Nurses at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City have ratified a new three-year contract.
The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of the deal, which came after months of talks. The nurses had been without a contract since March 10.
Their union, the Michigan Nurses Association, said in a statement that the contract includes raises of 5 percent per year for each of the contract’s three years.
What about AI?
The potential use of artificial intelligence was on the table during bargaining for the nurses' union. Find out why.
The statement also says the contract has, quote, “guardrails on AI and technology.”
AI had been an issue in talks, with the local union, the Traverse City Munson Nurses Association, concerned about it superseding human judgment or taking jobs.
According to the union, the contract includes language about defining artificial intelligence, protecting nurses' voices when it comes to patient care, and ensuring that Munson must notify the union if there’s new AI technology being used and provide an opportunity to meet with nurses and discuss it.
"We didn't lock down language that says that we can absolutely flat out deny any AI being used or being implemented," said Megan Slater, a nurse at Munson and bargaining team member, "but... we can make sure that there's proper education around it, maybe question the appropriateness of it, and hopefully get common ground there."
Megan Brown, chief communications officer at Munson, said the goal of the agreement is to make sure is that the nursing team has a "seat at the table" and a "forum to escalate any concerns as it relates to artificial intelligence in healthcare."
"AI is meant to complement our team's work and to help reduce some of the burdensome clerical administrative tasks," she said. "But it is not meant to fully replace clinical judgment."
The new contract also includes a 5% wage increase each year of the 3-year deal, amounting to a 15% wage increase for nurses.
TCMNA held a town hall earlier this spring to discuss the state of their talks, and support could be seen in Traverse City, where some residents had signs of support for the nurses on their front lawns in the city's Central Neighborhood, not far from the hospital.
“We could not have gotten to this point without our community supporting us and lifting us up,” said a statement from Laura Nilsson, president of the local and co-chair of the bargaining committee. “We want to thank everyone for all the support. Please know that it has meant the world to us.”
Munson Healthcare also applauded the deal, saying it represents a dedication to regional communities shared by both the hospital and the nurses.
Chief Nursing Officer Jenn Standfest called it a significant investment in the workforce.
"By offering increased wages; competitive benefits; guardrails and education for new technology; and a safe workplace for our employees we can continue to provide the highest quality care our patients expect and deserve," Standfest said in a statement. "We appreciate the constructive engagement, commitment to listening and mutual respect shown toward one another throughout the bargaining process."
This story was updated on 6/12/26 to include comments from Megan Slater and Megan Brown.
