Utah Health Workers United. n.d. Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from https://www.facebook.com/CWA7765?_rdr
Georgia Romain | Local News Story | October 26, 2024
Abstract: This paper was written for an assignment in my COMM 1130 class at the University of Utah, where we were tasked with writing a news-style article similar to what you might find in local media. For my topic, I chose an issue that holds personal significance: the experiences of healthcare workers, specifically focusing on mental health professionals. My sister, a Psychiatric Technician at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and a member of Utah Healthcare Workers United, inspired my choice.
This connection gave me a unique perspective and a deeper understanding of the challenges and advocacy efforts within the mental health field. Writing this paper was an enjoyable and rewarding experience because it allowed me to explore an important topic while exercising creativity in crafting a compelling story. I approached it as if I were a journalist, conducting research, gathering information, and structuring the piece in a way that would engage readers and highlight the significance of mental health advocacy.
Through this assignment, I not only continued to develop my writing skills but also gained valuable insight into the complexities of local news reporting. It reinforced the importance of accurate, empathetic storytelling when addressing critical issues that affect our community.
Utah Healthcare Workers Unionization: Advocating for Staff Wellbeing and Patient Care
November 2023 – In a landmark move for Utah, healthcare workers at the University of Utah publicly announced the formation of a union, Utah Healthcare Workers United, (UHWU Local 7765). UHWU is affiliated solely with University of Utah Healthcare workers making it the first Union of its kind in Utah–by only representing one specific healthcare system. This union includes a diverse array of staff beyond nurses–extending to all types of persons employed in the University of Utah’s ever expanding healthcare system. From hospital technicians to administrative staff all employed under the umbrella of University of Utah Health within the University of Utah Hospital, the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, the Huntsman Cancer Research Center, and even healthcare academics.
Nearly a full year after going public the Union is still finding trouble communicating their wants and needs to the University Health representatives. The main objectives of UHWU are advocating for higher wages, and more staffing, in addition to more resources and benefits for employees, all critical to ensuring quality of care. Supporters of the Union have noted the type of care patients receive directly affects them whether they can see it or not. By taking better care of the staff the care of the patients will immensely benefit allowing the University to ensure not only the best patient care but also ensure a top of the line staff. If these concerns are met, UHWU believes patient care will excel, staff burnout will decrease, and increased staff ratios will lessen the expected load on current workers. Union organizers urge the university to address the widespread burnout and turnover seen in these public health institutions. After feeling like University Healthcare administration was not listening to or prioritizing their concerns, many began to believe a union is the only way for real and lasting change to happen.
Unionization Trends in Healthcare
Utah Healthcare Workers United has been a project years in the making, catalyzed by the intensity of the COVID-19 pandemic. There has certainly been an uptick in unionization among healthcare workers nationally, with many professionals turning to “collective bargaining” to offer a proper solution to increasing problems. In the aftermath of the pandemic, healthcare workers have continued to face an intensifying workload, highlighting the need for comprehensive support and fair compensation for those in extremely demanding care roles.
After almost a full public year, UHWU concerns have not been fully assessed by the university, there’s still significant work to do. Historically, Utah has not maintained very present union involvement, especially in healthcare, which is what makes UHWU’s formation such a pioneering move. The success or continued challenges in negotiating working conditions with the university has potential to set a precedent for future unions across Utah. However, public organizations like University of Utah Health are not required to acknowledge a union or even work to recognize or negotiate terms of change based on union affiliation which has fostered many barriers to UHWU’s work. Though formal recognition would tremendously aid in the union’s efforts it is not necessarily needed to begin negotiations–most of which will not be known to public ears until a decision–if any–has been reached.
UHWU’s Primary Goals and Challenges
UHWU’S advocacy centers around three core goals: improved wages, safer staffing ratios, and adequate resources and benefits for all employees. It has been pointed out by union leaders that hospital staff in Utah often receive lower wages than people in other states who maintain similar workloads and responsibilities, though University of Utah Health leaders and representatives are making outrageous amounts of money in comparison to their employees. This fact has not only led to higher turnover rates in Utah’s healthcare system but it also creates an intense strain on current employees.
Staffing levels have been noted as a critical area of concern. UHWU argues that understaffing puts both patients and staff at work as the staff to patient ratio continues to increase, there is a diminished quality of care evident. Supporters of UHWU note that sufficient staffing ratios are absolutely essential for safe, attentive care, in the higher stress environments such as the mental health facilities. If there is not enough staff to handle the workload, healthcare workers can experience chronic burnout leading to mental health issues and exhaustion that inevitably impacts patient care.
Union representatives stress the well-being of healthcare workers will directly affect patient outcomes. In advocating for more resources and benefits, UHWU highlights that taking better care of staff through paid time off, mental health support, and attainable work hours, allows employees to ensure the highest level of care to their patients. Advocating for healthcare workers is advocating for patients.
A Voice From the Union
I interviewed one Salt Lake City resident, Sydney Romain, a Psychiatric Technician at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI), and a member of the Utah Healthcare Workers United Union who shared her insights on working conditions, her reasons for joining UHWU, and her opinion regarding the University and their approach to dealing with healthcare workers concerns. Romain, who has worked at Huntsman for almost three years and counting, initially learned about the union through a nurse colleague. She quickly began to recognize shared concerns.
“I agree with the union’s demands because, in a psychiatric hospital, the techs and nurses bear significant responsibilities,” Romain explained. “We all deserve fair pay, better staffing ratios, and sufficient sick time. Without us, the hospital couldn’t function, yet University Health executives profit from our labor.”
Romain’s work involves monitoring patient safety, leading group activities, and assisting with daily routines, often with patients in crisis. She mentioned feeling that her role as a psych tech–and those of her colleagues–is often underappreciated by management. “We’re here to support patients during some of the worst times of their lives, and our work is critical,” she said.
Romain stated, “I wish the university acknowledged our daily challenges and took better care of us.” Expanding on this answer I asked,
“Would you say, based on your workload and position specifically, is there a clear lack of understanding and consideration by the University in terms of what their staff struggles with on a daily basis?”
Romain replied, “Maybe rather than a lack of insight I’d say rather a lack of empathy and a clear willingness or effort to take better care of the staff.”
I left Sydney with one final question; “Have you personally seen any changes since the formation of, and or since your being part of the union, if so, what are they?”
“I wouldn’t say I’ve seen any real changes, though I think it has given everyone a sense of togetherness or a willingness to fight for a common goal. We were recently given more sick occurrences, but at the end of the day it’s just how they code the pay. These sick occurrences take from your paid-time off either way.”
University of Utah Health’s Stance
University of Utah Health has not publicly commented extensively on UHWU’s demands, though representatives have acknowledged an awareness of union efforts. Legally, they are not under any obligation to recognize UHWU formally, or even enter negotiation efforts. While a willingness to discuss general working conditions was indicated not many efforts have been seen.
UHWU will continue to push those with the power to enact change and fight for direct negotiations in order to foster a more transparent approach to employee welfare by the University Health administrators. Even with the growing frustration by some union members perceiving a lack of action from University Health, it is unclear if they are willing to make concrete changes, if any.
Impact of Patient Care on the Community
It is the core belief of UHWU members that improving healthcare workers’ conditions will contribute to a trickle-down effect, benefiting the greater Salt Lake community immensely. In addressing the burnout and mental health struggles faced by the staff, the university would contribute to a more stable, supportive healthcare environment. A well-supported staff can contribute to better patient interactions and experiences especially in areas like trauma, oncology, and mental health where patients often need more consistent and compassionate care.
Multiple studies have shown that hospitals with higher staffing ratios tend to have better patient outcomes, as staff are able to spend more time with each patient, providing more individualized attention and reducing the risk of potential errors. UHWU representatives look to these studies to argue for why increased staffing ratios would improve patient care at the University of Utah Health system. It is important to note that unionized hospitals tend to have higher healthcare costs for their patients and with the already expensive healthcare costs across the nation, this is something to think about. But UHWU believes better patient care and wellbeing of healthcare workers will uplift the community dramatically.
One Year In
As UHWU approaches its one-year anniversary there is still a dramatic push by members for meaningful engagement from the university though the union remains committed to advocating for staff needs, emphasizing that notion that supporting healthcare workers is essential for the sustainability of quality patient care in not just the Salt Lake City area–but extending to the greater state of Utah as well.
If UHWU’s efforts are successful we could see a total shift in the way healthcare workers are treated–which may inspire similar actions in other healthcare systems. UHWU is working to gradually reshape Utah’s healthcare landscape to not only improve patient care, quality of life, and wellbeing of the staff but to uplift and support the community in a more dynamic and tangible way.
*This is a mock writing sample intended for educational purposes in my COMM 1130 class at the University of Utah. All views, opinions, and thoughts are my own.
