Hospital Worker Issues

Staffing and Workloads
Understaffing is a difficult and complex problem that directly affects the delivery of quality patient care in our nation’s hospitals. This is especially true today, where hospitals are increasingly concerned with profits and financial considerations, which leads to short staffing and workload problems that are driving dedicated and passionate healthcare workers out of the industry. » Read More


Better Pay
At a time when nurses and other health care staff are leaving their professions in droves because of abysmal working conditions, we’re bargaining for improvements in pay, benefits, working conditions, and patient care decisions. We want to keep passionate and skilled caregivers in our hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care institutions in order to provide the level of care Americans expect and deserve. » Read More


Better Benefits
When hospital employees form unions, they have a say in the kind of benefits they receive on the job. Union-negotiated benefits are generally better—and they’re guaranteed in writing. They can’t be cut or changed without the approval of union members. And that’s never been more important than now, at a time when many hospitals are trying to cut costs by reducing health insurance, retirement, and paid leave benefits. » Read More


Safer Needles
Many health care workers put their lives on the line every time they use a needle. Each year, 600,000 to 1 million workers are accidentally stuck by needles--nearly three thousand daily. More than 1,000 contract serious bloodborne diseases, such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. If stuck by a contaminated needle, workers must live through a terrifying six months or longer to find out they're infected. » Read More


A Voice On the Job
Rather than leaving all the decisions about staffing and patient care standards to hospital and nursing home administrators, we’re coming together to address key issues and concerns through negotiated contracts, legislative and regulatory solutions, and community outreach. » Read More


Job Security
Because the hospital industry is increasingly being driven by corporate profit and financial concerns, health care employees and nurses face a degree of uncertainty when it comes to their jobs and their future. Without a union contract, anyone can lose their job at any time and for any reason. » Read More


Safety on the Job
Every day, we're asked to ensure the safety and quick recovery of our patients to full health. That is the essence of quality patient care. Naturally, we're also concerned about working in an environment that looks after our own safety and health on the job. » Read More