What Teamsters are Saying and What You Should Know About the Strike at Genesys Hospital

Grand Blanc, Mich.--Teamsters leaders have been clear: the indefinite strike at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital is about pushing their national agenda. Henry Ford Genesys Hospital's agenda is, and always will be, supporting and recognizing our nurses' unique, professional expertise and providing the high-quality comprehensive health care the people of Genesee County deserve. We encourage all audiences to consider the Teamsters' claims in light of the facts below. 

Additional information about strike can be found here.

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING:

“If they're making an investment in infrastructure, they should make the investment in those supporting people, the people that make them the success that they are, and that's the nurses." –Teamsters general president, ABC 12 News, 10/23/25

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Investments in infrastructure—hospital upgrades, new surgical suites, and more-- are investments in patient care and the working conditions of every one of our team members.

DIG DEEPER:

• Henry Ford Genesys Hospital's contract proposal includes wage increases ranging between 3.0-8.6%, with the average RN salary increase being 5.3%. Annual wage increases are also included throughout the contract term.
• Based on the contract offered, 60% of union members will have a base rate pay of more than $100,000 a year. This does not include overtime or holiday pay. The average annual salary for an RN in Michigan is $90,580.

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING
“The nonprofit hospital reported an operating income of $294.2 million in 2024.” – Teamsters.com 10/23/25 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
That's false. Henry Ford Genesys Hospital ended 2024 $53 million in the hole. The Teamsters’ policies helped dig that hole, long before Henry Ford Health began operating Genesys Hospital in October 2024.

DIG DEEPER:

• Non-profit earnings are reinvested in patient care, but Henry Ford Genesys Hospital hasn’t been profitable for years and is danger of closing. 
• We told Teamsters leaders the hospital is in financial jeopardy and asked them to help us keep the hospital open. 
• Teamsters’ leaders like Dan Glass and Sean O’Brien are holding out for policies that help line their own pockets and finance their national agenda by encouraging union members to call out sick nearly 6,000 times in eight months, so nurses pay more dues.
• On Oct. 23, the Teamsters’ general president admitted this strike is about pushing the union’s national agenda. 
  
   

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING:
"Henry Ford continues to head down the path of union busting. They show zero desire to address the concerns of our RN's in regards to a commitment to honor our contractual ratios.” –ABC 12 News, 10/15/25

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The contract on the table includes the same nurse-to-patient ratios that were in the Teamsters contract that expired in August, but we cannot agree to a new contract that opens the door to rampant absenteeism. It’s not in the best interest of patients or other team members. 

DIG DEEPER:

• On Oct. 23, the Teamsters’ general president visited the picket line and admitted this strike is about pushing the union’s national agenda. He didn’t say one word about patient safety or the well-being of Grand Blanc community.
• Teamsters want the new contract to include premium pay based on the number of nurses working on a unit each day. The contract that expired in August 2025 included similar language.
  • The clause incentivizes coordinated call-offs, where Teamsters take turns calling off scheduled shifts so that those who show up can get premium pay.
  • Teamsters members called off 5,872 times between Jan. 1 and Aug. 18, 2025.

• In the first half of 2025, Teamsters received $1.27 million in premium pay tied to this clause in their contract.
• On average, 25 Teamsters members called off each day at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital — the equivalent of an entire unit of staff.
  • At Henry Ford Rochester Hospital, on average, 4 nurses call off each day; at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, 11 nurses call off each day. Both hospitals are similar in size and scale to Henry Ford Genesys Hospital.
• Teamsters have proposed that to be counted absent one day, members need to actually be absent two or more consecutive days. In other words, a member could call off shifts for an entire work week but only be considered absent two days. 
• We’ve been negotiating in good faith with Teamsters leaders since April, meeting with them nearly 60 times, including with state and federal mediators.

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING:

“They are an anti-union employer who wants nothing to do with any of the unions that they currently have. They’re trying to push everybody out.” –Teamsters Local 332 President, WNEM-TV, 10/16/25 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
We are deeply committed to fostering direct relationships with our team members. At the same time, we are proud of the positive relationships we’ve built with our union colleagues for many years and continue to recognize the role they play.

DIG DEEPER:

• Henry Ford Health has historically enjoyed positive and productive relationships with a small number of unions.
• Henry Ford Genesys Hospital and AFSCME Local 3518, which represents 370 team members in support services roles, successfully reached a labor agreement in August 2025.
• The strike by Teamsters Local 332 is only the second strike by an organization representing nurses in Henry Ford Health’s 115-year history.

“It’s unsafe for the patients. We’ve got to get our ratios honored. That’s why we’re out here.” –Teamsters 332 President, Tri-County Times, 10/15/25

To maintain ideal nurse-to-patient ratios, people need to come to work. Under the expired contract, Teamsters were eligible for premium pay based on the number of nurses working on a unit each day. Teamsters members called off 5,872 times between Jan. 1 and Aug. 18, 2025.

• On average, 25 Teamsters members called off each day at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital — the equivalent of an entire unit of staff. 
  • At Henry Ford Rochester Hospital, on average, 4 nurses call off each day; at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, 11 nurses call off each day. Both hospitals are similar in size and scale to Henry Ford Genesys Hospital.
• Since the strike started, we’ve been experiencing fewer call-offs, which has allowed us to consistently maintain our ideal nurse-to-patient ratios. And we haven’t changed our staffing model.
• The contract Genesys leaders put on the table includes the exact same nurse-to-patient ratios that were included in the Teamsters contract that expired Aug. 20. 
• Under the expired contract, Teamsters were eligible for premium pay based on the number of patients they care for each day. The clause incentivizes coordinated call-offs, where Teamsters take turns calling off scheduled shifts so that those who show up can get premium pay. This is not in the best interest of patients or other team members. This is one of the aspects of the contract that we have been negotiating.
• Not all 750 Teamsters are striking. We’re grateful that many chose to resign from the union and return to work.

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING:
“Like any employer, they have an attendance policy,” Glass said. “If [Teamsters] called off seven times, they would have been subject to termination. I don’t recall any terminations for attendance issues.” –Crain’s Detroit Business, 10/3/25

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Union members who accumulate eight absences in a rolling 12-month period get a written warning because until August 2025, Genesys Hospital leaders were contractually obliged to follow an attendance policy prescribed by the Teamsters that was significantly more lenient than Henry Ford Health’s system-wide policy. The attendance policy in the Teamsters contract led to abuse. 

DIG DEEPER:

• Teamsters have proposed that to be counted absent one day, members need to actually be absent two or more consecutive days. In other words, a member could call off a shift for an entire work week but only be considered absent two days. This is similar to a clause that was in the contract that expired in August 2025.
• Under the Teamsters contract that expired in August 2025, union members can be absent eight times in 12 months before receiving a written warning. They can be absent 16 times in 12 months before being terminated.
• Teamsters members called off 5,872 times between Jan. 1 and Aug. 18, 2025. 
• On average, 25 Teamsters members called off each day at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital — the equivalent of an entire unit of staff. 
  • At Henry Ford Rochester Hospital, on average, 4 nurses call off each day; at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, 11 nurses call off each day. Both hospitals are similar in size and scale to Henry Ford Genesys Hospital.
• Under the expired contract, Teamsters were eligible for premium pay based on the number of nurses working on a unit each day. The clause incentivizes coordinated call-offs, where Teamsters take turns calling off scheduled shifts so that those who show up can get premium pay. This is not in the best interest of patients or other team members. This is one of the aspects of the contract that we have been negotiating.
• Since the strike started, we’ve been experiencing fewer call-offs, which has allowed us to consistently maintain our ideal nurse-to-patient ratios. And we haven’t changed our staffing model.

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING:
“Nurses on strike at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital say they were ordered to remove all of their tents, chairs and fixed objects”– ABC 12 News, 9/30/25

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
We respect the union’s right to strike and to picket, but the picket is taking place on hospital property and the union’s rights are not unlimited.

On Tuesday, Sept. 30 the parties reached a handshake agreement that the union would remove most of their things. In turn, the hospital granted the union certain accommodations to support their picketing efforts provided no more violations occur.

DIG DEEPER:

• Henry Ford Genesys Hospital representatives had been in dialogue with the Teamsters for about two weeks regarding the things they’ve placed on hospital property that made it difficult for patients, visitors and team members to come and go from the hospital and posed a public safety threat, such as their burn barrels.

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING:

Union rep: striking nurses at Henry Ford Genesys turned away after shooting.  –The Detroit News, Sept. 28, 2025

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
When the Teamsters gave notice that they planned to strike indefinitely, we made arrangements to care for the community in every circumstance. Henry Ford Genesys Hospital is fully staffed with experienced caregivers and able to care for all our patients, including those injured in the shooting and fire at the nearby church.

DIG DEEPER:

• For security and patient privacy purposes, striking team members do not have access to our systems, including electronic medical records, nor are they able to access medications. That would make it impossible to provide patient care.
• Because of the indefinite strike, we’d already made alternative staffing arrangements. Henry Ford Genesys Hospital was appropriately staffed Sunday and team members were able to care for the patients from the church tragedy without additional help. 
• Bringing too many team members into a fluid, multi-casualty emergency situation has the potential to endanger or compromise the ongoing care.
• We look forward to continuing negotiations but respectfully ask we do not use the tragedy that occurred in our community as a bargaining tool.

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING:
[Henry Ford Genesys Hospital] did not negotiate in good faith. They weren't really prepared to talk about the things that we wanted to talk about." (ABC 12 News, 9/25/25)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
We’ve been negotiating in good faith with Teamsters leaders since April, meeting with them more than 50 times, including with state and federal mediators. We're committed to working with our union partners to develop a long-term plan that will ensure the hospital continues serving the community. We know that this requires collaboration, and we are eager for the teamsters to join us in this effort. 

DIG DEEPER:

• As determined by the National Labor Relations Act (NRLA)  the mandatory subjects for bargaining are pay, hours, benefits, and terms and conditions of employment (such as seniority, scheduling practices, promotions, transfers, and grievance processes)
• While the law requires good-faith negotiations, an employer does not have to agree to a proposal or make concessions. An employer may present a last, best, final offer when good-faith negotiations have exhausted the prospects of reaching an agreement.
• The issues separating both sides are complex and difficult, and we are working with mediators during this process, which is common practice in labor negotiations.

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING: 
“Henry Ford Genesys must come back to the bargaining table with a proposal that finally guarantees safe nurse-to-patient ratios, fair wages, and better working conditions for the Teamsters who make the hospital run.” (Facebook 9/18/25)

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
The contract Genesys leaders put on the table includes the exact same nurse-to-patient ratios that were included in the Teamsters contract that expired Aug. 20; an important change is that the new proposed contract addresses the premium pay tied to those ratios.

DIG DEEPER:

• Under the expired contract, Teamsters were eligible for premium pay based on the number of patients they care for each day. The clause incentivizes coordinated call-offs, where Teamsters take turns calling off scheduled shifts so that those who show up can get premium pay. This is not in the best interest of patients or other team members.
• A Henry Ford Genesys Hospital payroll analysis shows premium pay tied to nurse-to-patient ratios has resulted in:
  o Payroll periods of up to $15,000 for some Teamsters 
  o Teamsters receiving $1.27 million in premium pay in the first half of 2025
• Contractually mandated ratios do not guarantee consistent staffing.
• Mandated staffing ratios hinder our ability to adapt to varying patient conditions.
• We consider multiple factors when staffing our hospitals, including recognized industry standards and patient volumes. 
• Research indicates mandated ratios don’t change patient outcomes or lead to a better patient experience — they can increase wait times and patient boarding in emergency departments, delay transfers of patients into ICUs, and lead to clinically unnecessary patient transfers between hospitals. 
• A peer-reviewed study on the impact of government-mandated ratios in Massachusetts ICUs, based on a June 2014 law setting a maximum patient-to-nurse ratio of 2:1, found mandated ratios did not increase nurse staffing or change patient outcomes. 
• The proposed contract includes a robust and competitive compensation package that includes overtime and benefits that align with what’s offered across the 13-hospital Henry Ford Health system.
  o The average annual salary for an RN in Michigan is $90,580.
  o Based on the contract offered, 60% of union members will have a base rate pay of more than $100,000 a year. This does not include overtime or holiday pay.

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING: 
“Nurses are regularly assigned over contractual ratios, and at times those ratios climb to as much as double or more the contractual limit—placing both patients and nurses at risk”
(Facebook, 9/22/2025)

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
To maintain ideal nurse-to-patient ratios, people need to come to work.

DIG DEEPER:

• Under the expired contract, Teamsters were eligible for premium pay based on the number of patients they care for each day. The clause incentivizes coordinated call-offs, where Teamsters take turns calling off scheduled shifts so that those who show up can get premium pay. This is not in the best interest of patients or other team members. This is one of the aspects of the contract that we have been negotiating.
  o Teamsters members called off 5,872 times between Jan. 1 and Aug. 18, 2025. 
  o In the first half of 2025, Teamsters received $1.27 million in premium pay tied to this clause in their contract. 

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING
“The hospital is trying to gut a contract that has protected RNs and patients for decades, replacing it with corporate Henry Ford policies.” (Facebook, 9/22/2025)

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
When Henry Ford Health took over operations of Genesys Hospital in 2024, new leaders determined provisions in previous contracts between Genesys Hospital and the Teamsters are not in the best interest of patients, team members, or efficient and fiscally responsible hospital operations.

DIG DEEPER:

• Under the expired contract, Teamsters were eligible for premium pay based on the number of patients they care for each day. The clause incentivizes coordinated call-offs, where Teamsters take turns calling off scheduled shifts so that those who show up can get premium pay. This is not in the best interest of patients or other team members.  This is one of the aspects of the contract that we have been negotiating.
• The competitive compensation package on the table is aligned with what’s offered across all 13 Henry Ford Health acute care hospitals.
• Genesys Hospital has been in steep financial decline for years, with average annual losses of about $50 million. This is not sustainable. To continue serving the people of this community, we must take strategic and thoughtful steps to restore the hospital’s financial stability. Labor negotiations are happening amid these turnaround efforts. 

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING: 
“Historically, RNs at Genesys have accepted lower wages than neighboring hospitals because our contractual nurse-to-patient ratios were always honored by the medical center.” (Facebook, 9/22/2025)

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: 
The contract Genesys leaders put on the table includes the exact same nurse-to-patient ratios that were included in the Teamsters contract that expired Aug. 20. The proposed contract also includes a robust and competitive compensation package that includes overtime and benefits that align with what’s offered across the 13-hospital Henry Ford Health system. 

DIG DEEPER:

• An important change is that the new proposed contract addresses the premium pay tied to nurse-to-patient ratios. Under the expired contract, Teamsters were eligible for premium pay based on the number of patients they care for each day. The clause incentivizes coordinated call-offs, where Teamsters take turns calling off scheduled shifts so that those who show up can get premium pay. This is not in the best interest of patients or other team members. This is one of the aspects of the contract that we have been negotiating.
  o Teamsters members called off 5,872 times between Jan. 1 and Aug. 18, 2025.
  o In the first half of 2025, Teamsters received $1.27 million in premium pay tied to this clause in their contract.
• The average annual salary for an RN in Michigan is $90,580. 
• Based on the contract offered, 60% of union members will have a base rate pay of more than $100,000 a year. This does not include overtime or holiday pay.

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING:

“The employer has shown no interest in a true partnership with the union and tried to strip nurses of their voice in the bargaining process.” (Facebook, 9/22/25)

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
While we may not agree on every detail, we believe Henry Ford Genesys Hospital and Teamsters share the same goal– keeping Genesys strong. We're committed to working with our union partners to develop a long-term plan that will ensure the hospital continues serving the community. We know that this requires collaboration, and we are eager for the teamsters to join us in this effort. 

 DIG DEEPER:

• We’ve been negotiating in good faith with Teamsters leaders since April, meeting with them more than 50 times, including with state and federal mediators.
• Henry Ford Health complies with all applicable labor strike laws. 
• The strike by Teamsters Local 332 is believed to be only the second strike in Henry Ford Health’s 110-year history

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING:

I have not been granted vacation time in over a year. To take any time off I either have to find someone to cover my shift which I tried to do or I have to use one of my sick days in order to go and to have any time off and the burnout is real. (WEYI-TV, 9/5/25)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
At Henry Ford Genesys Hospital, we grant vacation in accordance with the Teamsters Local 332 contract which allots vacation requests based on seniority.  We agree that nurses with less seniority may have trouble getting requests granted when there are multiple requests for the same date from nurses with more seniority.  

DIG DEEPER:

• At Henry Ford Health sites where we are not bound by a union contract, all team members get access to paid time off. 
• Henry Ford Genesys Hospital’s proposed contract includes a robust and competitive compensation package that includes overtime, benefits, and paid time off.

WHAT TEAMSTERS ARE SAYING: 
“I have had 6 patients quite a few times on my…nursing unit, which we’re supposed to max have 4, and it’s very difficult.”  (ABC 12 News, 9/18/25)

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
To maintain ideal nurse-to-patient ratios, people need to come to work. Teamsters members called off 5,872 times between Jan. 1 and Aug. 18, 2025.

DIG DEEPER:

• Under the contract that expired Aug. 20, Teamsters were eligible for premium pay based on the number of patients they care for each day, which may incentivize call-offs and decrease the number of nurses available to care for patients. In the first half of 2025, Teamsters received $1.27 million in premium pay tied to this clause in their contract. This is one of the aspects of the contract that we have been negotiating.
• There has been a 22.9% surge in Teamsters call-offs at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital in the past year. 
• On the weekend before the strike, 80 scheduled nurses called off work. That is the equivalent of three and a half units of staff. 
• In the week leading to the strike 252 scheduled nurses called off work.
• Since the strike began, we’re experiencing fewer call-offs, which has allowed us to consistently maintain our ideal nurse-to-patient ratios. We haven’t changed our staffing model.
• On average, 25 Teamsters members call off each day at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital — the equivalent of an entire unit of staff. 
  o At Henry Ford Rochester Hospital, on average, 4 nurses call off each day; at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, 11 nurses call off each day. Both hospitals are similar in size and scale to Henry Ford Genesys Hospital. 

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This article was originally posted on Aug. 30, 2025. It is frequently updated.

MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY: mediarelations@hfhs.org