Teamster Nurses Strike for First Contract

Teamster nurses at the 265-bed Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey Michigan struck in November after frustration with the pace of negotiations toward their first contract. The nurses seek lower nurse-to-patient ratios, a greater say in patient care issues, improved grievance procedures, an end to hospital unfair labor practices, and compensation to address the hospital's nursing 25% vacancy rate and 31% turnover rate.

In early December, 271 striking nurses signed an ad in the local newspaper. The hospital is operating at reduced levels with imported scabs paid twice what it is offering the Teamsters.