Peak Vista Medical Providers vote to unionize
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Peak Vista Community Health Centers medical providers have finalized their vote to unionize, according to a representative with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists.
The vote was finalized Thursday afternoon: 49 in favor, 15 opposed.
All medical providers are covered by the election, but not dental or behavior health providers; and those medical providers who wish to galvanize their decision would need to pay .9% of their gross income as dues. Doing so would allow union members to benefit from the union contract, once negotiated.
Separately, in August, a federal labor charge was filed against Peak Vista Community Health Centers for unfair labor practices. It was December 20 the National Labor Relations Board ruled Peak Vista violated the Labor Act in its firing of five medical providers. Peak Vista leaders vow to appeal that decision in front of the labor board -- which could take years to resolve.
Peak Vista serves 74,000 under and non-insured patients in Southern Colorado.
Dr. Emily Ptaszek, President & CEO of Peak Vista Community Health Centers, provided the following statement:
“Today, Peak Vista received tentative results of a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) union election that followed a petition filed by the Union of Physicians and Dentists (UAPD) to represent our medical providers. The official outcome of the election is not yet certified by the NLRB. This process usually takes about seven (7) business days. Based on the tentative results, it appears that the majority of providers who participated in the election voted in favor of unionization.
-Dr. Emily Ptaszek
While we respect the rights of our employees under the National Labor Relations Act, Peak Vista believes the NLRB Office in Denver made erroneous conclusions about who should be able to vote in this election. Our position remains that we believe all providers should have a say on the important question of whether to unionize as it impacts the entire environment of care. And as such, there is a process to appeal the decision, and Peak Vista intends to do so.
As we work through ongoing issues surrounding this election, our primary focus will continue to be strengthening the relationship with our providers. We are committed to ensuring we come out of this process stronger as an organization to best fulfill our mission and the needs of the patients we serve.”
