Registered nurses at Corewell Health East hospitals in southeast Michigan have ratified their first union contract, securing a 15% wage increase over three years and new workplace protections after more than a year of negotiations
Registered nurses at Corewell Health East hospitals in southeastern Michigan have ratified their first union contract, finalizing a three-year agreement that will deliver a 15% pay increase and new workplace protections. The contract, approved on August 20, covers at least 10,000 nurses working at eight hospitals and the Southfield Service Center, as well as dozens of outpatient clinics across the region.
The nurses, organized as Teamsters Local 2024, spent more than a year negotiating the terms of the agreement with Corewell Health, the state's largest health system. In addition to the pay raise, the contract includes a one-time lump-sum payment to address a previously withheld wage increase. Nurses will also have the option to select a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) health insurance plan, expanding their benefits choices.
Workplace Protections and Staffing
A key feature of the new contract is the creation of a safe staffing committee. This committee will allow nurses to meet directly with management to address concerns about nurse-to-patient ratios and other staffing issues. According to Teamsters representatives, the inclusion of a dedicated article on safe staffing is uncommon in nursing contracts nationwide and was a major priority for the union during negotiations.
The contract also introduces additional workplace protections designed to improve working conditions and support nurse retention. These measures are intended to address long-standing concerns about workload and patient care quality, according to union officials.
Hospitals and Locations Covered
The agreement applies to registered nurses at Corewell Health East hospitals in Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Royal Oak, Taylor, Trenton, Troy, and Wayne, as well as the Corewell Health Southfield Service Center. It also extends to dozens of outpatient clinics affiliated with the health system in southeastern Michigan.
Corewell Health East leaders expressed satisfaction with the contract's ratification, stating that it reflects a shared commitment to supporting nurses while continuing to meet the needs of patients and communities served by the health system.
Unionization and Next Steps
The ratification follows a significant organizing effort earlier in 2024, when Corewell Health East registered nurses voted by a three-to-one margin to join Teamsters Local 2024. The election was one of the largest National Labor Relations Board votes in recent decades for the region.
With the contract now in place, the safe staffing committee and other provisions will be implemented over the coming months. Nurses and management are expected to begin regular meetings to address staffing and workplace issues as outlined in the agreement.
The new contract marks a major milestone for Corewell Health East nurses, who now have formal representation and a structured process for addressing workplace concerns. The agreement is expected to influence future negotiations at other health systems in Michigan and beyond.
Union contracts for hospital nurses typically address wages, benefits, staffing, and workplace safety. The inclusion of a safe staffing committee in the Corewell Health East agreement reflects growing attention to nurse workloads and patient care standards in the healthcare industry. The Teamsters have indicated they hope this contract will encourage more nurses in the region to organize for collective bargaining.
