Organize for Power: Uniting for Better Pay, Protection, and Patient Care
Forming your union with United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) gives healthcare workers a powerful united voice to secure stronger protections and improve patient care through collective bargaining.
Who We Are
The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) represents more than 40,000 registered nurses and health care professionals in California and Hawaii. UNAC/UHCP grew out of a simple but powerful belief: those who care for patients must have a voice in how care is delivered.
For over five decades, weve empowered healthcare professionals through democratic, transparent leadership. We negotiate strong contracts that secure fair compensation, safe staffing, and professional respect—because better conditions for caregivers mean better care for patients.
We are more than a union—we are a movement of healthcare professionals fighting to uplift standards, defend our communities, and shape the future of health care. Our commitment to patient care doesn’t start when we clock in or stop when we clock out. It’s who we are.
Organizing in Action
Why Organize?
When healthcare professionals join forces, the entire system improves:
- Enhanced Patient Care: When Clinicians have a voice In decisions, then can advocate for best practices and safer care.
- Fair Compensation and Benefits: Organizing enables you to negotiate competitive wages, fair scheduling practices, and comprehensive benefits.
- A Voice where is matters: Whether is the bedside, the state capitol or the negotiation table, UNAC/UHCP members speak with strength and unity to impvoe the lives of all healthcare professionals and the patient they care for.
- Safer, healthier workplaces: Enforceable staffing ratios, reasonable workloads and a safe work environment improve both caregiver well-being and patient outcomes.
Understanding Your Rights
Federal law guarantees your right to organize. Here’s what you should know:
- Right to Organize: You have the legal right to form, join, or assist a union.
- Protection from Retaliation: It’s unlawful for an employer to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees exercising their organizing rights.
- Right to Bargain: Employees have the right to negotiate collectively with their employer over working conditions, wages, and other employment terms.
Read more about your rights from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
The Organizing Process
Organizing your workplace involves clear, achievable steps:
- Initial Contact: Reach out confidentially to UNAC/UHCP to express your interest.
- Building Support: Connect with your colleagues, share information and grow momenteum.
- Authorization Cards: Employees sign authorization cards expressing their desire for union representation.
- Filing for an Election: Once sufficient support is demonstrated, a secret election is held by National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
- Win and get certified: If the majority votes yes, UNAC/UHCP is certified as your collective bargaining representative.
- Negotiate a Contract: Together, you’ll negotiate a legally binding contract that addresses your priorities and protects your rights.
Organizing with UNAC/UHCP
Ready to take the first step?
If you’re interested in organizing a union at your non-represented facility and joining thousands of healthcare professionals like yourself. Please fill out the confidential form below, and we’ll be in touch shortly.
All inquiries remain strictly confidential.