Planned Parenthood of Michigan Workers in Kalamazoo Ratify First Contract with UFCW 951
January 24, 2025
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Workers at Planned Parenthood of Michigan in Kalamazoo voted on Wednesday, January 22 to overwhelmingly ratify their first contract with UFCW 951.
“The workers at Planned Parenthood – Kalamazoo Health Center wanted union representation to give them the guarantees and protections in the workplace they deserve,” John Cakmakci, UFCW 951 president, said. “We are excited to represent the employees at Planned Parenthood of Michigan in Kalamazoo.”
This contract features guaranteed wage increases, two additional paid days off, increases in bereavement leave, enhancements to daily overtime, and creation of a safety committee.
Workers at the clinic see UFCW 951 union representation as a step in the right direction when it comes to a lasting career in the industry.
“The work we do is very emotionally taxing with long and difficult days regularly,” Déirdre Rounds, medical assistant at Kalamazoo Planned Parenthood, said. “One of the things I like best about the contract is that the stewards are given the right to form a safety committee to meet, discuss, and officially speak on patient and worker safety. We are the ones doing the work – we deserve better!”
Planned Parenthood – Kalamazoo Health Center is the first Planned Parenthood site in West Michigan to authorize union representation.
UFCW 951 is a progressive labor union representing over 30,000 workers across Michigan in a variety of industries including grocery, retail, food processing, pharmacy, and cannabis, who are employed at a variety of companies including Meijer, Kroger, JBS, JLL, Sunberry Beverages, Polly’s, Harding’s, Grandville Nut Roasting & Packaging Plant, and Zen Leaf. The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States representing over 1.3 million UFCW members nationwide and UFCW 951 is the largest private sector union in Michigan.
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