November 11, 2024

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4,500 professional workers authorize strike action against Michigan Medicine

4,500 professional workers authorize strike action against Michigan Medicine

More than 4,500 professional hospital workers have voted to authorize strike action against Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan to achieve their first-ever contract and to win increases in wages and benefits, an end to overwork and other improvements in working conditions.

Michigan Medicine workers picket on July 29 to demand improved wages and conditions

The rehab and behavioral health workers; lab and medical assistants; and hospital services and advanced diagnostic and procedures technologists are members of United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals (UMMAP), which is local 6739 of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

The union announced the strike authorization vote on Instagram with a post that said 86 percent of the membership voted by 97 percent in favor of the action against the hospital system, which is operated by the University of Michigan. The union has not announced a strike date.

UMMAP has been negotiating with the hospital since February and the union said it had set a target date of October 16 for a contract to be established. Union representatives told local news media that Michigan Medicine has refused to respond to a counter-offer that was submitted to hospital management in July.

Michigan Medicine released a self-serving statement to local news media calling the strike vote by the workers “disappointing,” but adding, “We remain confident that we can reach agreement without a work stoppage,” and “no work stoppages have been scheduled.”

Meanwhile, hospital management made clear its intransigence and hostility to the workers’ struggle by saying, “We are currently planning to ensure safe staffing levels if a work stoppage occurs.”

UMMAP has not published an update on the negotiations with the hospital on its website since August 31. At that time, the union reported “significant moves” had been made in talks with Michigan Medicine. UMMAP also said that the negotiating team “proposed a package of 14 contract items, including attendance, bereavement, management rights and more.”

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