Physicians and advanced practice providers employed at Unity Health Care (UHC) who are represented by the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD) will begin collective bargaining for their first union contract with UHC management on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
Unity providers are focused on improving critical workplace issues to guarantee a healthy, safe, and dignified work environment for all 170 providers working across 21 clinics and the jail in Washington, D.C. The issues include:
- Staffing shortages and overwork
- A culture of bullying and intimidation
- Lack of workplace protections and administrative support
- Poor scheduling and lack of admin time
- Lack of transparency and communication from management
“Over the past several years, organizational mismanagement has resulted in an unhealthy workplace where providers feel unable to do their jobs effectively,” a Unity Health Care provider stated. “This contract negotiation is an opportunity to bring back dignity and safety to the organization that we love so that we may better provide care for the patients that we love.”
The providers won their union election by a 90 percent margin and received their union certification on December 5, 2023.
“We are committed to bargaining a fair contract that recognizes the essential care that Unity Health Care’s providers provide for more than 80,000 underserved community members,” Stuart Bussey, MD, JD, and UAPD president said. “We hope the negotiation process will go quickly and that Unity does their part to bargain in good faith. However, we are prepared to take the necessary steps to ensure our providers’ voices are heard and our demands are met.”