Detroit, MI- Over 30 signatures from some of the Detroit area's leading clergy were presented in support of the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) registered nurses to DMC CEO Michael Duggan on Tuesday, February 5. The religious leaders have united to express their concern with the opposition faced by the nurses in their campaign to organize for collective bargaining with the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA).
A delegation of religious leaders presented the signed letter, which asks DMC to negotiate a mutually agreeable Fair Election Agreement that includes:
Fair process in determining voting eligibility.
A peace accord between the union and the Hospital.
Allow equal facility access for the union to provide factual information, so nurses can make an educated decision.
No more mandatory one-on-one, group meetings, threats of suspension or harassment to influence the nurses' decision and the termination of IRI consultants.
A clearly defined election timeline so that process will not be unduly dragged out.
Commitment to bargain a contract in good faith.
"The important thing is getting fair and equal access for the RNs," stated Rev. Patrick Gahagen, Immanuel Lutheran Church pastor and Chair of the MOSES (Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength) Health Care Task Force. "The RNs need to have the ability to make their own decision."
The DMC nurses have been the victims of an aggressive anti-union campaign which has used excessive literature distribution, discrimination, discipline and discharge in retaliation for union activity. Threats of discipline or discharge, mandatory meetings and one-on-one meetings have been intended to intimidate the nurses and thwart their efforts to unionize.
"The intimidation has to stop!" exclaimed Rev. Robert Dulin, pastor of Metropolitan Church of God. "And we know that is happening," said Rev. Edwin Rowe, pastor of Central United Methodist Church. "We have nurses in our congregation who are experiencing intimidation and supervisors who are being told to take part in this.
"We call on CEO Michael Duggan and the members of the Board of Trustees of the Detroit Medical Center to respect nurses right to heal and reach a Fair Election Agreement that meets not only management needs, but also the needs of nurses for the good of our Detroit community," the petition states.
**The Michigan Nurses Association is the largest, most effective union for RNs in Michigan. As the voice of all registered nurses in Michigan, MNA advocates for nurses and their patients at the State Capitol, in the community and at the bargaining table. MNA is a constituent member of the United American Nurses and the American Nurses Association and an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.
|
