Across the Valley, Banner Health physicians are circling either “yes” or “no” on the mail ballots they received from the National Labor Relations Board. If a majority votes in favor of unionization, those workers will be able to collectively bargain for a company contract that meets their demands.
Last week Phoenix New Times reported on Dr. Syerra Lea and Banner physicians’ efforts to unionize in the Valley. Banner management walked Dr. Lea out of Gilbert Health Clinic, where she’d worked for 12 years, after giving her 90-day notice and filing a labor complaint. Months earlier, Banner management gave Dr. Lea a stern warning for pointing out a scheduling error.
The doctors say they’re organizing to secure better pay and to remedy a host of issues with their hospitals. They say administrators have placed profit above patient care and inundated doctors with administrative duties that force them to work long hours away from their patients…