IRON RIVER, Mich. (WZMQ) – Nurses at Aspirus Iron River hospital will hold a rally this Friday, Oct. 17, to advocate for a fair contract and protest Aspirus’s continued cuts at U.P. hospitals.
In the latest cuts, the hospital will end coverage for emergency surgeries overnight beginning Oct. 26. This comes on top of Aspirus eliminating almost all certified nurse aide (CNA) positions at the Iron River hospital and adding responsibilities to the charge nurse helping on the emergency and medical-surgical units, as well as cuts at other U.P. Aspirus hospitals.
In protest, Iron River nurses demand a fair contract that recruits and retains nurses to work at the hospital and requires Aspirus to continue current service levels at the hospital. Bargaining is set to start soon, as Iron River nurses’ contract expires Dec. 31.
Iron River nurses will wear red and rally from 4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., at 32 Adams Street.