10,000 Nurses Rally Against Corewell Health, Demand Fair Treatment

The Facts -

10,000 Nurses Rally for Fair Treatment

In a powerful demonstration of unity, Teamsters Local 2024 members at Corewell Health East gathered in Detroit to voice their demand for fair treatment from their employer. The event saw participation from Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and other officials, rallying against perceived injustices by corporate management.

Fred Zuckerman addressed the crowd, stating, “It’s no secret that management at Corewell has been disrespecting you and your co-workers for a long time. And now that you’ve become Teamsters, they are all too eager to continue that disrespect. Well, I’ve got one thing to say to Corewell: buckle up — because you’re in for the fight of your life.”

The rally follows a significant victory for the nurses in November 2024, when they overcame a $1.7 million campaign to deter unionization by joining the Teamsters with a strong majority. However, since this victory, nurses report facing discrimination from Corewell Health East, such as being excluded from wage increases, bonuses, and 403(b) matches that nonunion employees receive.

Alyson Zajac, a nurse from Corewell Health East, expressed the sentiments of many, saying, “We are being attacked by our own employer — but these attacks only pour fuel on the fire within us as pissed off, fed up, and overworked nurses.”

With contract negotiations set to begin next week, nearly 10,000 nurses are preparing for their first collective bargaining agreement, hoping to secure fair treatment and equal economic opportunities.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, founded in 1903, represents over 1.3 million members in various regions, including the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. For more details, visit Teamster.org. Keep up with updates on X @Teamsters and Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

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