MARQUETTE, MI-- Nurses at UPHS-Marquette are considering if they’ll go on another strike.
The nurses’ union says it will hold a strike authorization vote Friday and Saturday. Union officials say hospital administration has taken no positive action toward addressing staffing deficiencies since a two-day strike held in October.
Scott Balko is President of the UPHS-Marquette RN Staff Council/Michigan Nurses Association. In a statement he said, “We are deeply disappointed that Duke LifePoint managers have failed to address our staffing and other outstanding concerns in contract negotiations. Members will vote on a strike authorization on Friday and Saturday. That will determine our next steps in our fight for patient safety.”
Last month the National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint against Duke LifePoint. The move was based on three Unfair Labor Practice charges filed by the MNA on behalf of Marquette nurses. A hearing on the matter will be held July-24 in Marquette Federal Court.
