UPDATE: Nurses set to strike
UPDATE: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4TH, 2017– The hospital has released an official statement on the nurses’ decision to strike tomorrow afternoon.
“While we had hoped to avoid a strike, we have been preparing for this possibility and have a comprehensive plan in place to ensure that there is absolutely no interruption in care for our patients and community members. Right now, and always, our focus is on delivering high-quality care to our community. We will be fully-staffed with highly-qualified temporary nurses for the duration of the strike and assure the community that our commitment to patient care will be unchanged.
We consider it a privilege to serve the healthcare needs of the Upper Peninsula, and we stand ready to continue our negotiations with the Michigan Nurses Association so that we can reach a new contract that meets the needs of our nurses, hospital and community.”
MARQUETTE — Nurses at UP Health System – Marquette are officially set to strike tomorrow morning for 48 hours, according to a press release sent by the Michigan Nurses Association around 6:00 p.m.
The collective bargaining team and hospital officials have been unable to reach a deal on a new contract. The strike will take place beginning at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow and will last through Saturday at 6:59 a.m. Nurses will begin their march from their office at 260 W Magnetic Street to the picket line along W College Avenue, east of 7th St.
Nurses are asking the hospital to address what they’re calling unsafe staffing issues. The two sides have been negotiating a new deal since April. The strike will take place beginning at seven a.m. tomorrow and will last through Saturday.
The MI Nurses Association tells ABC 10 no further bargaining sessions are scheduled beyond today. Stay with ABC 10 for updates on the strike.