ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Registered nurses at the University of Michigan have overwhelmingly approved a new three-year labor contract that includes wage increases, improved staffing ratios and enhanced workplace safety protections.
Members of the MNA-University of Michigan Professional Nurse Council, a local bargaining unit of the Michigan Nurses Association representing about 7,500 registered nurses, ratified the agreement with a 94% “yes” vote. Voting took place from July 20 through July 24.
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The previous contract expired March 31.
The new agreement takes effect immediately and runs through March 31, 2029.
Under the agreement, nurses will receive base wage increases of 4% in the first year, 4.5% in the second year and 4.75% in the third year, totaling 13.25% over the life of the contract.
The contract also includes stronger workplace violence protections, improved nurse-to-patient staffing ratios, a provision eliminating pre-scheduled patient assignments for charge nurses, a ratification bonus and expanded benefits for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses include nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists.
Approximately 1,000 members of the bargaining unit are APRNs.
Union leaders said the agreement is intended to improve working conditions for nurses while supporting patient care across the University of Michigan health system.
They also described the contract as a model for future nursing agreements throughout Michigan.