As individuals who have always been committed to progressive values and access to quality healthcare, working in the clinic for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (PPRM) seemed like an ideal fit. As clinic workers we are the first line of patient care. We often see dozens of patients each day and deal with issues from reproductive healthcare, to cancer screenings, to referrals for psychiatric care.
We have now worked with PPRM for more than 8 years collectively and helped thousands of patients and their families. Over the course of our time at PPRM, however, we have noticed a pattern. Clinic workers are continuously pushed to increase the quantity of patients we see, while decreasing the quality of care. We are being asked to work more while wages remain stagnant and opportunities for growth are nonexistent.
No one feels the staff shortages and retention problems more regularly than patients and clinic staff. Although we can see daily how these cutbacks and quotas are preventing us from providing the quality services we would like, we have no input in any of the decisions made in the clinic. We are asked to do more with less and have seen talented and dedicated staff leave at an alarming rate. And unfortunately, patients are paying the price.
Thatap why in 2016, PPRM health center workers came together to discuss ways we could improve the level of care while also making our voices heard. We were denied a request to meet with the CEO of PPRM and were subjected to captive audience meetings and antiunion fliers.
After many meetings and thorough debate, we won the right to organize with the help of SEIU Local 105 at the end of last year. We wanted the ability to negotiate for basic proposals like competitive wages, health insurance for our families, and the opportunity to receive additional training to better serve patients.
Unfortunately, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains decided to reject our choice to organize. PPRM hired attorneys to appeal our right to organize to a Republican controlled NLRB committee. Using legal union busting tactics is still union busting.
This time they were able to block the efforts of the clinic workers based on which clinics were organized. The next appeal will go to the entire board. However, we and our fellow workers are hopeful that PPRM will drop their appeal before then. We would love for them to join us at the bargaining table.
When we started working at PPRM it was because of our commitment to patient care and the values this organization stands for. We and our colleagues support the right of all workers to better their workplaces through democratic processes, and itap disappointing to see that leadership at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains – workers’ longtime allies — does not.
As a result, patient care is suffering and workers are struggling, so itap difficult to watch PPRM direct so many financial resources to fighting their own staff. These resources could be used to better compensate health center staff like ourselves that sit at the bottom of the organization’s pay scale and live paycheck to paycheck.
Nationally, Planned Parenthood has remained neutral regarding workers’ rights to organize. We hope that our affiliate follows their lead and drops this appeal. We ask them to show support for their workers and the values they claim to embody. After all, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards herself is a former labor advocate.
For workers this isn’t about political games and maneuvering, itap about our lives. We are only asking for the right to represent ourselves so that we can negotiate for the resources we need to provide the exceptional care our patients deserve. We are only asking for a voice, because we know we are stronger together.
Amanda Martin and Ashley Brink are health care workers at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
