(LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA) – Hundreds of Health Care Professionals who are employed at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California have overwhelmingly voted to join American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME)-affiliated United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP).

These 420 Health Educators, Dietitians, Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists approached UNAC/UHCP in March 2020 seeking a Union with a track record of Member involvement and winning strong contracts that set the standard for high-quality patient care.

They organized to gain a voice in the workplace in order to improve their professions and patient care and to address issues such as stagnant wages and improve their retirement security.

“Congrats to everybody on a hard-fought victory.  Over seven hundred days later, our perseverance paid off.  Now we get to work with the representation we deserve,” said Brian Davis, a Speech-Language Pathologist in Orange County.

“Our patients depend on the exceptional care we provide,” said Isis Hernandez, a Registered Dietitian in Downey. “We look forward to bargaining a contract that will respect our practice, protect our retirement, and give us a real voice to advocate for our patients.  When Health Care Professionals come together, patients win.”

The 32,000 UNAC/UHCP Members, working together for the past half-century, have improved patient care and elevated standards in the Health Care Profession throughout California and Hawaii.

To Directly Access This Organizing Labor News Story, Go To: www.afscme.org/blog/southern-california-health-care-workers-form-a-union-through-afscme