Michigan Health Care Workers Become Teamsters

Nurses, Aides, and Other Employees Join Teamsters Local 406

(CEDAR SPRINGS, Mich.) - Two groups of health care workers at Intersect Healthcare of Cedar Springs in Cedar Springs, Mich., overwhelmingly voted to join Teamsters Local 406. The groups include 19 registered nurses and 52 other workers including CNAs, activities and laundry aides, housekeepers, food and nutrition aides, cooks, drivers, EVS technicians, and maintenance employees.

"These employees led their organizing campaign and saw it through to the finish," said Ellis Wood, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 406. "They overcame every obstacle, including two full-time union busters that were on site for nearly a month. We look forward to helping them negotiate a strong first Teamsters contract."

The health care workers unionized to win strong wages that keep up with the industry standard, better benefits, and improved working conditions.

"We organized because we were tired of unfair treatment, lagging pay, and chronic understaffing that hurt our residents," said Chris Rowland, new member of Local 406 and organizing committee leader. "Many of us have spent years caring for them, missing birthdays, holidays, and time with our own families. Our residents and co-workers are family. When management wouldn't protect that family, we organized to protect it ourselves."

Teamsters Local 406 represents workers in a variety of job classifications across Michigan. For more information, visit teamsterslocal406.org.

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