Marquette Nurses’ Strike Continues

The strike by nurses at the Upper Peninsula’s largest hospital has moved into its second day. Members of the Michigan Nurses Association want UP Health System-Marquette to resolve what they say are dangerously low staffing levels. The walkout is scheduled to end tomorrow morning at 7:00, but union bargainer Janie Klamerus says they’ll keep the pressure on. “We will never stop bargaining. We are determined to bargain until we drop or until Duke LifePoint mans up and does what they’re supposed to do for our patients, what they need to do for our patients and our community.” UPHS spokesperson Victor Harrington says the hospital remains fully functional using temporary employees. Union workers building the new UP Health System hospital in Marquette will also strike again today, supporting the nurses. The contract impasse in Marquette does not affect nurses at UP Health System-Portage in Hancock.