(The Center Square) – A labor dispute involving thousands of nurses in southeast Michigan is intensifying after workers authorized a potential strike.
Roughly 10,000 nurses at Corewell Health East hospitals voted to authorize a strike, with nearly 90% of participating union members supporting the move. This comes after months of stalled contract negotiations.
The authorization, announced last week, does not automatically trigger a walkout but gives union leaders the ability to call one if negotiations fail. The nurses are represented by Teamsters Local 2024 and have been negotiating their first contract since unionizing in November 2024.
Amid the escalating tensions, the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation issued a legal notice advising nurses of their rights if they choose to continue working in the event of a strike.
The notice tells nurses they can resign their union membership and return to work, which the group says would help them avoid potential union fines or internal discipline for crossing the picket line.
“The situation presents serious concerns for nurses who believe there is much to lose from a union-ordered strike and may not want to abandon their patients,” the notice states.
Foundation Vice President Patrick Semmens said the organization frequently hears from workers who feel pressured during strike situations.
“As Teamsters officials push a strike that will no doubt cause huge disruptions to Corewell patients as well as nurses and their families, the foundation simply wants to inform nurses who wish to rebuff the strike order and return to work that they have the right to do so,” Semmens told The Center Square.
He added that many workers in similar situations are hesitant to leave their posts.
“In our experience, many nurses don’t want to abandon their patients in these situations, but feel threatened,” Semmens said. “We want to make sure they know their rights and that we can provide free legal aid.”
The union says they are seeking improved nurse-to-patient ratios, higher wages, more affordable health insurance and stronger workplace safety protections. They began bargaining with Corewell in June 2025.
“We showed Corewell Health East we were united when we organized. We showed them we’re still united when we voted to authorize a strike,” the union said in a statement. “Teamsters nurses will remain united until we get the contract we deserve.”
The potential strike would affect hospitals in cities including Dearborn, Royal Oak, Troy and Southfield.
Corewell has said it has already agreed to wage increases, though negotiations have yet to produce a final agreement.
According to the foundation, one major issue it sees in the contract negotiations is a proposed provision that would require all represented nurses to pay union dues. The group argues such clauses could lead to termination for workers who refuse to financially support the union, though federal law limits what can be required of nonmembers.
The foundation’s notice also highlights that employees are allowed to opt out of paying for union political activities.
Semmens said the issue extends beyond the nurses directly involved.
“Michiganders, many of whom rely on the services of Corewell nurses, have good reason to be skeptical of the union’s claims about nurse support for this strike,” he said.
He added that workers should understand all their options before making a decision about joining the picket line if the strike is called.
“If Teamsters bosses order the strike, nurses will need to make a choice whether or not to participate,” Semmens said. “We want Corewell nurses to know they have the right to continue working.”
Similar disputes have unfolded elsewhere in the state, underscoring broader tensions in healthcare labor negotiations.
Union officials have not directly responded to the foundation’s notice, but the authorization vote indicates strong support for a strike among union members. It remains unclear whether or when a strike at Corewell Health East hospitals will be called as negotiations continue.
