Professional Employees
Council of Sparrow Hospital
PECSH-MNA Strike Authorization Vote FAQ
Q. What is a strike?
A. A strike happens when a group of workers – in our case, nurses and healthcare professionals – come together and decide to withhold our labor to advocate for what is right.
Q. Why are we holding a strike authorization vote?
A. A strike authorization vote is being held to give our elected bargaining team the ability to call for a strike at some date in the future if they deem it necessary. After months of trying to work with University of Michigan Health executives at the table and a successful informational picket, our team has determined that a strike may be necessary to move the employer so we can win a fair contract.
As nurses and healthcare professionals, we must decide together how far we are willing to go to get the contract we, our patients and our community deserve. We get to choose together: are we satisfied with what is being offered? If not, what are we willing to do to change the status quo?
Q. How will the decision about whether to strike be made?
How do I participate in the strike vote?
A. All dues-paying members have been invited to participate in a strike authorization vote. If a majority vote YES, our elected bargaining team will have the power to call for a strike if the team deems it necessary. A strike can only be authorized if we – the membership – choose to make it happen.
If you are not yet a member of our union, you can become one by going to www.minurses.org/join
All members in good standing are eligible to vote. Membership applications will also be available at the vote, which is being held Dec. 4-Dec. 11 at various times and locations to maximize convenience for members. Find the list and RSVP at www.pecsh.org/voteplan
Q. When would the strike be? How much notice would we get if a strike is called?
A. Should we choose to authorize our bargaining team to call for a strike, we would be giving them the power and ability to set a date for a strike. Our team would provide 10-day notice of a strike date to the hospital and our membership would receive notice at the same time. The length of a strike could be decided upon at the time the strike is called.
Q. Is striking legal? Am I protected from retaliation or being fired for going on strike?
A. Yes. You have the legal right to strike under the law. No action can be taken against your professional license for participating in a strike. Retaliation from management against anyone for participating in the strike is strictly illegal. Illegal retaliation could include reducing regular hours, changing schedules, and issuing disciplines. MNA will aggressively defend members experiencing retaliation due to participation in legally protected strikes and union activity. If this occurs, please contact your MNA representatives immediately.
Q. Can the hospital hire permanent replacements?
A. This is not likely and is ill-advised on the part of the hospital. In most strike situations, the use of temporary employees can satisfy the employer’s need to remain open. It would be very difficult to find skilled nurses and healthcare professionals in nearly 60 categories willing to accept a job without assurance of continued employment when the strike is over, and it could potentially be illegal for management to seek to do so.
Q. Can the hospital or my manager ask me whether I would strike?
A. You should expect that the hospital or your manager may, at some point, ask about whether you would participate in a potential strike. Hospitals often instruct managers to develop and use personal relationships with staff, so they can get them to talk about their plans. You are not required to respond to these questions. Alternatively, the hospital might send a letter saying you must contact them if you don’t intend to strike – otherwise they will assume that you will. An employee can only be subject to discipline if they answer and affirmatively mislead an employer, so we urge you to simply decline to answer the question. It is also illegal for the employer to ask this question in a coercive or intimidating way or before an actual strike is announced. If that happens, you should contact your MNA representatives immediately.
Q. What should I do if my supervisor tells me I must come to work during the strike and/or shows me some document saying that?
A. Contact MNA representatives immediately. This is a standard scare tactic to convince some nurses and healthcare professionals that they are “required” to work.
Q. Will University of Michigan Health cut off my health insurance?
A. Threatening to take away nurses’ and healthcare professionals’ health insurance while on strike would be reprehensible. When GM tried to cut striking workers’ pay in 2019, the backlash was intense enough that they quickly reversed their decision. None of the Big 3 automakers tried to do this during the most recent UAW strike. However, we have to consider the possibility that our hospital executives are, in fact, hostile towards their workers. We will plan any possible strike to maximize the timing of our work stoppage with the maintenance of benefits.
Q. What if I have pre-scheduled PTO when the strike is called for?
A. If you have scheduled and pre-approved PTO for the time during the strike, there is no guarantee that the employer will honor the contract and not revoke your PTO. If the employer asks you during your PTO to work during a strike, we recommend that you tell them you are exercising your right to strike and then contact your labor representative. If you do not already have scheduled PTO, you will not be able to use PTO to go out on strike.
Q. How will patient care be impacted by a strike? What about my license?
A. We work diligently to protect our patients before and during any strike. This includes giving a 10-day notice of a strike to the hospital. Your professional license will not be negatively impacted by your decision to choose to act in solidarity and go on strike.
Q. Should a newly hired nurse or healthcare professional honor the picket line during a strike? What if I’m not yet an MNA member?
A. Every nurse and healthcare professional working under the MNA contract should honor the picket line. Federal labor law protects all concerted activity, including strikes. New hires are covered by our contract and therefore should honor the picket line. If you aren’t yet a member, you can join by going to minurses.org/join!
Q. What does it take to have a successful strike?
A. SOLIDARITY! The more nurses and healthcare professionals we have standing together, the stronger we will be. Every nurse or healthcare professional who chooses not to stand with us weakens our union and our bargaining position.
Q. How can community members support our campaign?
A. If a strike is called, everyone is welcome to join us on the picket line. Donations of food are also appreciated! Businesses and homes can also display the “We Support Sparrow Caregivers” signs.