Following the announcement from the Teamsters regarding their strike authorization, we want to reassure our nurses and team members that we remain committed to reaching an agreement. We will continue to bargain in good faith, and the results of the strike authorization vote will not change our approach.
Throughout the strike authorization process, the Teamsters told you that giving them strike authorization is the best way to avoid a strike, and we hope their actions reflect that commitment. A strike would have negative impacts on our patients and communities, and we believe that talk of a strike is premature because we still have so much work to do at the bargaining table.
We know many of you have questions about what happens next, and while we do not have answers for everything right now, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- We are not done negotiating and neither side has made a final offer.
- A strike is not the solution. We have provided timely responses to all the Teamsters' proposals and are prepared to continue negotiating.
- We need the Teamsters to engage in candid conversations about priorities. Their current proposals, which exceed $2 billion in additional costs, are not based on market analysis and are not sustainable.
- Working during a strike is an individual choice. If the Teamsters call for a strike, all team members have the legal right to continue working and we will provide more information in the event of a strike notice.
Our next bargaining dates with the Teamsters are Monday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 14, and we are trying to secure additional dates for bargaining in April. There remains a lot of work to be done, and we will continue providing updates after each session.
In the meantime, you can continue checking this site for more information and FAQs, or you can raise questions with your leader.
Respectfully,
Lamont M. Yoder, MSN, MBA, RN
President
Corewell Health East
Kelli Sadler, MHA, BSN, RN
SVP and Chief Nursing Executive
Corewell Heath East
Liz Youngblood, MBA, RN
SVP and Chief Operating Officer
Corewell Health East