Henry Ford Genesys Hospital Commits to Increasing Wages, Safe Staffing as Teamsters’ Strike Passes 180-Day Mark

GRAND BLANC, Mich. – Henry Ford Genesys Hospital is increasing its contract offer to nurses represented by Teamsters Local 332 as the union’s strike continues past the six-month mark.  The new offer results in total wage increases of up to 13%, ensures safe staffing, and guarantees every striking union member an opportunity to return to work.  

The proposed contract, which was presented to the union last week, builds upon the most recent discussions between hospital representatives and Teamsters leaders. The parties have met more than 80 times since negotiations began in April 2025, often with the support of state, federal and private mediators.

Teamsters went on strike on Sept. 1, 2025. Sunday marked the six-month anniversary and 181st day of their indefinite strike.

All the while, Genesys Hospital continues to provide safe, high-quality care. Over the past six months the team inside the hospital has cared for the community through more than 19,000 emergency department visits, 4,100 surgeries, 6,700 inpatient stays, and 600 births. 

The contract Genesys Hospital is offering addresses these key topics of negotiation: 

WAGES AND BENEFITS

Teamsters have stated publicly that they want a contract that attracts and retains highly qualified nurses. The hospital’s offer increases wages by up to 13% for some nurses, making the average Genesys Hospital nurse’s salary approximately $100,000 a year. This does not include overtime or holiday pay. The average annual salary for an RN in Michigan is $90,580.

In November, the hospital legally implemented the terms of a previous contract proposal and raised the salaries for nurses who chose to work through the strike or joined Genesys Hospital after the strike began by up to 8.6%. The increase reflected the need to raise below-market wages agreed to in previous contracts between Teamsters Local 332 and former hospital operators.

In the contract proposal presented last week, the hospital offered nurses an additional increase, through a market differential, reflecting Henry Ford Health’s ongoing commitment to recruiting and retaining nurses in rural markets like Grand Blanc. 

The offer also includes a robust benefits package and guaranteed wage increases aligned with projected wage increases for Henry Ford Health’s non-union team members.  

SAFE STAFFING

Teamsters Local 332 members claim they’re striking for safe staffing and guaranteed nurse-to-patient ratios.

Throughout negotiations, which began in April 2025, Genesys Hospital has offered the exact same nurse-to-patient ratios that were included in the Teamsters’ previous contract. 

The hospital’s proposal is consistent with Henry Ford Health’s system-wide staffing model. It includes tools and financial incentives to ensure additional support is available when necessary and the ability to expand the use of the health system’s internal staffing pool to provide additional staff support to the Genesys Hospital team.

Henry Ford Health hospitals across southeast Michigan routinely earn “A” Leapfrog safety grades. Safety measures outlined in the proposed contract reflect hospital leaders’ commitment to bringing that same level of consistent quality to Genesys Hospital. 

RETURN TO WORK

The hospital is guaranteeing a job for every nurse who wants to return to work. 

Many striking nurses are being given the opportunity to return to the same position they left six months ago, but due to operational changes during the strike, exact shifts and assignments may no longer exist.

When Henry Ford Health assumed operations of Genesys Hospital in October 2024, new leaders recognized the hospital was in steep financial decline, consistently posting annual losses of about $50 million. 

Since assuming control of the hospital, new leaders have made operational and clinical changes to help ensure the hospital can continue to provide high quality care, including streamlining services, closing some units, and revamping staffing models. 

Genesys Hospital is guaranteeing positions for every nurse that wants to return now or when the strike ends, without any loss of seniority. The hospital is committed to honoring seniority for nurses whose prior positions are not currently available and offering alternative options, such preferential treatment when jobs on their former unit become available. 

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