750+ Nurses Have Been on Strike for 8 Months—Now a Federal Ruling Just Made It Worse
- More than 750 nurses and case workers at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc, Michigan have been on strike since September 1, 2025, demanding better nurse-to-patient ratios, return-to-work guarantees, and higher wages.
- The National Labor Relations Board dismissed an unfair labor practice charge filed by Teamsters Local 332 on April 7, 2026, ruling that the hospital acted lawfully during negotiations. The union plans to appeal and has a dozen additional charges pending.
- With no resolution in sight after 80+ negotiation sessions, the strike has become one of the longest nurse walkouts in recent U.S. history, raising questions about the future of labor protections for healthcare workers under the current administration.
More than 750 nurses and case workers at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc, Michigan have now been on strike for over eight months, and a recent federal ruling just made their fight harder.
On April 7, 2026, the National Labor Relations Board dismissed an unfair labor practice charge filed by Teamsters Local 332, the union representing the striking nurses. The NLRB found "no violation of the National Labor Relations Act," concluding the hospital acted "lawfully and in good faith" during collective bargaining negotiations.
The ruling is a setback for the nurses who walked off the job on September 1, 2025, seeking better nurse-to-patient ratios, higher wages, and a guarantee that striking nurses would return to their previous positions. The strike has now surpassed 220 days with no resolution in sight.
How the Strike Started and Why It Has Lasted This Long
The contract between Henry Ford Health and Teamsters Local 332 expired in June 2025. After months of failed negotiations, more than 750 nurses and case workers walked out on September 1, 2025.
At the heart of the dispute are nurse-to-patient ratios. Striking nurse Kelly Rivera-Craine, a 23-year veteran and business agent for the union, has documented nurses receiving 10 to 11 patients when safe ratios should be closer to four or five.
Wages are also a sticking point. Henry Ford Health has offered wage increases of up to 13% for the average nurse, but the union rejected the proposal in March. A central concern: the hospital's offer does not guarantee that all striking nurses will return to the same positions they held before the walkout.
"They would rather hire new people with lower seniority and pay them less money," said striking nurse Angie Spohn, who has worked at the hospital since 1997.
The two sides have met more than 80 times since April 2025 without reaching agreement. In November 2025, the hospital declared an impasse and implemented its proposed contract terms unilaterally.
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The NLRB Ruling and What Comes Next
The dismissed charge centered on allegations that Henry Ford Genesys unreasonably delayed providing health insurance information during contract negotiations. The union had first requested health plan enrollment data in March 2025, but disagreements over data format and HIPAA concerns dragged out the exchange for months.
The NLRB's Region 07 office in Detroit found "no basis to find an unreasonable delay," ruling that the hospital made good-faith efforts to comply.
Henry Ford Health called the decision validation of its position. "The decision confirms what we have said all along: that the charges were nothing more than an attempt to gain leverage at the bargaining table," the hospital said in a statement.
But the union is far from finished. Teamsters Local 332 President Dan Glass told Spectrum News: "That's one singular charge. We have a dozen more out there from surface bargaining" and other alleged violations. The union has until April 21 to file an appeal.
The ruling also comes amid broader concerns about the NLRB's direction under the current administration. Trump appointed James R. Murphy as NLRB chairman in March 2026, raising questions among labor advocates about the board's willingness to hold employers accountable.
Meanwhile, the strike has drawn high-profile support. Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien visited the picket line on March 31. In March, striking nurses rallied on the Michigan state Capitol steps, where Democratic gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidates voiced their support.
What Nurses Need to Know
This strike is one of the longest nurse walkouts in recent U.S. history, and its outcome could set a precedent for how hospitals handle labor disputes going forward. The core issues at stake, including safe staffing ratios, fair wages, and return-to-work protections, affect nurses at every level and in every setting.
The NLRB ruling is particularly significant. If federal labor protections continue to tilt in favor of employers, nurses across the country could find it harder to challenge unsafe working conditions through traditional union channels. The dismissal of this charge, combined with leadership changes at the NLRB, signals a shifting landscape for healthcare labor rights.
For nurses watching from other states and health systHeems, this story is a reminder that workplace protections are never guaranteed. Whether you are union or non-union, understanding your rights under the National Labor Relations Act and staying informed about federal labor policy has never been more important.
🤔 If your hospital tried to replace you during a labor dispute, would you hold out for 8 months? What would it take to get you back to the bedside?
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