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Patient Care Associates (PCAs) and Psychiatric Care Technicians (PCTs) employed by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center voted overwhelmingly late last week to ratify their first union contract. The agreement, which took effect on Monday, April 7, ends a tense period of negotiations which saw hundreds of front-line health care workers and Columbus community members picket OSU executives.
Local leaders of IAM Healthcare said that the agreement averted a “vote of no confidence” in OSU executives, which the union had planned to hold this week. The parties bargained into the evening on March 27, ultimately coming to an agreement that includes staffing protections, as well as competitive pay raises and range adjustments to improve recruitment and retention of highly skilled staff.
“This is a tremendous victory, not only for the PCAs and PCTs who care for our community every day, but also for the patients who depend on the expert care we provide,” said Kelly Williams, a Senior PCA at Dodd Hall Rehabilitation Hospital and a member of the IAM Healthcare Bargaining Committee. “We put OSU executives on notice – it’s long past time to prioritize recruitment and retention at the medical center – and our new union contract does that.”
The victory is the latest in a growing wave of healthcare professionals who are organizing with IAM Healthcare.
“IAM Healthcare continues to grow in power and numbers as we win hard-fought victories for healthcare professionals from coast to coast,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “Our entire union congratulates our new members at OSU for standing strong to win the respect they’ve earned.”
The OSU agreement, which will remain in effect for three years, requires the Medical Center to maintain a staffing system based on patient needs and evidence-based staffing standards. It also includes new protections to ensure safer floating practices based on clinical competencies. The new union contract also includes backpay for merit increases that OSU executives had withheld from PCAs and PCTs since September 2024.
“This historic victory would not have been possible without the leadership of front-line patient care professionals, as well as the knowledge, skill, and steadfast commitment of IAM Healthcare Special Representative Rich Nadeau who supported them through each step of the process,” said Shane Brinton, IAM Healthcare Director and Chief Negotiator for the PCA/PCT contract. “I also greatly appreciate the support of IAM Union International President Bryant, Headquarters General Vice President Bennett, Chief of Staff to the International President Addeo, Eastern Territory General Vice President Sullivan, Eastern Territory Chief of Staff Wilson and her team, IAM Union Locals 1943 and 1363, Organizing Department Director Evans and his team, Communications Department Director Battaglia and his team, General Counsel Siegel and her team, Strategic Resources Director White and his team, the entire IAM Healthcare Department staff, and the many community members and organizations who showed their support.”
The workers’ next step is to elect union stewards and educate their coworkers about the beneficial provisions of their new union contract, including how to file grievances in cases of understaffing, inappropriate floating, and other safety issues.
“This is an industry-leading union contract for our patients and our profession,” said Williams. “Now we will hold the medical center accountable to make sure it is consistently implemented and enforced.”
