ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Workers at Michigan Medicine, represented by SEIU Healthcare Michigan, voted over two weeks to consider contract terms as reached in a tentative agreement on Oct. 14, 2024.
In a press release sent to Local 4 on Monday (Nov. 4), the contract highlights include:
- Wage increases for the lowest-paid workers to over $20 an hour (up from $15.76)
- Wage increases of 23.4% or more in the 3-year agreement
- A 25-step wage scale based on years of service, including outside relevant experience
The agreement protects benefits for workers at the University, such as:
- Eradicating caps for workers with high seniority
- Guaranteeing almost ⅔ of the unit will receive an increase of 20% or more over the three-year agreement
- Creating accountability, transparency, and a defined workload for respiratory therapists
- Establishing a grievance procedure, affording workers a way to challenge unfair or inaccurate discipline or other violations of the contract
- Establishing 5,200 paid hours a year for stewards to enforce the union contract
- Mandating a 30-minute new employee orientation for every new hire
The 2,700 University of Michigan healthcare workers include Respiratory Therapists, ECMO Specialists, Phlebotomists, Patient Care Technicians, Inpatient Unit Clerks, and clerical staff in clinics and ambulatory care settings.
Workers formed their union in two stages, with the first unit recognized by the university in July 2023 and the second unit in March 2024. Negotiations began 12 months ago for a first union contract to cover both units.
“We are grateful for all that our team members represented by SEIU do to provide outstanding care for our patients every day in our hospitals and clinics,” said David Miller, president of U-M Health.
