Three-Year Contract Approved for Michigan Medicine Nurses

The University of Michigan Professional Nurses Council gave Michigan Medicine, the academic medical center of the University of Michigan, their approval for a three-year contract. The 5,700 registered nurses represented by UMPNC now have guaranteed pay raises and paid parental leave, while also providing flexibility to better provide patient safety and quality care.

David Spahlinger, M.D., president of the University of Michigan Health System and executive vice dean for clinical affairs of the U-M Medical School, shared with UMHS Media: “This ratification is good news for the entire Michigan Medicine community: our nurses, our patients and all of our staff. We are grateful to all who worked tirelessly to bargain a fair agreement.”

In additional to guaranteed salary raises of 3 to 4 percent, the contract includes increased funding to tuition reimbursement and professional development, maintenance of health insurance and retirement benefits, improvements to the payroll system, and reductions in mandatory overtime. Additionally, the contract includes a paid maternal and parental leave program with six weeks of paid leave for recovery from birth, and six weeks of paid leave after a birth, adoption, or foster care and guardianship. This paid maternal and parental leave now matches benefits given to non-union University of Michigan employees.

“Over the months of bargaining, we stressed our support for working with our nurses as we continue our efforts to bring the best healthcare possible to our patients and communities across the state,” Spahlinger told UMHS Media. “This is a significant milestone, and we look forward to working with our nurses as we continue our efforts to bring the best healthcare possible to our patients and communities across the state.”

For more information about Michigan Medicine and the nursing contract negotiations, click here.