SEIU Healthcare Michigan members,
Members are moving towards action and demanding respect, protection, and pay on the job. This week, we spoke with our state legislators to push for key policies that would address the staffing crisis in nursing homes. Here are a few updates about our ongoing campaigns:
Nursing Home Workers Meet with Legislators: Over the next few weeks, nursing home workers are meeting with state legislators to discuss extending and fully funding a $2.35/hour wage pass-through for all nursing home workers and creating a fee cap for what agencies can charge nursing homes. With nursing home staffing in a crisis, these policies would help recruit and retain staff so that workers can provide the highest level of quality care to residents. Last week, workers met with Rep. Huizenga, Sen. Hertel, Rep. Tate, Rep. Green, and Sen. Brinks. As the state budget talks heat up, SEIU will continue to engage legislators on solutions that will help workers across the state. In order to be enacted into law, the new budget will have to be passed by the state house, state senate, and signed by the Governor.
SEIU Tech II Workers Reach Tentative Agreement with Trinity Health Muskegon: Late on Friday night, Tech II workers reached a tentative agreement for a new contract with Trinity Health. The contract includes improved pay scales in every job classification with raises for every worker which recognize years of service and experience, and increased premium pay. It also preserves health insurance benefits and choices while strengthening contract language with improvements in leave of absence, promotions, and on-call assignments. Tech II workers will have the opportunity to vote on the contract soon. Negotiations for more than 800 Trinity Service and Support workers will continue on May 24th and all members will be standing in solidarity with these workers as we work to secure a contract for the final bargaining unit.
McLaren Oakland Workers Fight for Competitive Wages, Safe Staffing, and a Voice on the job: Dozens of McLaren Oakland Hospital workers participated in the McLaren Unions United action day on May 16th, demanding safe staffing, competitive wages, and a partnership in making decisions so that they can provide the highest quality of care to their patients. It’s long past time for McLaren to negotiate a strong contract that respects, protects, and pays workers who have sacrificed so much during the pandemic.
SEIU Hospital Workers Win Significant Raises at Ascension Borgess: Hospital workers celebrated a major victory in April at Ascension Borgess in Kalamazoo, as members overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract on Wednesday which includes a $15 minimum wage and a wage scale that rewards workers with experience with up to $5/hour of wage increases in their first year. Over 180 workers will be impacted by the new contract including PCA’s, surgical techs, emergency department techs, and monitor techs.
Contract negotiations continue at DMC and McLaren Oakland: Our team is supporting negotiations for new contract agreements at DMC Sinai Grace, Crothal at DMC and McClaren-Oakland, Beaumont Commons workers ratified a new collective bargaining agreement
We are also continuing to make progress in reorganizing the administration, finances, and operations of the local union. If you have any questions, please email us at info@seiuhealthcaremi.org or call Latoyia Comb at 313-985-1246.
Every day we observe the incredible power and voice that healthcare workers in Michigan are demonstrating in our fight for better working conditions. It’s exciting to see our work succeed together as we continue to restore the power of SEIU Healthcare Michigan.
In Unity,
Dian Palmer, Trustee
SEIU Healthcare Michigan