The healthcare industry remains a prime target for union organizing, with union activity surging in recent years. In 2023, unions, especially the SEIU, filed an increasing number of representation petitions, achieving the highest win rate in a decade. This trend continues in 2024, with healthcare on track for record-high petition filings and elections, while unions maintain strong success rates. Key issues driving this momentum include worker concerns over compensation and understaffing. Notably, October saw the largest strike in U.S. history by Kaiser Permanente workers, citing patient safety risks due to inadequate staffing.
Beyond doctors and nurses, other healthcare roles like pharmacists are joining the push for better working conditions. In November, pharmacists at CVS and Walgreens staged nationwide protests, dubbed "Pharmageddon," to draw attention to understaffing, despite lacking union representation. Unionization rates among residents, interns, and fellows have also risen dramatically, with many joining CIR/SEIU in pursuit of better working conditions and increased autonomy. These factors reflect broader dissatisfaction across the sector, intensifying the push for union representation.
Recent National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decisions have further shifted the landscape. Changes include a new framework for union representation under Cemex, stricter standards for evaluating workplace rules as seen in Stericycle, and the reinstatement of expedited elections. These rulings favor unions, leaving employers with less time to respond and fewer options to educate employees. Given the current climate, healthcare organizations must proactively assess their labor readiness and implement strategies to prevent unionization, as unions gain unprecedented momentum.