Sault nurses file unfair labor charges ahead of strike
SAULT STE. MARIE — After another round of failed negotiations, the nurses of MyMichigan Medical Center Sault will be going on strike on Monday, April 15.
The group has filed federal unfair labor practice charges against the hospital before going on the five-day strike, which will begin at 6:45 a.m. on Monday.
Nurses and hospital management met for the 14th time on April 10 for a negotiation meeting but did not reach an agreement, leading the strike to continue as planned.
More: Nurses at MyMichigan Medical Center Sault form picket line
More: MyMichigan Medical Center Sault nurses to go on strike after contract negotiations stall
The nurses have been working under expired contracts since the end of 2023. They have been negotiating for wages comparable to other nearby hospitals and a return to benefits they had when MyMichigan was still War Memorial Hospital.
“While we wish it weren’t necessary to go on strike, we are united in doing what’s right for our patients and our community,” said Registered Nurse Elizabeth Pancheri. “We really appreciate all the support we’ve been receiving — people can see through MyMichigan’s efforts to portray Soo nurses as greedy and ungrateful. Our community deserves better from MyMichigan. We welcome everyone to join us on the picket line as we fight for fair treatment and a fair contract.”
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MyMichigan Medical Center Sault officials said they are prepared for the strike and patient care will not be affected.
“We are again disappointed we did not reach an agreement today. We believe the proposal MyMichigan has on the table continues to be fair and reasonable and is in recognition of the good and hard work of the nurses in the Sault. MyMichigan continues to ask that the union allow the nurses to vote on this contract. We would hope, if they are allowed to do so, the nurses would ratify the proposal and end this labor dispute,” said Kevin Kalchik, hospital president, in a press release. “While a strike looks imminent, and we appreciate and respect the nurses’ right to strike, we do not believe it is helpful to the MNA and MyMichigan reaching an agreement. A strike doesn’t change the proposal we have on the table that we believe to be a more than fair increase in wages and that will provide all of the nurses a significant increase in their compensation.”
Kalchik added that "the safety and care of our patients remain our top priority."
"We have security in place and are fully prepared and equipped to continue to deliver the excellent care our community deserves,” he said.
In addition to the strike, MyMichigan nurses have filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board asking for an investigation into claims about the hospital. Nurses claim that the hospital illegally surveilled nurses at their informational picket on March 12, is bargaining in bad faith by suddenly changing the rules, and illegally threatened and retaliated against the union president.
— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Sault nurses file unfair labor charges ahead of strike
