Detroit Free Press:

HEALTH CARE: Group says labor relations worse at 3 hospitals

A nonprofit, interfaith group charged Thursday that labor relations at three Ascension Health hospitals in Detroit, Kalamazoo and Grand Blanc have deteriorated.

Interfaith Worker Justice released a report, “A Fall from Grace: Workers’ Rights Abuses at Ascension Health’s Michigan Operations” on its findings on its Web site, www.iwj.org, and held a news media briefing in Detroit to discuss it.

Kim Bobo, the group’s executive director, said Ascension is trying to eliminate issues other than wages and benefits from its contracts, including provisions requiring certain nurse-to-patient ratios set to ensure good care. The three hospitals are St. John Hospital & Medical Center, Detroit; Genesys Regional Medical Center, Grand Blanc, and Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo.

In a statement, St. John Providence Health System, part of Ascension, said it “values all associates for their contributions to our healing ministry. We work continually in partnership with our associates on creating an optimal work environment. St. John Providence Health System believes that it is important to have a direct relationship with our associates, without inserting an outside third party.”

ABC 12 WJRT:

Crain’s Detroit Business:

Report critical of St. John Providence Health System labor practices

Interfaith Workers Justice, a national religious organization based in Chicago, issued a report that alleges Ascension Health and its Warren-based subsidiary, St. John Providence Health System, have engaged in a variety of anti-union activities at three Michigan hospitals.

In its 34-page report, “Ascension Health: A Fall from Grace,” Interfaith lists problems workers are experiencing and a pattern of anti-union behavior among management at three of Ascension’s Michigan hospitals, including 553-bed St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Madison Heights.

“Ascension Health’s approach to workers is in free fall,” said Sister Monica McGloin, chair of the delegation from Interfaith Worker Justice that issued the report. “But grace provides an opportunity to make a change. Ascension needs to change its approach to workers.”

MNA/NNU Nurses at Yesterday's Press Conference

Left to right:

John Armelagos – U of M
Donna Farrell – Borgess
Monica Walker – Borgess
Pat Meave – Borgess
Jean Ross – NNU
Doris Goodrich – Borgess
Karen Mitchell – Borgess
Jeff Breslin – Sparrow

Nurses Welcome Religious Leaders’ Spotlight on Ascension Health Abuses

DETROIT—Leaders of the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) and its national union, National Nurses United (NNU), expressed their appreciation today to Interfaith Workers Justice for its new report, “Ascension Health: A Fall from Grace.” (The report can be found here.)

The report from the national religious organization documents labor rights abuses at Ascension Health’s Michigan hospitals, including at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Mich., where 700 MNA/NNU registered nurses are in an ongoing struggle to secure a new collective bargaining agreement.

On Monday of this week, the National Labor Relations Board charged Borgess with multiple violations of the National Labor Relations Act, including illegally restraining and coercing employees; unlawfully discriminating against employees in the terms and conditions of employment; and refusing to bargain in good faith with the MNA.

“We welcome the attention of these religious leaders on Borgess’ human rights abuses,” said Jeff Breslin, RN, President of the Michigan Nurses Association. “It is time for Borgess and its parent company Ascension Health to return to their roots and commit to Catholic social teaching of compassion, justice and respect for workers’ rights.”

“The nurses at Borgess refuse to be victims and we are standing strong and united for our rights on the job, for our profession, for our patients and for our community,” added Monica Walker, RN, a nurse at Borgess. “My co-workers and I are going to hold firm until a fair agreement is negotiated. We owe it to ourselves and our patients to ensure that Borgess is a decent place to work and a hospital where nurses are allowed to deliver quality health care.”

“The damage being created by Ascension Health hurts all of us,” said Jean Ross, RN, Co-President of National Nurses United. “When hospital management is allowed to disrespect nurses, who are the backbone of the hospital, safe patient care is at risk. “Our union won’t back down from our support for these courageous nurses,” she continued. “We will keep fighting and speaking out until justice is done.”