Kyle Kaminski at The ‘Gander reports the Union that represents thousands of Nurses and other Health Care Professionals at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow has reached a tentative agreement with their employer, effectively averting a planned, five-day Strike that was set to begin on January 20th.  The Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital-Michigan Nurses Association (PECSH-MNA) announced the preliminary agreement after months of negotiations. The contract, which must still be ratified by the Union’s roughly 2,000 members, reportedly includes significant gains in wages, benefits and workplace protections. Their previous deal expired in October. According to the Union, key provisions of the new agreement include: Competitive wage increases, with most Workers receiving between 20% and 32% raises during the contract term, along with a significant bonus when the contract is ratified; A new health care plan that is equal to or better than the Union plan that is ending; New contract language that protects employees from being permanently replaced by sub-contractors and ensuring an open processes for filling roles; Extended COVID-19 protections for the duration of the new contract; and Enhanced benefits for Employees injured by workplace violence.

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: Mid-Michigan nurses union cancels strike after securing better pay, benefits for workers