IRONWOOD, MI— Aspirus Health has offered Ironwood nurses a new contract proposal.
The nurses are part of the Michigan Nurses Association union.
“This is a strong and fair proposal that satisfies our threefold commitment – to patients, to all our valuable employees, and to the communities we serve,” said Natalie Seaber, Aspirus Michigan Region President.
The proposal includes a 7.1-percent wage increase in the first year for RNs. Wage increases for years two and three align with the latest proposal from the MNA.
Call pay would increase from $2.70 to $4.50 per hour and the evening shift differential rate would increase from $2.85 to $3.00 an hour.
Aspirus does not agree with an MNA proposal that all Ironwood RNs should be required to join the union and pay dues.
Ironwood nurses say Aspirus’ proposal isn’t good enough.
The following statement is from Angie Butzke, Aspirus Ironwood RN and member of the MNA bargaining team:
"Aspirus is not sharing the whole picture about its current proposal, which offers lower wages for almost half of Ironwood nurses than our proposal does. In addition, Aspirus proposes to take away the wage structure that respects and rewards nurses' experience. Aspirus is also failing to meaningfully address our proposal regarding the closure of Ironwood's OB unit. Instead of continuing to make cuts at U.P. hospitals, Aspirus should invest in nurses and the care our communities need. Our bargaining team made up of nurses elected by our peers cannot in good conscience recommend approval of Aspirus's offer. We do not share Aspirus's positive assessment of bargaining, especially given the fact that we had to force them back to the table by filing a federal labor charge. Our union is a democracy and nurses will make up their own minds when they vote on the Aspirus proposal Wednesday."
