Nurses’ Union Ratifies New Contract with McLaren Bay Region

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and McLaren Bay Region Hospital have come to an agreement on a new contract after months of negotiations.

The union represents registered nurses at the hospital, who have been pushing for safe staffing since last September. The nurses voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike in December, but did not need to strike. Hospital officials say the new three year contract includes provisions for better pay and benefits, a positive work environment, and continued commitment to recruitment and retention of quality nurses.

The UNITE HERE Local 24 union representing around 300 auxiliary staff at the hospital are negotiating for their own contract. Those workers have been working for more than a year without one, according to the union. The group held an informational picket last week.