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Nurses who recently completed a 48-hour strike against UP Health System-Marquette Saturday morning are asking for community support in their battle for a new contract. The nurses say they’re trying to use the negotiation to address low hospital staffing levels that could endanger patient safety. Hospital staff walked off the job Thursday morning, in what they promised would be a two-day strike. Union members who reported for work when the strike ended Saturday morning were turned away. Hospital officials said they had been obligated to promise five days’ pay to temporary replacements, and that at least most of the strikers would not be able to return to their jobs until tomorrow. Union President Scott Balko said his members appreciate the outpouring of community support they received during the walkout. He encouraged sympathizers to display signs of support in yards and business windows.
The labor impasse has attracted the attention of one of Michigan’s gubernatorial candidates. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed issued a statement last evening supporting the nurses, criticising UP Health System-Marquette for bringing in temporary workers, and accusing hospital owner Duke Lifepoint of union busting. El-Sayed is a physician. He will hold a town hall meeting tonight at 7:30 at the NMU University center.
The strikers have attracted Republican support, as well. State Senator Tom Casperson, and Representatives Ed McBroom, and Rich Rossway all walked the picket line Friday. Casperson said laws restrict the number of hours truck drivers can spend on the road. “Why would it be any different when you’ve got nurses that are pulling 12-hour shifts on a regular basis and then all of a sudden they’re asked to stay for a 16 (hour shift) after they just pulled three 12’s,” said Casperson. “And this isn’t happening on occasion. This is happening a lot,” he added. Casperson and McBroom recently sponsored a series of bills called the Safe Patient Care Act. The bipartisan legislation would require hospitals to disclose RN to patient ratios and would also place limits on forced overtime.
