Teamsters Continue to Demand Policies That Lead to Rampant Absenteeism

Grand Blanc, Mich.-- Henry Ford Genesys Hospital negotiators have met with Teamsters leaders approximately 60 times since April.
For the sake of our patients, community, and the hundreds of team members who are putting patients first, Henry Ford Genesys Hospital cannot and will not agree to the Teamsters demands around premium pay, attendance, and our ability to staff our hospital.
The Teamsters are aware that the policies they’re demanding have led to years of rampant absenteeism and poor morale and have helped to put Genesys Hospital in danger of closing. If the union truly cared for patients, they would let their members come back to work and help ensure the hospital remains open.
Important information to consider:
- The premium pay clause Teamsters are requesting incentivizes coordinated call-offs, where Teamsters take turns calling off scheduled shifts so that those who show up can get premium pay.
- Under the Teamsters’ contract that expired in August 2025, two or more consecutive days away from work counted as one absence. This led to rampant absenteeism and exorbitant amounts of premium pay. They’re demanding this same policy in their new contract.
- The hospital ended 2024 $53 million in the hole. Teamsters’ policies helped dig that hole. Genesys Hospital has not been profitable for years.
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