Nurses at McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital could soon be going on strike, starting day one of their strike authorization vote today.
At an information picket outside of the hospital on Friday, May 19, nearly 100 nurses gathered and called for new contract negotiations with the health system. Their current contract expired on May 9th.
Nurses say in that contract, there was no limit to the nurse to patient ratio, which ultimately had a negative impact on patient care. They’re now calling for a new contract that sets clear guidelines for safe patient-to-nurse ratios, as well as an improved compensation package.
The group of nurses announced that they will be holding a strike authorization vote on Tuesday, May 30th and Wednesday, May 31st.
Officials with McLaren Lapeer say that the hospital is currently operating as normal, and that the health system has been in contract negotiations with nurses since March. Nurses representatives met with McLaren officials last Thursday, May 25, for further negotiations.
Approximately 250 nurses work at McLaren Lapeer hospital.
