Our members are connected
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How UNAC/UHCP Works
We are stronger together
Our union is built on this simple but powerful idea. Like other unions, we fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect on the job.
Together we rise
We are a uniquely member-led, activist-powered union made up of local affiliates and chapters, with member leaders and engaged volunteers, and an executive team and dedicated professional staff. Together, we advocate for the health and safety of our colleagues, patients, and communities.
Activists at Every Level
Our union is built to ensure every member has strong representation and easy access to support.
At the core of our union are our Locals—affiliates and chapters organized by location, employer, or job classification. Each one elects its own leaders, holds regular meetings, and acts as a hub for workplace solutions and collective action.
UNAC/UHCP includes more than 40 locals across California and Hawaii. Local officers, stewards, and other peer leaders work together to support members, resolve issues, and improve our work lives and environment.
Board of Directors and Executive Council: Provide strong, member-focused leadership that drives UNAC/UHCP’s work to protect our professions, strengthen our workplaces, and advocate for quality patient care.
Local Officers: Guide each local’s activities and decisions.
Stewards: Trained members who are your first point of contact on the job, ready to help with questions, enforce the contract, and connect you to the broader union.
Contract Specialists (CS): At Kaiser Permanente, these are specially trained members who work with stewards to interpret contract language and support negotiations.
Quality Liaison (QL): At Sharp Healthcare, union members round in the hospitals gathering information and interacting with members. They collect data about possible contract violations. and spread the word about union activities and keep members engaged. They serve as an important part of the Sharp bargaining unit.
Volunteer Member Organizers (VMO): Union members trained to build union strength by activating and mobilizing coworkers through strategic one-on-one conversations. VMOs engage workers, uncover their issues, and guide them toward union involvement and action.
Contract Action Team (CAT): Union members who support the bargaining team by actively communicating with and educating colleagues in their coverage area, fostering mutual understanding, and building engagement through one-on-one outreach, regular workplace presence, and organizing turnout at visibility actions such as Blue Days, surveys, petitions, and rallies.
Communicators Community (CC): Union members who volunteer to attend training in photo, video, graphic design, and other UNAC/UHCP Communications Department workshops. These members are on the frontlines of social media, helping our union amplify our stories.
Our union thrives because of the work of everyday activists: people who attend meetings, join actions, serve on committees, and help build power in the workplace. UNAC/UHCP Members: Update your information on Memberlink and find out how you can get involved.
UNAC/UHCP By The Numbers
2 States
California and Hawaii
42,000 UNAC/UHCP Members
42 Affiliates and Chapters
UNAC/UHCP Departments: Working for You
UNAC/UHCP provides expert support and resources to local officers and members, all in service of our mission and our vision. Here’s a snapshot of the departments that support our members every day:
Administration and Operations
We keep things running. Our team supports the day-to-day functions of the union, including Representation, Member Engagement, Organizing, and Education.
Communications
We amplify your voice. We craft impactful stories and messaging, secure media coverage, and develop communication strategies across all union programs—from bargaining and organizing to legal, political, and finance. You advocate for patients. We advocate for you.
Education
We train members, leaders, and staff to grow union power in the workplace. Our programs include:
- Steward Training
- Local Officer Training
- Contract Specialist Training
- Membership Matters Academy
- Continuing Education
Executive Office
We set the strategic direction of UNAC/UHCP and work with department leaders to carry it out.
Finance
We manage union finances, ensure compliance with legal reporting, and safeguard financial records.
Human Resources
We recruit, train, and support staff across departments to deliver professional excellence to our members.
Legal
We enforce contracts, manage legal risk, and support members through grievances and arbitration. We believe in building strong foundations to prevent issues before they arise.
Member Action and Resource Center (MARC)
A live resource hub for members—providing guidance, data, and governance to enhance our members’ ability to address issues in their workplaces and their communities.
Member Engagement
We work to build member involvement, identify needs, and empower more members to take action and grow our union.
Organizing
We organize to protect patient care, elevate professional standards, and ensure every member’s voice is heard and supported by the union structure.
Political and Legislative Affairs
We connect members to the political process—legislative, administrative, and electoral—to advance policies that improve healthcare, labor, and our daily lives.
Research, Public Policy, and Data
We provide original research to support contract negotiations, guide strategic planning, and strengthen every department’s work.
Representation
We advance our collective bargaining efforts and ensure contracts are enforced. We stand with you to hold management accountable and drive workplace improvements.