Henry Ford Health prepares for 2nd strike in system’s history

Members of Teamsters Local 332 are set to hit the picket line Sept. 1 at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc, Mich., which will mark the second strike in Henry Ford Health’s 110-year history.

In an Aug. 21 Facebook post, the union said 93% of the bargaining unit rejected a “last, best and final offer” from their employer and issued a strike notice. The union and hospital began negotiating a new labor contract in the spring.

A Henry Ford Health spokesperson said in a statement that during negotiations, management has proposed a contract with “a robust and competitive compensation package that includes overtime and benefits and is aligned with what’s offered across the health system.”

The union contends that the hospital has failed to make adequate progress at the bargaining table, and identified nurse-to-patient ratios and premium pay details as key sticking points. “We have represented these healthcare heroes for 25 years, and now their employer is trying to go backwards on progress we have made in collective bargaining agreements,” Dan Glass, president of Local 332, said in the union’s social media post.

“It is unfortunate that Teamsters Local 332 have opted to take this extreme step,” Gwen Sandefur, interim president at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital, said in a statement. “Nevertheless, we can assure everyone that the hospital will continue to provide the same exceptional care our patients expect and deserve. We also want to thank the nurses who plan to continue providing patient care during the work stoppage despite their union’s call to strike, as well as our other team members who will undoubtedly rise to these challenging times.”

Genesys Hospital joined Detroit-based Henry Ford Health in October through a joint venture with Ascension Michigan.

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