The History of MNA at Borgess

In 1972 Borgess Medical Center was Borgess Hospital. The nurses had come to a point where they knew they needed to stand up for their rights. They needed to do something…but what? That year a movement to become an organized work force grew. At the time, newly hired RNs were making a higher wage than someone working there for six years!! Someone with experience had signed the bidding book, but was turned down for a job because the head nurse’s friend wanted the job. Thus, the organization process began. Two unions were considered, but the nurses at Borgess Hospital wanted their growth not only to be in their rights, but in their profession as well. They elected the Michigan Nurses Association to be their union. The first contract was negotiated and all nurses had to be a member by September of 1973. Contracts came and went over the next several years, and the nurses had come a long way in a very short time.

In 1980, yet another contract expired and as it was, the nurses and the hospital were at an impasse. That resulted in a 6 week strike. The nurses won when they showed the hospital that they were united and would stand together for the professional rights they deserved. Since that time, many officers have done outstanding work to uphold and improve upon those rights.

The hardest part about union work is making the staff nurses understand THEY are the bargaining unit. It is disappointing to hear “That Union”. Therefore we will continue to educate the nursing staff that they ARE in fact the union.

As for the future of Borgess Staff Nurse Council, who knows? That will all depend on the nurses in the bargaining unit who want to take the step to get involved. The officers you now have are committed to standing up for the rights of the nurses and also to continue the growth of the profession of nursing at Borgess.

To learn more about the Michigan Nurses Association, Please go to www.minurses.org.