Henry Ford Genesys Hospital Prepares for Teamsters’ Strike

Grand Blanc, Mich. — Henry Ford Genesys Hospital will remain open— delivering the same exceptional care patients have come to expect— during an upcoming nurses’ strike staged by Teamsters Local 332.

The hospital will be fully and safely staffed by team members and contracted nurses, who will ensure seamless patient care while their nursing colleagues strike. All nurses will be given the opportunity to choose to work during the strike. This will be the first time nurses have gone on strike at Genesys Hospital since the facility became part of the Henry Ford Health family in October 2024 through a joint venture with Ascension Michigan. It will be just the second strike in Henry Ford Health’s 110-year history.

“It is unfortunate that Teamsters Local 332 have opted to take this extreme step,” said Gwen Sandefur, Interim President at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital. “Nevertheless, we can assure everyone that the hospital will continue to provide the same exceptional care our patients expect and deserve. We also want to thank the nurses who plan to continue providing patient care during the work stoppage despite their union’s call to strike, as well as our other team members who will undoubtedly rise to these challenging times.”

These negotiations come as Henry Ford Genesys Hospital leaders forge ahead with thoughtful and strategic steps to restore the hospital’s financial stability, which has been in steep decline for several years with average yearly losses of about $50 million. By addressing these issues head-on, Henry Ford Health affirms its deep commitment to its Genesee County team members and to advancing the health and wellbeing of everyone who calls the area home.

The health system has met with Teamsters Local 332 representatives dozens of times since the spring and has utilized the assistance of federal mediators to aid in negotiations. Henry Ford Health’s proposed contract includes a robust and competitive compensation package that includes overtime and benefits and is aligned with what’s offered across the health system. The previous contract expired August 20.

Teamsters have identified nurse-to-patient ratios as sticking point in negotiations. Henry Ford Health staffs hospitals across the health system based on patient volumes and other factors. Mandated staffing ratios affect hospitals’ ability to adapt to varying patient conditions.

Research indicates mandated ratios increase wait times and patient boarding in emergency departments, delay transfers of patients into ICUs, and require 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.

“Our nurses are integral in our ongoing success and ability to provide world-class patient care,” said Eric Wallis, Chief Nursing Executive at Henry Ford Health. “We value our nurses’ unique professional expertise; we include their leadership in staffing decisions and will continue to do so as we grow our relationships in Genesee County and beyond.”

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