"Beaumont used to be a best place to work and retire at with excellent patient care and great benefits. When I started, it was difficult to get hired in because no one left except for retirement or relocation out of Michigan. Beaumont was a tight family unit so to speak. But in 2007/2008, that changed and the cuts began. Beaumont executives said they did this because the economy was bad, and we believed them. However, it seems like nothing has gotten better since then – it feels like it’s all been downhill. I am afraid to see the doctor or have a procedure because of the astronomical out of pocket payments that we could be paying for months and years to come. I want to form a union to have a voice in what affects our patients and us. Winning our union will give us a VOICE at the table and will allow us to NEGOTIATE what affects our patients and ourselves."
Philomena Kerobo, RN, 3S FBC, 18.5 years and counting |
"I want to form a union of Beaumont nurses that will fight for our patients and lend a voice of reason when it comes to the "budget". I want management to hear that it is acceptable to have a little less profit for safe patient care. Forming a union would mean that Beaumont nurses (the people advocating for our patients everyday) will have a seat at the table when decisions are made that affect their care. It would also mean that we could negotiate fair wages and benefits that would attract and retain the most talented nurses in the area. Having a union means having a strong, loud voice to remind budget managers that people are affected by the decisions made, not just the numbers at the bottom of a balance sheet."
Rick Neal, RN, Interventional Radiology, 11 years at Beaumont |
"Because nurses are the ones with constant contact with our patients, we know what patients want better than anyone else. We are with them more than their own family at the best and worst times of their life. A voice for nursing staff is also a louder voice for our patients. A union would mean that the nurses of Beaumont finally have a say in the safety of their patients as well as the trajectory of their career."
Brandon Figueroa, RN, 5C Nephrology, 1.5 years at Beaumont
"I am proud to be MNA Strong! I want to form a union to advocate for safe staffing levels for nurses, transparency from our administration, and the pay and benefits necessary to recruit and retain quality RNs. As nurses, we want to have the resources to be able to deliver the higher quality, meticulous and empathetic care we all strive to be capable of. Let's make Beaumont the workplace I know it can be for us and for our patients!"
Irina Schmidt, RN, Emergency Center 5 years at Beaumont |
"I want to form a union with the MNA so that we as Nurses will have a stronger voice collectively to improve our patients' future as well as our own. I look forward to standing union strong for an improved work place!" |
"My career at Beaumont has just been a huge roller coaster mostly plummeting downhill from how things were when I first hired in. I will be honest, I have even considered a complete career change because how demoralized Beaumont’s corporate attitude has made me feel over the last 3-5 years. Ultimately, I am still here because I am a dedicated employee that loves being a nurse, I have amazing co-workers, and I genuinely enjoy the work I do in my department. Until I heard about a union being formed, I was just biding my time until I found the right job to be able to leave Beaumont. Now, I have a fresh hope and just want to do everything I can to make Beaumont a better place where we don’t have to feel defeated and can be proud of where we work again. We have had some rough years, but I am confident that if we bind together with one voice, we will all be amazed by what we can accomplish. I look forward to working with you all to bring Beaumont back to truly be the leader in health care that they claim to be."
Jacob Blaszyk, RN, Endoscopy, 15 years at Beaumont
"I want to form a union to have a voice in decision making process and to advocate for safer staffing. Winning a union would mean nurses are better positioned to advocate for patient safety. I’m proud to be Union Strong!"
Christie Buck, RN, 3 East, 19 years at Beaumont |
"I would like to see Beaumont become the attractive employer they once were. I have seen amazing nurses leave Beaumont purely out of frustration related to pay, benefits and working conditions. Winning a union would create the foundation for us to begin having a voice in safe patient care and empower nurses at the bedside."
Liz Martinez, RN, Emergency Center 8 years at Beaumont |