Corewell Health East Nurses Vote to Authorize Strike

Nurses demand better staffing ratios, wages, and benefits as contract negotiations stall

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:05am

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Thousands of Corewell Health nurses in southeast Michigan have voted to authorize a strike after nearly 90% of registered nurses supported the move. The nurses, represented by Teamsters Local 2024, are demanding improved working conditions including safe nurse-to-patient ratios, fair wages, affordable health insurance, and better workplace safety. The union says contract negotiations have stalled as the health system has canceled benefits and violated labor laws.

Why it matters

This vote highlights the ongoing tensions between nurses and hospital systems over staffing levels, compensation, and working conditions. As the healthcare industry faces staffing shortages, nurses are increasingly advocating for changes to improve patient care and their own well-being. The potential strike could disrupt medical services in the region if an agreement is not reached.

The details

Nearly 90% of registered nurses at Corewell Health East's nine hospitals in southeast Michigan voted to authorize a strike. The nurses, represented by Teamsters Local 2024, are demanding better nurse-to-patient ratios, fair wages, affordable health insurance, and improved workplace safety. The union says contract negotiations have stalled after the health system decided to cancel a student loan repayment program and eliminate "pull pay" which ensures higher wages when nurses are reassigned. Corewell Health says it remains committed to reaching an agreement with the Teamsters.

  • The nurses voted to unionize in November 2024.
  • Contract negotiations have been ongoing since June 2025.

The players

Teamsters Local 2024

The union representing about 10,000 nurses at Corewell Health East.

Rachel Szadyr

A Corewell cardiac nurse and member of the bargaining committee.

Corewell Health

The health system that operates the nine hospitals where the nurses work.

Mark Geary

Corewell's senior director of communications.

Tom Erickson

The lead negotiator and Teamsters Central Region international vice president.

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What they’re saying

“This overwhelming strike vote shows that nurses are done being bullied into silence while executives put profits over patients and gamble with our safety and our licenses.”

— Rachel Szadyr, Corewell cardiac nurse and member of the bargaining committee (Teamsters Local 2024 press release)

“We care about our nurses and have made significant investments in wages and benefits. We remain committed to reaching an agreement with the Teamsters. The results of the strike authorization vote will not change our approach, and we believe talk of a strike is premature. Neither side has made a final offer, and we will continue to bargain in good faith.”

— Mark Geary, Corewell's senior director of communications (detroitnews.com)

“The clock is ticking for Corewell Health East to offer Teamsters nurses the contract they deserve — or 10,000 nurses will take this fight to the streets. This greedy corporate hospital system spent millions to try to stop these nurses from becoming Teamsters and now they are hemorrhaging even more money on anti-union attorneys who want to keep workers from getting the best possible contract.”

— Tom Erickson, Teamsters Central Region international vice president (Teamsters Local 2024 press release)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This vote highlights the ongoing tensions between nurses and hospital systems over staffing levels, compensation, and working conditions. As the healthcare industry faces staffing shortages, nurses are increasingly advocating for changes to improve patient care and their own well-being. The potential strike could disrupt medical services in the region if an agreement is not reached.