Collective Bargaining at Munson Medical Center
In March 2019, Munson Medical Center and registered nurses represented by the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) reached a three-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and subsequently agreed to a one-year extension of the contract in February 2022.
With the current contract set to expire on February 14, 2023, negotiations on a new contract began on November 10, 2022. Representatives from both sides are scheduled to meet 20 times from the beginning of contract negotiations to the date the current CBA expires, with much work being done in between sessions.
Throughout these contract negotiations, we seek in good faith to move forward together and continue to work as one health care team so that every patient we treat continues to receive award-winning care. It is our goal to be transparent throughout the collective bargaining process.
We invite you to read our commitment to our community and to stay up-to-date on progress.
Bargaining Updates
March 10, 2023
We are pleased to announce that Munson Medical Center (MMC) and the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract.
The next step in this process is a ratification vote by the MNA member nurses that is scheduled for March 9 and 10. This agreement is the result of four months of collaborative and productive work by both bargaining teams. We are grateful for their commitment and the relationship we continue to build in serving the people of our community.
Munson Medical Center is truly fortunate to have nurses, physicians and support staff who provide such skilled and compassionate care each day in service to our patients and community. This tentative three-year agreement represents our commitment to support our Healthcare Team and ensures the resiliency of our northern Michigan healthcare system into the future.
(PDF)
March 3, 2023
We are pleased to announce that Munson Medical Center (MMC) and the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract.
The next step in this process is a ratification vote by the MNA member nurses that is scheduled for March 9 and 10. This agreement is the result of four months of collaborative and productive work by both bargaining teams. We are grateful for their commitment and the relationship we continue to build in serving the people of our community.
Munson Medical Center is truly fortunate to have nurses, physicians and support staff who provide such skilled and compassionate care each day in service to our patients and community. This tentative three-year agreement represents our commitment to support our Healthcare Team and ensures the resiliency of our northern Michigan healthcare system into the future.
(PDF)
March 3, 2023
For more than two weeks, Munson Medical Center (MMC) and the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) have continued work toward a new collective bargaining agreement under a contract extension that expires today (March 3) at noon.
While the two bargaining teams have not yet come to a tentative agreement on a new contract, this week’s negotiations have been collaborative and productive. In keeping with the spirit in which these negotiations have proceeded, both sides have agreed to remain at the bargaining table through the expiration of the contract extension and continue working this afternoon toward a tentative agreement.
(PDF)
February 24, 2023
The bargaining teams from Munson Medical Center (MMC) and the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) resumed negotiations on Thursday (February 23) and continued today with a goal to reach tentative agreement on a new contract prior to the expiration of the current extension on March 3.
On Thursday, MMC presented seven proposals to the MNA for review that touched on several different topics including floating, float pool, nurse practitioners, surgical services and mandatory overtime. Today, the two parties had a discussion around critical care during which Chief Nursing Officer, Tami Putney attended to listen and offer input.
We look forward to continuing this collaboration as we work toward a new agreement that supports our nurses and provides our community access to high-quality healthcare. We will provide ongoing updates on our progress.
February 15, 2023
Munson Medical Center (MMC) and the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) have been working toward a new collective bargaining agreement since early November.
These negotiations have been collaborative and productive throughout and as yesterday’s February 14 expiration of the current contract approached, both parties expressed their desire to continue this work and agreed to extend the contract through March 3. During this period, bargaining will continue with the goal of finalizing a new agreement.
We are grateful for the skill, dedication, and compassion that our nurses provide each day in service to our patients and look forward to building upon the progress that has been made over the last three months, bargaining in good faith until a new agreement is reached.
February 13, 2023
The two bargaining teams met over the weekend and continue to meet, working toward a goal of reaching a new agreement before the expiration of the current contract on February 14.
Discussions remain collaborative and focused on a mix of economic and non-economic proposals including floating, float pool, subcontracting, mandatory overtime and others.
We remain grateful for the productive work being done at the bargaining table and will continue to provide updates on our progress.
February 10, 2023
The bargaining teams from Munson Medical Center (MMC) and Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) met again on Thursday (February 9) and will continue negotiations throughout the weekend with a goal to reach a tentative agreement on a new contract in advance of the current agreement’s expiration on February 14.
The two parties continue to review, discuss and exchange proposals having come to tentative agreements on 18 of those proposals thus far. Priorities moving into the next four days will focus on both economic and non-economic topics, including: low census, float pool, mandatory overtime, on-call and work scheduling among several others.
We will provide another update on Monday covering this weekend’s activities and progress.
January 27, 2023
On Thursday, January 26 and Friday, January 27, the representatives for Munson Medical Center (MMC) and the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) met in person for our eighth bargaining session.
During bargaining this week, the focus has been on a number of significant issues including the possibility of adding bargaining days. The MNA also presented its first economic proposal to MMC.
Both parties spent substantial time meeting with their bargain teams discussing and preparing proposals and counter proposals.
The bargaining teams are scheduled to meet again next week to continue the productive discussions. Munson Medical Center is committed to collaborating and working toward a new agreement by February 14.
January 20, 2023
On Tuesday, January 17 – Friday, January 20, the representatives for Munson Medical Center (MMC) and the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) met in person for our seventh bargaining session.
During the four days of negotiations this week, the focus has been on writing and sharing numerous counterproposals on several non-economic issues. The MMC bargaining team has been working with key operational leaders throughout the week to ensure that all proposals support their ability to provide care to our patients and the best working environment for all members of our staff.
We have 11 Tentative Agreements so far.
The MNA shared their first economic proposal on Wednesday that focused on staffing, and they have indicated that they will share their full economic proposal during bargaining next week.
The bargaining teams are scheduled to meet two times next week (Thursday and Friday), as we continue to collaborate and work toward a new agreement by February 14.
January 13, 2023
On Tuesday, January 10, Wednesday January 11 and Thursday, January 12, the representatives for Munson Medical Center (MMC) and the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) met in person for our sixth bargaining session.
Tentative agreements were reached on three more non-economic proposals this week with lengthy discussions being held around work culture and work conditions. MMC also shared responses and counterproposals on several other non-economic topics.
The bargaining teams are scheduled to meet four times next week, as we continue to collaborate and work toward a new agreement by February 14.
January 5, 2023
On Wednesday, January 4 and Thursday, January 5, the representatives for Munson Medical Center (MMC) and the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) met in person for our fifth bargaining session.
Over the two days, we exchanged responses and counterproposals, bringing both sides closer to agreement on several non-economic topics. We also had productive conversations about floating and work culture that allowed each side to give context to the proposals and counterproposals in hopes of bringing alignment of outcomes.
The parties also met with their respective bargaining teams in advance of a heavy negotiation schedule over the next two weeks.
The next collective bargaining session is scheduled for January 10 – 12, 2023. We look forward to further discussions with the MNA on these important topics.
December 16, 2022
On Thursday, December 15 and Friday, December 16, the representatives for Munson Medical Center (MMC) and the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) met in person for our fourth bargaining session.
We had collaborative and productive discussions, where we continued to exchange proposals and counter proposals on non-economic issues.
On Friday, we met for a prolonged and productive conversation about floating and the parties’ concerns about floating.
We also agreed to add three additional days of bargaining in the spirit of collaboration and the goal of obtaining a ratified contract before February 14, 2023.
The next collective bargaining session is scheduled for January 4 – 5, 2023. We look forward to further discussions with the MNA in the new year.
December 12, 2022
On Thursday, December 8 and Friday, December 9 the representatives for Munson Medical Center (MMC) and the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) met in person for our third bargaining session.
The nurses’ bargaining team presented their third set of “non-economic proposals” on Thursday, which included topics such as mandatory overtime and work scheduling in the surgical/procedural departments. Afterward, MMC presented their response to the first MNA proposal (from Nov. 10) and both groups discussed outstanding questions related to the MNA’s second proposal (from Nov. 30).
On Friday, the MNA provided responses and counterproposals to the first and second set of proposals.
MMC and the MNA agreed to keep the non-economic proposals moving back and forth, but to focus this week’s bargaining session on floating, float pool, on-call and work scheduling. We also anticipate the MNA to provide a non-bedside proposal this week.
The next collective bargaining session is scheduled for December 15 – 16.
We look forward to further collaboration with the MNA this week as we continue discussions that support reaching a mutually beneficial agreement before the current contract expires on February 14, 2023.
November 30, 2022
On Tuesday, November 29 the representatives for Munson Medical Center (MMC) and the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) met in person for our second bargaining session.
The nurses’ bargaining team presented their second set of “non-economic proposals” which includes topics such as attendance, technology, work scheduling, and holiday scheduling.
After this discussion MMC presented their response to the November 10 MNA proposal that includes “non-economic proposals” such as staffing, floating, MNA access to MMC facilities and the grievance process. It was a full bargaining day session with the team adjourning at 6 pm.
On Wednesday, November 30, the MNA and the MMC teams met individually to review and create additional proposals for our next collective bargaining session scheduled for December 8 – 9.
We look forward to further collaboration with the MNA next week to engage in discussions that support reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.
November 10, 2022
The first collective bargaining session between Munson Medical Center and the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) was held virtually today. The collective bargaining process includes a series of meetings over the next few months where MMC and the MNA will share proposals and discuss/negotiate the terms and conditions of employment for represented nurses.
The main topic discussed today was the initial contract proposal brought forward by the nurses’ bargaining unit team. In this beginning phase of collective bargaining the proposal includes “non-economic issues” such as staffing, floating, MNA access to MMC facilities and the grievance process.
The next step is for MMC to review the proposal and develop a response for discussion at our next collective bargaining session.
The bargaining dates currently scheduled are:
November 29 – 30
December 8 – 10
December 15 – 16
January 4 – 5
January 10 – 11
January 19 – 20
January 26 – 27
February 1 – 2
February 8 – 9
February 13 – 14