FLINT, Mich., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa and Michigan Lt. Gov. John Cherry will lead a rally Wednesday, May 14, 2008, to show community support for more than 1,000 Local 332 nurses in contract negotiations with Genesys Regional Medical Center.
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The nurses are fighting to maintain low nurse-to-patient ratios and to continue quality, affordable health care to patients at Genesys, which is part of Ascension Health System. Though the company has been racking up steep profits and executive pay has escalated, it wants to cut Genesys nurses' own health care benefits and freeze wages in an effort to break the union.
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"This is a classic case of backward corporate priorities," Hoffa said. "To obtain even higher profits, Ascension is going after our Teamster nurses -- at the expense of patient care in the community. Ascension needs to bargain in good faith and negotiate a contract that is fair to their nurses and their patients. Ascension must be reminded that patients come first."
Also scheduled to speak are Local 332 President Nina Bugbee and Duane Zuckschwerdt, Director of United Auto Workers Region 1C.
WHO: Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President
Local 332 President Nina Bugbee
Lt. Gov. John Cherry
Duane Zuckschwerdt, Director of UAW Region 1C
WHAT: Community rally in support of nurses at Genesys Regional Medical Center
WHEN: 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2008
WHERE: Trillium Cinema
8220 Holly Road
Grand Blanc, MI 48439
SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
