Marquette nurses ratify a new contract with Duke LifePoint

UPDATE: UP Health System Marquette released this statement Friday morning.

" UPHS – Marquette is pleased to have reached a mutually acceptable agreement with the Michigan Nurses Association, which was ratified by its membership last night. This positive outcome provides great momentum for our team as we prepare to move into our new facility and continue enhancing the high quality care and service we provide our patients. We thank the community for its patience as we worked through this important process, and are eager to move forward making our community healthier together."

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On Thursday night, a strong majority of registered nurses at UP Health System in Marquette, represented by the Michigan Nurses Association, voted to accept a new collective bargaining agreement with Duke LifePoint.

According to the Michigan Nurses Association, the new contract contains many improvements for nurses and patients, including language to ensure that nurses have a stronger voice in staffing decisions and an attractive economic package, including wage increases and robust health insurance to retain U.P. RNs.

“On behalf of Marquette nurses, I want to thank all of the community members who supported us throughout bargaining. The agreement that we reached is a win for patients across the UP,” said Scott Balko, Operating Room RN and President of the UPHS Marquette Staff Council/MNA. “Our new agreement contains significant wage increases and fair benefits which will help attract and retain nurses to serve the region. Quality health insurance means that those on the frontlines of patient care will be able to care for themselves and their families without worry. After a long negotiations process, we are hopeful that Duke LifePoint recognizes this contract as an opportunity to work with their nursing staff on continued improvements. Nurses will continue to be advocates to ensure the highest quality care for our patients, and we see the contract as a step in the right direction.”

The contract is a four-year agreement that takes effect on June 1, 2018 for the approximately 375 registered nurses at UPHS-Marquette.