February 2023
Colorado’s public workers would get new labor protections under UCHWU/CWA 7799-backed bill introduced
Currently, there is no recourse for public sector workers (including UCHealth employees) who experience retaliation for speaking out on important workplace issues. This bill would change that by:
Prohibiting public employers (like UCHealth) from discriminating against, coercing, intimidating, interfering with, imposing reprisals against, or threatening to discriminate against any public employee for participating in a union, discussing workplace issues, or workers’ rights.
Protect public workers when we speak out on issues of public concern and allow public workers to fully engage in the political process.
Prohibit public employers from discharging or discriminating against a public employee because the public employe has filed an affidavit, petition, or complaint that they have violated labor law or the public employee has chosen to join, form, assist, or be represented by a union.
Protect public workers when we speak with members of our employer’s governing body about our working conditions and any matters of public concern.
Protect public workers who organize, join, form, or assist a union.
The Denver Post / Read Full Article
January 2023
UCHWU wins lunch break policy change for Anschutz Unit
After months of organizing, handing out flyers, and putting pressure on UCHealth, MSPCU-Anschutz leadership listened to staff and is piloting a "Back to Breaks" initiative. Leadership will help break bedside staff with the hopes of 30 minute uninterrupted lunch breaks becoming the norm.
While our ultimate goal is to achieve staffing that allows ALL staff to take the breaks they deserve and to get frontline workers a say in those kinds of decisions, this win is the direct result of UCHWU dues-paying members coming together to put pressure on UCHealth leadership. When we come together, we can make a real difference!
Follow the link below for instructions on how to create a Kronos exception to get paid for the time you are working through lunch and to take our survey. Join us today and join the fight for safe staffing and fair breaks!
January 2023
Colorado Hospital Profits Among Nation’s Highest for Third Consecutive Year
In 2021, UCHealth had a total profit margin of 26.1%. Compare this with for-profit Colorado hospital system HealthONE, which had a profit margin of 18.6% in 2021, and it’s not hard to see how UCHealth continues to rank among the nation’s leaders in profits.
Executive Director of the Department Kim Bimestefer stated “… these reports clearly illustrate that our larger hospital systems are still sitting on huge reserves despite this unprecedented chapter. Improvements in policy are needed to ensure hospitals are prioritizing affordability initiatives and how they channel community investments to better meet the needs of the communities they serve.”
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing / Read Full Press Release
May 2022
UCHWU/CWA 7799-backed Whistleblower Protection Health and Safety Bill is signed into Colorado law!
What does this bill do?
Protects workers from retaliation or adverse actions for raising good faith health and safety concerns
Gives workers options for justice, including administrative remedies and court action
Gives the Colorado Department of Labor and Employments the authority to enforce and investigate claims
Requires employers to notify workers of their whistleblower rights
We were one of many unions and organizations in support of this bill! Join us today as we continue to empower public workers!
Colorado Legislature / Read Full Description
May 2021
CWA Local 7799 endorses the Colorado Option (HB21-1232) for more affordable care for Coloradans
Health insurance costs in this country are the highest in the world. This has led to millions of Americans unable to afford health insurance. It is a terrible irony that our most vulnerable in society, the people most likely to experience negative social determinants of health, are the most likely to suffer from the problem of un- and underinsurance.
The Colorado Option Bill (HB21-1232) is a step in the direction of health justice. If signed into law, this bill would lower costs by 20% for individual health insurance plans bought on the marketplace and for insurance plans for small businesses, about 1/7th of the health insurance market. The burden of these cost reductions will be shared among some of the most profitable industries in Colorado: large health care systems, insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies.
As a healthcare workers union, we must stand up for the best outcomes for our patients. We refuse to accept the “patients vs. healthcare workers” narrative that the healthcare industry lobby is pushing. When healthcare is affordable, it is accessible, and when it is accessible, everyone benefits, including those providing the care. That is why we at CWA Local 7799 are endorsing HB21-1232.
March 2021
UCHealth nurses say hospital still short-staffed; hospital says union trying to “expand their business”
The Denver Post / Read Full Article
February 2021
Colorado hospitals’ profit margins are nation’s highest as state lawmakers move to cap health care costs
The Colorado Sun / Read Full Article
December 2020
UCHealth workers to form union, citing COVID-19 ‘crisis within a crisis’
Longmont Leader / Read Full Article
December 2020
UCHealth workers launch union and highlight growing staffing concerns and burnout
The Denver Channel / Read Full Article
December 2020
UCHealth workers to form union, citing COVID-19 ‘crisis within a crisis’
Colorado Newsline / Read Full Article
December 2020
UCHealth Workers To Form Union, Citing COVID-19 'Crisis Within A Crisis'
Patch / Read Full Article
December 2020
UCHealth Workers Announce Plans to Form a Union Over Staffing Concerns
The Denver Post / Read Full Article
June 2019
The Business of Health Care Depends on Exploiting Doctors and Nurses
The New York Times / Read Full Article
April 2020
Amid Coronavirus Distress, Wealthy Hospitals Hoard Millions
The Washington Post / Read Full Article
October 2020
'All You Want Is To Be Believed': Sick With COVID-19 And Facing Racial Bias In The ER
NPR / Read Full Article
July 2020
Denver Paramedic Pulls Back the Curtain on the Trauma and Burnout Healthcare Workers Face
The Denver Channel / Read Full Article
April 2020
Nurses Share Coronavirus Stories Anonymously in an Online Document
The New York Times / Read Full Article
April 2020
Nurses Across the U.S. Protest Dangerous Conditions and For-Profit Health Care
Labor Notes / Read Full Article
March 2020
Using Trash Bags for Gowns: Interview with a New York Nurse
Labor Notes / Read Full Article
March 2020
LA County Nurses Union Demands More Masks on the Front Lines of Coronavirus Battle
Los Angeles Daily News / Read Full Article