Teamsters union files unfair labor practice charges against Detroit Medical Center

The union that represents Detroit Medical Center lab assistants and customer service representatives has filed three unfair labor practice charges against the hospital alliance, Teamsters officials announced Tuesday.

Teamsters Local 283 filed the charges "amid contentious negotiations, as Teamsters demand a fair contract and DMC refuses to bargain in good faith," the union said in a news release. The union claims DMC prompted the charges "for failing to provide requested information, denying Local 283 representatives access to the core lab and other labs to meet with members, and bad faith bargaining/surface bargaining," the release said.

“Detroit Medical Center is not only failing to offer its 150 workers a fair contract, but they are breaking the law in numerous ways to avoid bargaining with the Teamsters Union,” said Steve Hicks, president of Local 283, in the release.

“We have been in negotiations for several months and Detroit Medical Center has refused to offer serious proposals. Management has disrespected workers, directly bargained with workers, told workers they’d be replaced if they went on strike, and engaged in several other tactics that violate labor law that are further outlined in our unfair labor practice charges against them.”

DMC officials did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday seeking comment.

On Wednesday, officials with the hospital issued a statement.

"The DMC values our employees represented by the Teamsters and has been negotiating in good faith with the Teamsters since December of 2022. Unfortunately, the Teamsters continue to play games rather than negotiate in good faith. On August 3rd, the Teamsters notified the DMC that the Union would be striking on August 16th but withdrew the strike notice on August 15th when the Union realized employees did not support the strike. The Teamsters now appear to be taking a different approach, falsely claiming that the DMC is “breaking the law” and only offering “pennies.” These claims are simply untrue, and the DMC vehemently denies that it has violated the law in any way," officials said.

"In fact, on August 22nd, the DMC made an offer to the Union which would result in the highest increases in well over a decade, an extra holiday, as well as increases to floater pay. Even though the DMC’s offer would result in one of the best contracts these employees have ever seen, the Union advised the DMC that it will not give employees the opportunity to vote on it. The DMC recommends the Teamsters prioritize negotiations rather than spreading false claims. The DMC has already reached out to a mediator to inquire about additional dates for negotiations and remains committed to reaching a fair agreement for our employees."

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