Kalispell, Mont. – Following the filing of a petition to unionize in early December 2025, more than 90 primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants working at Logan Health clinics in Northwestern Montana have voted to form a union with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD).
“This victory is for our community,” said a physician who helped lead the organizing effort. “With a union, we now have the power to be equal partners with leadership and create lasting solutions that will improve care for the Flathead Valley. This is about protecting the patient-provider relationship that’s at the heart of primary care.”
It’s anticipated that the National Labor Relations Board will certify the election results within 10 business days, officially granting providers a formal voice in workplace decisions that directly impact patient care quality and provider well-being across Logan Health’s primary care clinic locations.
“As medicine has been reshaped by administrators that pull providers away from patients, we’re fighting back the only way we know works—with a union,” said an advanced practice provider. “This is about reclaiming our voice for our patients and bringing medicine back to its core roots of trust, compassion, and meaningful relationships.”
Negotiations for a first contract will proceed in the coming months following certification of the election results. The primary care providers remain committed to advocating for their patients and working collaboratively with Logan Health leadership to build a sustainable model of healthcare that serves both the workers and the community for years to come. Key priorities in negotiations will be:
- Adequate Staffing Levels: Ensuring sufficient provider and support staff to meet patient demand and reduce wait times
- Sustainable Patient Panel Sizes: Establishing caps on the number of patients assigned to each provider to prevent burnout and improve provider retention
- Protected Time for Patient Care: Guaranteeing providers can conduct thorough examinations, patient education, and compassionate care without restrictive time constraints
- Voice in Decision-Making: Securing provider input on policies affecting clinical practice and patient care delivery
“When healthcare providers come together with the support of their nursing colleagues and the community, they have the power to transform patient care,” said Dr. Stuart Bussey, UAPD President. “These providers showed tremendous courage in organizing for their patients and profession. Now the real work begins—negotiating a strong contract that addresses staffing ratios, time with their patients, and the resources needed to care for Kalispell.”
About the Union of American Physicians and Dentists
Established in 1972, the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD) is the largest bicoastal union for licensed doctors and advanced practice clinicians in the nation—representing more than 7,000 private and public-sector healthcare practitioners. Affiliated with AFSCME and the AFL-CIO, UAPD brings the strength of the labor movement to the aid of providers in the interest of better medicine for all. Learn more at www.uapd.com.
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