Hundreds of employees at Banner Health are currently casting ballots in a vote that could alter labor relations at one of the region's largest health care providers. The push for union representation is connected to an unfair labor lawsuit filed against the company in May. Following that filing, a petition was submitted in June seeking representation for more than 200 staff members.
Candace Napier, a nurse practitioner with nearly 30 years of experience at the provider, stated that the effort stems from workplace and patient care concerns. She alleged that operational staff, rather than clinicians, are making decisions that limit the time providers spend with patients. Napier noted that some visits are scheduled for only 15 minutes, which she described as difficult for completing care effectively.
She also said that practitioners often take unpaid work home to manage their caseloads, a practice she referred to as "pajama time."
"It’s burnout. You just work so hard because ultimately, it’s the patient that we care about," Napier said.
Sebastian Gomez of the Union of American Physicians and Dentists explained that a successful vote would allow employees to negotiate terms of their employment, including compensation and health care benefits. He stated that the entire employment agreement would be open for discussion if the union effort passes.
Banner Health responded to the organizing campaign in a statement, asserting that its culture is a major strength and that the claims being circulated do not reflect the experience of its workforce.
