University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing, Submitted photo
Nurses and health care professionals at the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow have overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract.
Ninety-five percent of members of the Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital-Michigan Nurses Association (PECSH-MNA) voted this week to approve the contract with the employer, which was reached earlier this month after negotiating since August.
The contract runs through Oct. 30, 2027, and replaces the previous deal that expired Oct. 30.
“We’re really proud that we as a union stood strong to get what nurses and healthcare professionals at Sparrow need and deserve,” said Leah Rasch, RN and co-chair of the elected PECSH-MNA bargaining team, which represented approximately 2,000 registered nurses and healthcare professionals in nearly 60 categories at UMH-Sparrow.
“This is one of the best contracts anyone can remember at our hospital. A great agreement for our members is a win for all of us, because it will help make sure Sparrow can attract and keep enough nurses and health care workers to take excellent care of our community,” said Rasch.
Highlights of the contract include:
- Competitive wage increases, with most members receiving between a 20% and 32% raise during the term of the agreement.
- Large increases in differentials (extra hourly pay) including the night shift, evening shift, and weekends.
- Guaranteed healthcare plan equal or better to the union plan the employer is ending.
- Permanent decrease in the cost of members’ premium contribution to Blue Cross Blue Shield starting in 2026.
- New language guaranteeing no permanent replacement of positions with subcontractors (agency) and maintenance of open postings for these positions.
- Extending COVID protections for members.
- Increased benefits for employees injured by workplace violence.
- Vacation accrual for salaried members on paid-out comp time.
- Ratification bonus.
“We are pleased to have secured a new long-term contract covering our hardworking and dedicated team members,” said Margaret Dimond, regional president of University of Michigan Health. “This contract reinforces our status as the employer of choice in Mid-Michigan, with competitive wage increases, excellent benefits and health and safety protections. We are grateful to all of our team members for continuing to put our patients and the community first and always delivering outstanding care.”
The ratification averts a five-day strike that had been planned to start Jan. 20.
This is the first contract that PECSH-MNA has negotiated since University of Michigan Health purchased Sparrow in 2023 for $800 million.
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