672 Workers Secure Strong Protections, Wage
Increases in New Agreement
FLINT, Mich.,
June 5,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Registered nurses at Ascension
Michigan represented by Teamsters Local 332 have voted
overwhelmingly to ratify a collective bargaining agreement,
averting a strike. The new one-year agreement includes significant
wage increases, ratification bonuses, critical staffing bonuses for
picking up shifts, an improved grievance procedure, strong per diem
language, and protections from disciplinary action.
The new agreement covers Ascension Teamsters during the period
in which Ascension Michigan enters a joint venture with Henry Ford
Health and includes language that allows Teamsters to return to the
bargaining table with Henry Ford if
the joint venture is approved by regulators.
"Ascension nurses are integral to the functioning of our health
care system, and they deserve nothing but the best possible
contract," said Dan Glass, President
of Local 332. "Ascension nurses care deeply about their patients
and the level of care they provide—and now, they have a strong
agreement that will reward them for the commitment to their work.
Local 332 is honored to represent this determined group of nurses
because they were the driving force behind securing this
agreement."
Teamsters voted on April 3 by a
resounding 98 percent to authorize a strike. The union issued a
strike notice to Ascension in mid-May, following the May 9 expiration of their collective bargaining
agreement.
"We did not want to strike—and we're glad we did not have to—but
we were ready to hit the picket line if that's what it took to get
the much-needed improvements at Ascension," said Sarah Engleman, a registered nurse at Ascension.
"We are thrilled to have a new contract that addresses several of
our concerns and we are grateful to our union for helping us secure
it."
Founded in 1933, Teamsters Local 332 represents working people
in Flint, Michigan. For more
information, visit teamsters332.com.
Contact:
Matt McQuaid, (202)
624-6877
mmcquaid@teamster.org
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SOURCE Teamsters Local 332