Patient Care Associates for Change
Patient Care Associates are joining together to demand better at Wexner Hospital.
Campaign Update – 9/7/2023
SUPPORT FOR A PCA UNION CONTINUES TO GROW!
Even AFTER filing your petition for a Union election, many PCAs continue to submit online electronic cards voicing their support for a Union. The process of working out the election details between the parties can be frustratingly slow. Most of the time this is because the employer wants to delay the process as long as possible to dilute support. Take comfort in the fact that, at OSU, PCA support for a Union is only growing!
Where We Are in the Election Process: We are currently waiting for the employers’ objections, which we believe will include something to delay an already drawn-out process. We believe their goal is to force a hearing that could take weeks, or even months, because a delay will provide them with more time to try and change minds and overcome the current support. The deadline for objections from OSU is September 23. After that, the union must evaluate the objections and file our statement in response within three weeks. However, we are sensitive to the delayed time frame and plan to respond immediately in order to expedite the process. If the employer and their attorneys successfully force a hearing, we must consider even more delay. If we do not have to entertain a hearing, the Ohio Board will set an election date.
What We Can Do in the Meantime: It’s extremely important we continue to voice our support for union representation by signing up above. There’s strength in numbers. The more of us who sign up and the more of us who vote Yes for Union representation, the more powerful we will be when we win our election and head to the bargaining table. Let’s continue to send a strong message that a delay will not deter us. Keep talking to your co-workers and asking for their support.
You and your co-workers are one giant step closer to forming your union. This will provide you the legally protected right to negotiate with management over the issues that matter most to you. Many are asking, when will we vote? The short answer is, we don’t have an exact date yet. The Ohio State Employment Relations Board (SERB) is the state authority that controls the process. The lead time to an election under SERB averages about four months from filing. Within the next few weeks, we should have an election date, which we will forward as soon as possible.
You can read the SERB notice to employees here.
Why a Union
We’ve gone without a voice on the job for too long. Our colleagues at Wexner who belong to the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) have a written contract in place that ensures they are treated fairly. The IAM Union is teaming up with the ONA to give us the same opportunity. This will give us the ability to negotiate with management over the issues that matter most to us!
Better Wages & Benefits
Union members earn roughly $200 more every week than non-members. They are also have better health and retirement benefits. But it’s more than that. It’s about negotiating with your bosses over those benefits, as well as set wage increases that can’t change at management’s whim.
Respect on the Job
A union contract puts rules in place that allow you to do your job without fear of unjust treatment. If you feel those rules are broken, you have the legal right to appeal through a grievance procedure. Everyone is treated with respect.
Consistent Workplace Policies
IAM Healthcare
IAM Healthcare consists of healthcare professionals and caregivers standing together for quality patient care, increased staffing levels, and safe working conditions. We are nurses, doctors, veterinary technicians and more.
IAM UNION
Latest Updates
ONA Pledges Support for PCA Organizing Drive
The Ohio Nurses Association has pledged their support for our efforts to form a union for PCAs at Wexner. Says ONA President Rick Lucas, “We must recognize and embrace the power of union density, not only in nursing, but in the entire healthcare workforce. This power enables healthcare workers to reallocate money from executive pockets to instead invest in safe and healthy work environments, safe staffing, and competitive wages for those who are performing the essential daily work necessary to safely care for our patients.”
Upcoming Zoom Meetings
Join us for any of the following zoom meetings to ask questions and learn more about efforts to form a Union for PCAs at Wexner Hospital.
