All Doctors Need A Union — A Union Like UAPD
Physicians have had it with the way that they and their patients have been treated by the health care industry. The Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD) is committed to putting physicians back where they belong—in control of their practice and with a leading role in American health care.
UAPD is a tough and effective labor organization which has successfully represented doctors for more than 30 years. Affiliated with the 1.3 million member American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), UAPD can draw on additional lobbying, research, and organizing resources to support its efforts on behalf of doctors.
Who Can Join UAPD?
Employed Doctors
Salaried doctors have the right to join a labor union and bargain collectively over their salary, benefits, and working conditions. This includes doctors directly employed by the State of California or by any county agency.
The Union of American Physicians and Dentists can negotiate improvements in doctors’ salaries, fringe benefits, job security, and working conditions, and it can help doctors regain control over the quality of the medical care that they deliver.
A PROFESSIONAL UNION
UAPD has professional labor negotiators on its staff who know the issues of salaried doctors inside and out and have the expertise to get the job done.
A DOCTOR-RUN UNION
The UAPD is a democratically-run union governed by an elected executive board composed entirely of physicians. All contracts must be ratified by the members working for that employer.
WHAT UNIONIZED DOCTORS HAVE GAINED
Higher Wages — UAPD has negotiated major salary increases for its members in every bargaining unit that it represents.
MORE JOB SECURITY – The contracts that UAPD negotiates with employers give added security to represented physicians. Doctors have a right to bring unresolved grievances before a neutral third-party arbitrator.
SHORTER WORK WEEKS – UAPD has negotiated an average workweek of 40 hours for the physicians it represents. Physicians under these contracts can work more than 40 hours, but they receive extra pay or hour-for-hour time off.
EXCELLENT BENEFIT PACKAGES — UAPD has negotiated improvements on pension plans, health and dental insurance, educational leave, malpractice coverage, and other benefits for thousands of physicians.
MORE CONTROL – Because regaining control over the quality of care is a top priority for doctors, UAPD has negotiated contracts that give ultimate authority to medical staff.
Private Practice Doctors
Private Practice Doctors can join a labor union as individuals, but they are prohibited by law from bargaining collectively over their salary, benefits, or working conditions.
Changing the law so that doctors may work together to win improvements for themselves and their patients is one of the UAPD’s principle legislative goals. UAPD encourages private practice physicians to join the union today, because union membership offers them a number of immediate benefits, such as:
UNION POWER
UAPD is a labor union, the largest union for doctors in the US. We are proudly affiliated with AFSCME and the AFL-CIO. All physicians, dentists and podiatrists are welcome to join UAPD.
FREE CME CREDIT
UAPD sponsors a continuing education program, and offers complementary CME classes for its members.
CONTRACT REVIEW SERVICE
UAPD offers careful review of your contracts with hospitals, PPOs and insurance companies.
CLAIMS AND
FEE RECOVERY ASSISTANCE
UAPD can help collect money owed to you by private insurance companies, PPOs, Medi-Cal and Medicare.
INDEPENDENT PHYSICIANS
ASSOCIATION (UAPD-IPA)
Through UAPD’s non-profit, doctor-run IPA, you can gain access to eleven PPO contracts and millions of patients for only $160 per year.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
UAPD’S full-time lobbying efforts in Sacramento and Washington D.C. have resulted in legislation that protects the interests of doctors and patients.
LITIGATION PROGRAM
UAPD files lawsuits and amicus briefs to support important medical causes.
DUE PROCESS PROGRAM
UAPD can provide expert advice and referrals for doctors with licenses at risk. Union members can apply for money from the UAPD legal fund to defray legal expenses.