"The search for a "selfless" union overlooks the importance of adequate compensation for providing excellent care."

Med Care. 2014 Mar 15. [Epub ahead of print]

What do Health Care Unions do?: A Response to Manthous.

Ash M1, Seago JA, Spetz J.

Author information

• 1*Department of Economics and Center for Public Policy and Administration, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA †School of Nursing ‡Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies and Center for the Health Professions, University of California, San Francisco, CA.

Abstract

In response to Manthous, we discuss the role of unions in health care. The ethical quandary that Manthous perceives in health care worker unions is overstated because patient and worker interests are frequently aligned. The search for a "selfless" union overlooks the importance of adequate compensation for providing excellent care. The collective actions employed by health care workers' unions need not include strikes or slowdowns and can be consistent with patient safety and well-being.