Cleveland MetroHealth Primary Care Providers Form Union with AFSCME

MetroHealth Primary Care Providers Seek Unionization with AFSCME

In a significant move toward advocating for better working conditions and patient care, primary care providers at Cleveland's MetroHealth network are uniting under the AFSCME banner. This initiative marks a crucial step for the healthcare professionals aiming to gain a stronger voice in their workplace.

Recently, an assembly of primary care physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners gathered outside MetroHealth's Glick Center. They had earlier submitted a formal letter to management, requesting official acknowledgment of their union.

These healthcare providers assert that a substantial majority support the establishment of their union through AFSCME Ohio Council 8. Following this, they have formally applied for the recognition of their Primary Care Providers Union (PCPU) with Council 8.

"We are here because primary care works best when it is built on trust," stated Dr. David Ritzenthaler, a primary care physician involved in the rally. "But too often, decisions about scheduling, staffing, workloads, and patient care are being made without enough input from the people that actually provide the care."

Dr. Vikas Gampa, specializing in internal medicine, highlighted the drive to unionize as a means to enhance patient care. “We’re working to build a system where patients get timely care, providers have the time to do their jobs safely and well, and our community can rely on MetroHealth,” he explained. He pointed to the issue of patients, particularly those with chronic conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, experiencing delays in care that could lead to significant health risks.

The PCPU emphasized how patient care suffers when primary care providers are overextended, leading to burnout even among seasoned professionals. They urge MetroHealth management to heed the insights of those directly delivering patient care.

Heather de la Pena, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner in family medicine, emphasized, “When primary care providers have more time with patients, outcomes improve. Satisfaction increases. Patients feel heard. Families feel supported. And our whole community is healthier.”