On Thursday, June 13, more than 500 health care professionals at the University of Michigan officially certified the United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals (UMMAP), American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 6739, as their union.
The workforce consists of pharmacy techs, licensed practical nurses, interpreters, transplant coordinators, and dietetic assistants and technicians. UMMAP, a multi-bargaining unit union of health care workers spanning across Michigan Medicine, now represents 4,600 employees across the University of Michigan Health System. With a commitment to an open, transparent, and cooperative process, UMMAP is fostering an equitable workplace culture at Michigan Medicine, ensuring that health care professionals are given the respect and support they deserve.
“We’re excited to officially join UMMAP and have the power of a union at our backs,” said Sarah Wilkin, CPhT, UMMAP chair for non-bargained employees. “We look forward to joining our colleagues in negotiating a first contract that will deliver real gains we desperately need, including more equitable pay, a balanced workload, and a voice at work.”
“We began organizing this union two years ago to achieve real power and voice for allied health professionals at Michigan Medicine,” said Penni Toney, CT, president of UMMAP. “Today marked the sixth and final bargaining unit being housed under UMMAP, and now we’re all under the same roof as we negotiate our first contract. Our members work in every corner of this hospital system, and by joining together for better conditions, we can improve the quality of care we provide to our patients.”
United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals encourages health care workers from across Michigan Medicine to strive for respect, fairness, equity and transparency through democratic organizing and collective bargaining. UMMAP looks forward to providing collective advocacy for Michigan Medicine health care workers from the three main hospitals in Ann Arbor to the 125 external clinics across the state.
