McLaren Port Huron Workers Unite for Better Conditions, Form Union

Health Care Workers Unite at McLaren Port Huron Hospital for Better Conditions

PORT HURON, Mich. – In a significant move towards enhancing workplace conditions and patient care, health care staff at McLaren Port Huron Hospital have successfully voted to unionize. This collective action was driven by a shared desire to address the challenges faced in their professional environment.

The formation of this union, in association with AFSCME Michigan, marks a pivotal step for registered nurses, case managers, and nontechnical workers who are aiming to have a stronger influence on job-related decisions and community care initiatives.

"We know that we are just getting started,” expressed Breahna Snay, a registered nurse at the facility. “But it is a relief to know that we will finally have a voice in our working conditions and the care we provide to the community. We are ready to take our seats at the table and bargain a contract that will benefit the employees, patients, and the entire Port Huron community.”

Amidst increasing demands in the health care sector, where workers frequently face heavier workloads with limited resources, the staff at McLaren Port Huron decided to opt for a unionized approach to ensure better working conditions and patient outcomes.

Jeremy Wittmer, a nurse aide, shared his perspective on the efforts: “From the start of this organizing effort, we knew that it would be an uphill battle. We watched as other health care workers won their unions, and we could not be happier to join the AFSCME family! We are ready to have our voices heard and build the foundation for a stronger McLaren Port Huron.”

This achievement is part of a broader movement among Michigan’s health care workers, who are increasingly advocating for respect, safe staffing, and the right to influence key workplace decisions.

“The workers at McLaren Port Huron have exercised their right to organize their union,” stated Gino Carbenia, executive director of AFSCME Michigan. “Now they can continue to build their power, meet management at the table, and collectively address their workplace concerns.”