AFTRA Detroit Supports Nurses at the Detroit Medical Center

Kim Wilson, AFTRA-Detroit’s Assistant Executive Director, and long-time member, Peter Werbe (pictured together below), represented the local at an International Human Rights Day, December 10 rally in support of 2,000 Detroit Medical Center nurses’ drive to organize a union at the hospitals. The response of DMC CEO Mike Duggan has been to launch an aggressive campaign against the nurses using intimidation tactics, hiring six attorneys to delay an election, and hiring an anti-union consultant.


The response of people rallying in front of Harper Hutzel Hospital was to demand that Duggan and the DMC sign a Fair Election Agreement and stop blocking a union recognition vote. Representatives of the UAW, SEIU, Steelworkers, and many other unions were among the crowd that chanted and sang after listening to talks from Detroit Councilwoman, Joanne Watson, Rev. Ed Rowe, and other speakers. Even Santa Claus got into the act leading a chant of "Be Fair to Those Who Care!"

DMC is currently the largest employer in the city of Detroit with 15,000 staff, approximately 3,000 nurses.  DMC consists of 8 hospitals, 2 nursing centers, 100 outpatient facilities, consisting of 2,000 licensed beds. DMC provides for about 25% of Michigan's Medicaid care.  In 2006 DMC received 60% of Michigan's Medicaid, $389 million in public funds. Last year, DMC grossed $33 million in profit alone.

DMC RN's and community leaders testify before the House Labor Committee on DMC's use of public funds to wage an anti-union organizing campaign.
The house Labor Committee held a hearing on November 30, 2007 in Detroit on House Bill No. 4443 which would prohibit the use of public funds for anti-union campaigns.  State Representative Fred Miller and Mark Meadows listened to testimony and expressed their concern at public funds being diverted away from patient care to harassing and intimidating nurses. This statute enforces neutrality and would restrict employers from using state money to fight unionization. The House Labor Committee will continue to follow the DMC organizing campaign.  Chairman Miller promised to keep this legislation on the agenda and move it into the full house for a vote.

(Source: The DMC Organizing Committee for Change, 2007)

For more information, plese call the DMC Organizing Hotline at 248.799.0808.