After threats of going on strike, registered nurses at McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new 3-year contract, effective immediately. The contract, celebrated by the local Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) bargaining unit, prioritizes safe staffing and competitive compensation.
Carie Babcock, RN and president of the MNA unit, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing the focus on patient safety and high-quality care. The contract entails a substantial average wage increase of 19 percent over its duration to attract and retain qualified nurses. It also includes provisions for hospital fines if administrators fail to meet nurse-to-patient ratios as agreed upon, holding executives accountable for safe staffing.
Additionally, the emergency department will see improved staffing, a vital enhancement given McLaren Lapeer Region’s status as the sole Level II Trauma Center in the Thumb area.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
