Should psychologists unionize? A colloquy with labor and management experts.

Abstract

In this article, experts in labor and management address the question of whether unionizing is an appropriate vehicle through which psychologists can protect professional autonomy, standards, and quality of care. One threshold issue is the degree to which health care professionals have control over their incomes and working conditions in the current marketplace and their willingness to perceive themselves as "workers." Examples of successful labor-management collaboration on behalf of patients and union representation on behalf of psychologists are provided. Some legal and strategic considerations about forming or joining unions are also discussed.As corporate downsizing has been eliminating job security for millions of American workers, the prevailing conditions in the health care marketplace have been threatening the economic security of thousands of health care professionals, including psychologists. Health care providers have begun to use the leverage of forming large group practices as a means of acquiring more bargaining power with large managed care organizations.However, only a minority of health care professionals have explored another possible alternative that could potentially benefit them: forming labor unions to deal with corporate management (Sullivan, LaOana, Wiggins, & DeLeon, 1997).

The experience of unionizing for circuit court psychologists in Chicago: Teamsters Local 743.

“…The first step was to seek advice from other unionized psychologists. Bargaining committee members contacted speakers from the panel on union representation presented at the 103rd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, held in 1995 (Dvoskin et al, 1997). One of the panelists put them in touch with the Labor Education Program of the University of Illinois.…”

Psychology and labor unions working together.

“…The main distinction has to do with whether or not we have a say in the terms or conditions of our employment—whether or not we have a say in terms of determining policy. If we are not policymakers, if we do not have a say in the terms or conditions of employment, we are on the labor side of the equation.” (Dvoskin et al, 1997, p. 427)…”

“…Psychologists, too, have a variety of ways in which they can use the influence of the labor movement more effectively. One way is for psychologists who are already card-carrying union members to become more active in the governance and leadership of their unions, as urged by Montenegro and Davidman (Dvoskin et al, 1997). Because this is not a role for which psychologists are trained, they need to better appreciate the basic tenets of unionism.…”

“…unionizing. Diverse views from experts in both labor and management are provided in the article by Dvoskin et al (1997).…”

“…This article examines the ways in which alliances between psychology and labor can be mutually helpful and discusses the merits of doctors unionizing. Diverse views from experts in both labor and management are provided in the article by Dvoskin et al (1997). Actual experiences of psychologists who have formed labor unions in different work settings, and the lessons they have learned, are described in the articles by Wilson (1997), Safarjan (1997), and Fitzgerald (1997).…”