Union nurses at Munson Medical Center have voted "overwhelmingly" to approve a new three-year contract, according to the Traverse City Munson Nurses Association (TCMNA).

The union vote took place Tuesday and Wednesday to formalize a tentative agreement announced last week. Nurses had been working without a contract since March 10. According to TCMNA, the new contract provides across-the-board raises of five percent per year for the life of the three-year contract, includes guardrails on AI and technology, and protects the nurses’ health insurance and employer contributions to retirement.

"This new contract moves us forward in terms of recruiting and retaining the nurses our hospital needs to take great care of Northern Michigan," said RN James Walker, co-chair of the bargaining team for TCMNA. "We’ve come through this journey with an even stronger commitment to provide excellent care to our community. Nurses are patient advocates first and foremost, and we will continue to put patients’ needs at the forefront of everything we do."

"We could not have gotten to this point without our community supporting us and lifting us up,” said TCMNA President Laura Nilsson, RN, co-chair of the bargaining committee. “We want to thank everyone for all the support. Please know that it has meant the world to us."

Munson Chief Nursing Officer Jenn Standfest shared the following statement:

"Munson Healthcare is pleased to share the TC Michigan Nurses Association representing nurses at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City have ratified a 3-year contract. This agreement represents our shared dedication to our communities and to the committed and compassionate nursing team members who provide exceptional care every day. This contract is a significant investment in our workforce. By offering increased wages; competitive benefits; guardrails and education for new technology; and a safe workplace for our employees we can continue to provide the highest quality care our patients expect and deserve. We appreciate the constructive engagement, commitment to listening and mutual respect shown toward one another throughout the bargaining process. We look forward to moving forward together as one team united in our purpose to improve lives each day."