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Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Ann Arbor, Michigan
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ADMINISTRATION
UMich finalizes settlement with Anderson survivors ‘Hail to the Victims’ leader wants University apology for response KRISTINA ZHENG
Managing News Editor
TESS CROWLEY/Daily Michigan Medicine nurses and supporters attend a picket for safer conditions and a fair contract organized by the University of Michigan Professional Nurse Council at Fuller Park in July.
What’s happening with nurses at Michigan Medicine? Union demands safe staffing, end to mandatory overtime
IRENA LI
Daily Staff Reporter
Michigan Medicine has failed to bargain in good faith with its nurses, the University of Michigan Professional Nurse Council alleges. With the union and the University of Michigan at a stalemate after six months of negotiations, 6,200 MNAUMPNC nurses have worked without a contract since the previous one expired June 30. In that time, the union has organized rallies and created a community petition to call attention to its demands for safer working conditions for nurses. The union’s demands include an end to understaffing by way of safe nurse workload ratios, fair wages, and an end to mandatory overtime. Unfair labor practice charges filed against the University allege that the administration has violated state law by refusing to bargain with the union over nurseto-patient staffing ratios and retaliating against nurses who engaged in union activity. On Aug. 15, the MNA filed a lawsuit with the Michigan Court of Claims alleging that the University’s refusal to bargain over nurse workloads was a violation of the Public Employment Relations Act 336 of 1947. The lawsuit seeks an injunction that would force the University to negotiate staffing ratios with the union. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Renee Curtis,
UMPNC president and registered nurse, said safer workload ratios are the union’s most significant demand because they ensure quality patient care and a safe working environment for nurses. “The basis of our profession is … the service that we provide for our patients,” Curtis said. “When we’re unable to provide care for our patients due to understaffing due to issues relative to workload, it causes more trauma not only for the nurses, but it puts patients at risk for adverse events, and it creates poor patient outcomes as a result of not being able to have a registered nurse at the bedside.” Though the union views workload ratios as a necessary component of negotiations, the administration of University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine’s clinical division, says otherwise. Michigan Medicine spokesperson Mary Masson wrote in an email to The Daily that the administration’s stance is supported by state law. “Under decisions of the Michigan Employment Relations Commission and Michigan appellate courts, the determination of employee staffing levels is a “non-mandatory” subject of bargaining — something that a public employer has no obligation to bargain over — unless the staffing requirements are inextricably intertwined with the health and safety of bargaining unit employees,” Masson wrote. Masson wrote that the proposal, which the University believes is “compelling and generous,” includes a 21% base pay increase for nurses over four years, a safe elimination
of mandatory overtime, a $4,000 bonus for members of the union’s bargaining team and expanded staffing guidelines. On Sept. 2, 96% of the over 4,000 MNA-UMPNC members voted in favor of a strike authorization, which allows the union’s bargaining unit to call for a work stoppage at any time. Though state law does not allow strikes by public sector employees, a FAQ section on the union’s website says nurses would only engage in a work stoppage to protest unfair labor practices, not to call for higher wages or to change the terms of their work. A Sept. 2 UMPNC statement said the bargaining team would only call a work stoppage if they deemed it “absolutely necessary.” Curtis said a strike would be a last resort and that the union just wants to openly discuss workload demands in its negotiations with the University. “We do not have a shortage of nurses willing to work, we have a shortage of nurses willing to work in the working conditions of our hospitals,” Curtis said. “We would like to do everything possible to avert any type of work stoppage, and we are prepared and willing to meet at any point in time and continue any discussions necessary.” When asked about a potential strike, Masson wrote that the hospital has extensive staffing plans in place if the union were to call for a work stoppage. “Patients in our hospital can expect our standard of care to continue,” Masson wrote. “We are concerned about future access,
but we have extensive plans in place as we’ve been preparing for the possibility of a strike authorization.” In an interview with The Daily, Anne Jackson, MNAUMPNC member and registered nurse, said despite the union’s size and 48-year tenure, the administration was failing to respect nurses’ basic rights. “This is all about holding the University accountable and (making) sure that they follow the law,” Jackson said. “We believe that they have failed to bargain in good faith. They’ve made improper changes to our working conditions … We believe they’re undermining the largest union on campus.” The possibility of a work stoppage in response to poor working conditions is not unique to nurses at Michigan Medicine. On Sept. 12, 15,000 members of the Minnesota Nurses Association went on strike to call for safer staffing and improved quality of care for patients. MNA-UMPNC has signaled support for Minnesota nurses, writing in a tweet that going on strike is not an easy decision to make. “It’s a heavy decision made with care and yes, with grief,” the tweet reads. “But also resolve, and dedication, and a responsibility to protect our patients and our profession. Shame on the administrators who push #nurses to this point.”
Read more at MichiganDaily.com
NEWS
A $490 million settlement between the University of Michigan and survivors of late U-M athletic doctor Robert Anderson has been approved and finalized, the University announced Friday evening. The settlement — which was first reached in January — required approval from 98% of the claimants, a benchmark which was recently reached according to the Friday press release. The finalization process lasted eight months and was facilitated by Robert F. Riley, a third-party mediator appointed by U.S. District Court Judge Victoria A. Roberts. Division of the settlement funds will be decided among claimants and their attorneys, and the University will not be involved in the process, the release says. Board of Regents Chair Paul Brown apologized to survivors in the press release, saying the University still has work to do to combat misconduct on campus. “The University of Michigan offers its heartfelt apology for the abuse perpetrated by the late Robert Anderson. We hope this settlement helps the healing process for survivors,” Brown wrote. “We consider this settlement just one of the steps we have taken in a process we began more than two years ago to fully understand what happened, make amends and enact reforms. Our work is not done until U-M is considered the leader in creating a campus environment that is safe for everyone.” In May 2020, the University hired law firm WilmerHale to investigate sexual misconduct allegations against Anderson and released the report a year later in 2021, finding “no doubt” that Anderson engaged in decadeslong patterns of abuse and that the University had known as early as 1975. Settlement negotiations began in October 2020 and represented over 1,000 survivors who have come forward with allegations against Anderson — possibly the largest number of allegations against a single person in U.S. history. Anderson was employed by the University from 1966 to 2003. During this time, he was a team physician and director of the University Health Services. In 2008, Anderson died and was never investigated or tried for his crimes. Survivors of Anderson have made a noticeable impact on the campus community in recent years. Jonathan Vaughn, an Anderson survivor
and former U-M football player, spearheaded multiple protests advocating for greater protection of students and increased transparency from the administration. For over 100 days, Vaughn camped outside of former University President Mark Schlissel’s house in protest of the University’s handling of the allegations against Anderson. His campsite was removed by the University after 150 days of protest. Though the University has issued an apology for Anderson’s perpetuation of abuse, Vaughn released a statement Friday evening saying that the administration has yet to apologize for its own handling of the allegations. “This will never compensate the pain and suffering we the survivors have gone through,” Vaughn wrote. “Regent Chair Paul W. Brown apologized for Dr. Anderson, but not for (the) University of Michigan’s role in this atrocity.” Vaughn added that seeing the University being held accountable is a step in the right direction, and that he hopes all who have been affected can begin a journey of healing. “After being involved in this fight for over 2 1/2 years University of Michigan is finally formally being held accountable for their involvement,” Vaughn wrote. “I hope this day can bring peace & healing to all the survivors affected. I am not John Doe. I am Jon Vaughn!” University Interim President Mary Sue Coleman wrote in the press release that the settlement is another move towards securing the safety of the campus community. “This settlement allows the university to protect future generations of students and everyone in the university community,” Coleman wrote. “It complements a separate settlement reached earlier this year that adds a Coordinated Community Response Team to the best practices now in place. We are committed to a safe, welcoming environment for everyone at Michigan.” Friday’s settlement with the Anderson survivors was finalized after another settlement was reached in March between the University and attorneys representing U-M students in a class-action lawsuit. The March settlement involved a promise to create the Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT) in an effort to address misconduct and increase transparency with the University’s response to sexual assault and harassment on campus.
Read more at MichiganDaily.com
ADMINISTRATION
Businesses lament loss of customer traffic amid Bivalent booster shots now available in Ann Arbor State Street construction Sidewalk closure drives away consumers, hurts profits on popular corridor
CHEN LYU Daily Staff Reporter
Since early June, State Street has been torn up between William Street and North University Avenue. Blockades seal off the area, leaving only a few narrow pathways for pedestrians to navigate from downtown Ann Arbor to campus. The construction blockage has also cut off vehicular access and taken away patio space from local businesses. Jim Saborio, the owner of Comet Coffee, a local cafe nestled inside Nickels Arcade, said as the creation of social districts in Downtown Ann Arbor transformed Main Street’s culture over the past year, State Street’s business rhythms were left outdated. “I feel like the two areas of town are very, very different now,” Saborio said. “There just seems (sic) to be fewer people (visiting State Street) than before. I feel like this summer in particular, this area was quiet.” In June as the construction project responsible for closing down most of State Street commenced.
This project, funded by the City of Ann Arbor and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), is part of the People-Friendly Streets initiative and will convert State Street into the City’s first curbless roadway. City officials hope the project will increase pedestrian safety, enhance foot traffic and strengthen local businesses, according to the project website. The project is broken into two phases. The first and current phase was anticipated to finish around Labor Day. However, three months JENNA HICKEY/Daily into the construction, the finish line Construction causes road closures on State St. Tuesday afternoon. is still out of sight. While the project caused it. The contractor’s schedule organizer to arrange their tents, and has run into sporadic incidents, has the road reopening on Oct. 7. the visitors no longer have to deal including a water main break in early Work remains for the year, but they with the curbs or other trip hazards.” June, Robert Kellar, communication will do that by occupying the parking AJ Davidson, president of Bivouac specialist of Ann Arbor Public spaces.” and the State Street District business Services Administration, said Maura Thomson, communications association, said he is excited about the prolonged delay is due to a manager for the DDA, said once the prospect of the project but miscommunication with the the construction is completed, the recognizes the huge toll construction contractor, and the construction will curbless street will bring direct has taken on businesses. continue for the rest of the calendar benefits for State Street businesses. “I think that the improvements year. “One of the keys of this curbless will be overall good for the street, so “The basic reason for the delay is design is it gives businesses the I’m excited for them to occur, and I that the pace of the project did not flexibility to use the space in front like the curbless design,” Davidson go as the contractor expected, Kellar of their business,” Thomson said. said. wrote in an email to The Michigan “(Curbless design) allows for Read more at MichiganDaily.com Daily. “There wasn’t one thing that much more flexibility for the event
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INDEX
MoJo to host vaccination sites, UHS, pharmacies offer appointments
MATTHEW SHANBOM Daily Staff Reporter
Multiple locations in the Ann Arbor area are now offering the new COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine. The bivalent booster — which was authorized by the Food and Drug Administration at the end of August — protects against the original, BA.4 and BA.5 strands of the highly contagious Omicron variant. The University Health Service (UHS) in collaboration with Walgreens, is running pop-up COVID-19 bivalent booster and flu shot clinics for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff. If available, individuals should bring insurance cards, prior vaccine records and photo IDs to the clinics. The bivalent booster is currently available to anyone age 18 and up and is free of charge. Walgreens pop up clinics are open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or when supplies run out. Individuals may find vaccines at the following dates and locations:
Vol. CXXXII, No. 92 ©2022 The Michigan Daily
Tuesday, September 13 – South Quad Transformer Room (next to the dining hall) Thursday, September 15 – South Quad Transformer Room (next to the dining hall) Monday, September 19 – Mosher Jordan (Upper Blue Market area) Wednesday, September 21 – Mosher Jordan (Upper Blue Market area) UHS also offers booster vaccines by appointment, which can be booked through the patient portal or by phone at 734-7648320. CVS and Walgreens have boosters available at their Ann Arbor locations by appointment only. Appointments must be made online. University spokesperson Kim Broekhuizen told The Michigan Daily over email that the University does not currently plan to require the bivalent booster.
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