Will Unions Help Us Organize?

Corporatized healthcare increasingly views physicians as ‘interchangeable workers’ rather than the irreplaceable specialists they are. Many are turning to unions to strengthen their voice.  Kelly Nedrow, a lawyer and senior advisor for health issues with the American Federation of Teachers, talks with us about how organizing in healthcare unions can help physicians strategize for shared governance and better work environments.

LISTEN NOW

In the 43cc podcast episode titled “Will Unions Help Us Organize?” released on February 13, 2025, hosts Wendy Dean, MD, and Matt Ramsey, MD, engage in a discussion with Kelly Nedrow, a lawyer and senior advisor for health issues with the American Federation of Teachers. The conversation centers on the increasing corporatization of healthcare, which often treats physicians as interchangeable workers rather than recognizing them as irreplaceable specialists. They explore how organizing within healthcare unions can empower physicians to advocate for shared governance and improved work environments.

Notes & Resources

43cc wants to be factual and informational and be hopeful in a way that provides a mechanism to get through this mess and try to be better together.

Moral injury plays a major role in this circumstance as well.

If I Betray These Words… By Wendy Dean, MD

American Federation of Teachers – Healthcare Division: Provides information on how healthcare professionals can get involved in union activities to advocate for better working conditions.

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB): Offers guidance on the rights of employees, including healthcare workers, to organize and engage in collective bargaining.