Logan Health primary care providers approve unionization

A solid majority of Logan Health primary care providers voted Thursday to unionize.

Physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants participated in the election to unionize with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists. The vote was 49-28, out of 101 eligible voters, hospital officials said.

The outcome is now subject to the filing and resolution of any objections.

Vivi Le, communications manager for the union, anticipates the National Labor Relations Board will certify the election results within 10 business days. Negotiations for a first contract will proceed in the coming months.

Primary care providers outlined key priorities for their negotiations, including asking for adequate staffing levels, sustainable patient panel sizes (how many patients a provider can see during a specific period), conducting patient visits without time constraints and having a voice in decision making, according to a release from the union.  

“When health care providers come together with the support of their nursing colleagues and the community, they have the power to transform patient care,” Union President Dr. Stuart Bussey said in a release. “These providers showed tremendous courage in organizing for their patients and profession. Now the real work begins — negotiating a strong contract that addresses staffing ratios, time with their patients and the resources needed to care for Kalispell.”

Logan Health officials signaled that the company is ready to enter negotiations “in good faith, as required.”

“We respect the outcome of this election and the rights of our physicians and APPs to choose whether to be represented,” Logan Health Chief Medical Officer Cory Short said in a news release. “Our priority remains supporting our caregivers and staff and continuing to provide safe, high-quality care to the patients and communities we serve.”

Providers behind the unionization efforts listed understaffing as their biggest concern, which ties into appointment availability, patient wait times and the ability to provide comprehensive primary care services.

Officials said Logan Health clinics will operate as usual as the process moves forward.

“Our commitment to our mission, values and commitment to collaboration, respect and compassionate care remain unchanged,” the release stated.

Roughly 650 registered nurses at Logan Health unionized in July 2019 with Service Employees International Union Healthcare 1199NW. A contract wasn't ratified until September 2021 following two years of contentious negotiations that included a three-day strike.