The Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD) is a labor union that represents more than 4,000 California doctors, including those employed by the State of California and the California State University student health and counseling system. UAPD celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.
In recent months, UAPD has been contacted by doctors who work at the University of California student health centers. Many UC doctors are dissatisfied by the fact that, as unrepresented workers, they cannot bargain over their wages and benefits like their colleagues do. Doctors also want to increase their voice in patient care issues and ensure that their professional judgment is respected in the workplace. This is especially important for doctors working for cash-strapped public employers like UC, where budget pressures can undercut the requirements of good medicine.
UAPD has begun distributing the union authorization cards required for UC doctors to join UAPD. More than half of the UC student health center doctors, statewide, must sign cards in order to create a union. Doctors are moving quickly to gather signatures — if the union is not recognized by July 1, 2013, UC doctors will be amongst the unorganized UC employees who have the next round of retirement benefit cuts simply imposed upon them. The time to organize is now.
Want to talk more? In Northern California contact Jeff Duritz at 510-717-1921 or jduritz@uapd.com. In Southern California contact Jake Baxter at 310-699-5031 or jbaxter@uapd.com.
Join the Union Now
Union Authorization Card (PDF). Completed card must be mailed to UAPD, 5777 West Century Blvd, Suite 1195, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
FAQ About Unions (PDF)
Flyers
Collective Bargaining (PDF)
Retirement Costs (PDF)
Working Conditions (PDF)