Publications

What Do Health Care Unions Do? A Response to Manthous

Author(s): 

Michael Ash, Jean AnnĀ Seago, JoanneĀ Spetz

Date: 
May 1, 2014

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.

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