The Healthcare Professionals Alliance is a partnership
between two of the nation’s leading unions.

 

The National Union of Healthcare Workers and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have joined forces to empower healthcare workers to improve their wages, benefits, staffing, and working conditions — and to improve care for the patients they serve.

By combining NUHW’s expertise in organizing healthcare workers with IAM’s resources and expertise in unionizing entire industries, Healthcare Professionals Alliance will empower workers to deliver positive change for their patients and themselves.

 

NATIONAL UNION OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS (NUHW)

The National Union of Healthcare Workers, representing more than 14,000 members, is a worker-led movement dedicated to improving the lives of caregivers and patients

Since its founding in 2009, NUHW has grown to more than 14,000 members, making it the nation’s fastest growing health care union. NUHW sets itself apart from other healthcare unions by having its members set the agenda, lead bargaining talks, and elect their own leaders. By empowering our members, we have fended off takeaways accepted by other healthcare unions, won industry-leading raises, and forced Kaiser Permanente, the nation’s largest HMO, to start improving the mental health services it provides to hundreds of thousands of patients.

NUHW is guided by these core beliefs:

  • A strong union is led by its members.
  • Worker power is the foundation of a just society.
  • Quality patient care requires that caregivers have a voice in their workplaces and are protected from retaliation.
  • Healthcare is a human right.

Our members include mental health clinicians, psychologists, pharmacists, nursing assistants, medical social workers, nurses, nursing assistants, food service workers, environmental services workers, clerical workers, radiology technologists, sonographers, respiratory care practitioners, registered dietitians, and many others whose hospitals and clinics rely on them to provide top quality care and service.

 

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINIST AND AEROSPACE WORKERS (IAMAW)

The International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers is one of the largest and most diverse labor organizations in North America, representing more than 700,000 active and retired members in the United States and Canada. 

Formed in 1888, the IAMAW has been improving the livelihoods of workers and continues to be a progressive and democratic union. We are leading our members into the 21st century using innovative and forward thinking methods.  One example of this is our collaboration with Eastern Gateway College offering “a free online college education” to our members and their families.

Negotiating collective bargaining agreements that better the lives of our members is the cornerstone of our union. We have consistently negotiated contracts that achieve high standards which help produce better and safer workplaces.  We believe the benefits of a collective bargaining agreement can improve the standard of living all workers in every industry. Our diverse demographic aids to improve our products and services while maintaining high standards in contract negotiations — standards that each and every one of our members deserve.

The IAMAW is actively involved in the politics of the healthcare industry. Our lobbying and legislative efforts on Capitol Hill are second to none. We monitor and support legislation that help our members make a good living and have a good life. Our members include mental health professionals, aerospace technicians, transportation professionals including flight attendants and mechanics. We represent federal workers across the United States and public sector workers in the cities of San Francisco and Long Beach, Calif., to name a few. As the diversity of the American workforce has changed, so has the diversity of our membership. Our diverse representation is an asset that gives us insight into trends that may have a negative or positive impact on all our members.

We believe there is strength in unity; and our partnership with NUHW not only makes us stronger and gives us additional resources, it provides us the expertise in the healthcare industry that will create a powerful, united front to combat the deep pockets and broad influence of Healthcare Corporations.

The IAMAW is a full-service union that provides an array of services and support staff including:

  • Legal Department (attorneys)
  • Strategic Resources Department (economist and researchers)
  • Legislative and Political Department (lobbyist)
  • Communications Department (website development, video, and print materials)  

The unity between the IAMAW and NUHW exhibits the power of collective strength. Healthcare with dignity is not just a term of endearment, it is a human right.