UPDATE: the work stoppage has been avoided for the time being.

The University of Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals (UMMAP)/ AFT Local 6739 is planning a work stoppage on November 12.

Statement

The University of Michigan House Officers Association (HOA) supports our union siblings in UMMAP. We acknowledge that they have a moral right and imperative to organize a work stoppage to secure fair and just compensation.

The HOA has an effective labor contract, and its members will fully, faithfully, and properly perform their duties during this period. House Officers, who are off duty, are free to exercise their constitutional right of free speech and join in any demonstrations or picketing.

Our members should not be asked to perform duties outside the scope of their employment in order to cover for striking employees. If ordered to perform duties normally performed by striking employees, the House Officer should follow the directive and then immediately contact the HOA using the help button on our website.

House Officers should not volunteer to cover struck work.

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Guidance for House Officers:

What does a work stoppage mean?

It means that for a period of time specified by their bargaining team, UMMAP members will not report to work to conduct their normal job functions. This means that the employees in the job groups UMMAP represents: Lab and Pharmacy Techs, Behavioral Health, Medical Assistants, Transplant Coordinators, and Surgery Techs (amongst others) will not be there.

Why is UMMAP striking?

Members of UMMAP formed their union in February of 2023 and have been negotiating for a first contract with the hospital since January of this year. That means for 11 months, they have been trying to secure the types of rights and benefits that HOA members have enjoyed since 1972. Unfortunately, as people who were here for our last negotiations can tell you, the hospital sometimes makes negotiations difficult. For UMMAP this has meant either insultingly low proposals from management, or sometimes no proposals at all. The members of UMMAP hope to exert pressure on the hospital through a work stoppage.

I thought strikes for public sector workers are illegal in Michigan?

They are. Which is why UMMAP members did not come to this decision lightly. After nearly a year of negotiations though, they were pushed to the point where this is the only option. It is a brave and principled stand and they deserve our support and respect. 

Can I join any of the picketing?

Yes, our members should feel free to show their support and attend any UMMAP picketing. However, for your protection both under the law and under the HOA contract, we ask that you only do this at times when you are not scheduled to work. House Officers should show up to work and perform their duties in full throughout the work stoppage. 

Does that mean I have to fill-in for striking UMMAP workers?

No, and our members should not be asked to. Proactively, like when similar situations have occurred, the HOA Board sent a letter to hospital management and the UM Board of Regents asking that in the event of a strike the hospital reduces operations to bare essentials in order to protect patient care. We are hopeful that they will take that advice. 

If they do not heed that advice, you should not volunteer to take on work normally performed by striking employees, especially if it is not one of your normal functions and if there is not an immediate patient care need. If an HOA member is ordered to take work normally performed by a striking employee, our advice is to follow the directive and perform the work. As soon as possible during or after, contact the HOA using the Help button on our website 

Patient safety is as always the top priority, so everyone understands that this is not a hard boundary. Do what you need to do to ensure patient care. At the same time, it is inevitable with a large amount of the workforce absent that things will move slower and will be less efficient. Do not feel the need to rush procedures in order to keep up with your normal pace. Our members are also stretched thin, which is why we asked for reduced operations in the first place. Rushing harms patient care.