Corewell Health Nurses to Vote on Unionization

Nurses at Corewell Health, Michigan's largest healthcare provider, are preparing for a pivotal vote from November 12 to 14 to unionize with the Teamsters, potentially marking one of the most significant unionization efforts in the U.S. in the last five years. The decision to unionize follows a growing sentiment among the nearly 9,600 nursing staff regarding worsening working conditions and demands for better wages and staffing levels. Organizers like Katrina Wallace emphasize that inadequate staffing has compromised patient care and left nurses vulnerable to malpractice risks due to exhaustion. Many nurses, including Rebecca Smola, express disappointment over the lack of recognition for their efforts during the pandemic and see unionization as a way to reclaim their voice. Corewell Health maintains that it values direct relationships with staff over union representation, stating such dynamics are essential for providing quality care. The outcome of the vote could significantly influence labor relations in the healthcare sector amid ongoing scrutiny of labor organization movements.