not have been provided by scabs, would have been taken care of. We never would have abandoned our patients as this community, that I grew up in, and was once proud of, has abandoned us. The fact that all of you people suggest that we do not care about our patients, abour out community shows nothing more then your ignorance. You do not know me, but believe me, if you are in the hospital, you want me or one of my fellow nurses taking care of you. You would not only hope I am a nurse, but be glad to have me.
Ellen
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:03 p.m.
A very professional and compassionate sentiment from someone who is taking a stand for the patients. Bravo!
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:13 p.m.
Yes Joe, the UofM is in it all for the good of mankind!!! They don't care about making a ton of money, nah!!
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:06 p.m.
And I hope you aren't.
Sam Smith
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 7:26 p.m.
I hope you're not a nurse!
Sparty
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 7:14 p.m.
SOMEONE is celebrating but I'd bet that they don't know the details of the tentative contract yet either. I'm betting with the outpouring of support that the University (and NOT the nurses) received, that the settlement weighed closer to UM's position than to the greedy and unprofessional nurses. Look at this poster --- calling people sniveling little whiners, saying it's none of our business, when they pushed it down our throats for months. The egos and sense of entitlement never ends, does it.
joe.blow
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 7:02 p.m.
Corporate greed? UofM is a cooperation now? Hmm, what is their stock symbol? You threatened patient safety to get what you wanted, you're part of the problem! UofM is funded by the state, you've cost all tax payers more money. It just so happens that the hospital division is financially stable, but they still are apart of the state university.
joe.blow
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 6:16 p.m.
Taking a stand for their patients be demanding more money, less hours, and a better benefits package. Yes, it's obvious they really care. Ever wonder why there isn't such a thing as a Doctor's union? Because it's illegal! Doctors are supposed to care more about their patients then themselves, apparently not so true with nurses. In Minnesota, nurses walked off the job, leaving thousands of patients being taken care of by emergency staffing. The hospitals caved (those evil jerks) and the nurses got more money and started to care for patients again. I love unions, master spinners. I bet if we looked at all 4 year degrees, nurses would be in the top 1% of earners for hours worked.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 1:02 p.m.
Blow wrote: "Most 4 year degrees make the low 40's." Wrong. A 25-year old with a 4-year degree makes ON AVERAGE $58,000 per year. Source: <a href="http://militaryfinance.umuc.edu/education/" rel='nofollow'>http://militaryfinance.umuc.edu/education/</a> And just in case you don't know this, Blow, $58K >>>>>>> $40K Good Night and Good Luck
Matt Cooper
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 10:40 a.m.
There is no doctors union? You mean residents aren't doctors??? Well, well, well! I'll have to go tell them all to remove that silly little MD insignia from their lab coats!!!! And yes it is in fact a union. Why not try checking out their website. Nah. That would require an open mind. Sorry for suggesting such a thing.
joe.blow
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 4:23 a.m.
Seems like there are less custodial staff at UofM all of a sudden. But enough about those ants, there are angry nurses on the loose who might strike on behalf of patients. THERE IS NO DOCTOR'S UNION! Yes, there is a residents union, but that's because they are considered educational status and it's the only one in the country. Doctors don't run the hospital, administrators do and guess what, there are more nurse administrators than physician. True, medical policy is generally written/approved by a physician, but that's because of legal reasons. Most 4 year degrees make the low 40's. Nurses make mid to upper 50's and can make much much more with time (not skill). I should have been a nurse! Stop your complaining, it makes you look petty.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 3:35 a.m.
Yes, Joe, Patients would be well-served if nurses worked 60-hour weeks and received less pay. I'm certain the nurses' job performance would not suffer under those circumstances. Good Night and Good Luck
Matt Cooper
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 2:28 a.m.
Hey joe, here's a thought: Try doing a little fact checking before spewing your senseless hatred of nurses. There is in fact a doctors union. It's called the University of Michigan House Officers Association. <a href="http://www.umichhoa.com/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.umichhoa.com/</a> Funny how silly people make themselves look when they choose to not arm themselves with actual facts.
a nurse
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 9:47 p.m.
I would like to let you know that the wage comparisons for 4 year RNs is not favorable as you suspect. Additionally, the earning curve is flat in comparison. That is to say that in future years after graduation, the wage for an RN doesn't continue to increase at the rate of the other professions. I have cared for, not just physically but emotionally, thousands of patients from all walks of life and in amazing situations; from explaining what that doctor just actually said, to holding hands and caressing cheeks and cradling bereaved spouses as they cry. I have administered complex medications and titrated their doses on a minute to minute basis throughout the night while their doctors slept peacefully away. We nurses make human the business that is health care, we earn our money with not only our tasks but by humanizing a huge and uncaring and frightening for profit enterprise. I invite you to follow a nurse in a hospital and gain a real appreciation for what exactly they do, what expertise they have, and reconsider your position with some valid insight
Chelsea8226
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:25 p.m.
Actually, there is a doctor's union, you should do some more research joe.blow. Do you really want a doctor caring more about you then him/herself? Do you really want a doctor working long, unsafe hours then doing a procedure or performing surgery on you? If not, why would it be ok for a nurse to work under those same conditions?
Ignatz
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 7:16 p.m.
Doctors don't need a union, they run the hospital. The hierarchy is doctors way at the top, pretty much getting their way, with nurses a distant second. Of the two, nurses are most involved with not only taking care of patients, but protecting their interests.
a2zoo
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 7:03 p.m.
I am lovin' the fact that you haters are hatin' this!!!!
joe.blow
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 6:58 p.m.
Not only that, but you can claim altruism and say it's for the patients!
Polyjuce123
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 6:37 p.m.
If you could threaten your employer however you wanted to maintain and preserve your elite pay and benefits without any fear of getting fired, wouldn't you?
Polyjuce123
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 6:15 p.m.
Calm for now....until the moment the nurses get wind of the administrators having something they don't you can bet they will be back on the street "taking a stand for those patients."