(Des Moines, IA) -- UnityPoint Health nurses are pressing ahead with their efforts to unionize despite recent setbacks. Teamsters Local 90 held a rally today after UnityPoint refused to recognize the nurses' union.
"We've asked, we've begged for safe environments. Nurses continue to be assaulted at work. We're asked to care for more and more patients, and the patients are getting sicker. It's just not sustainable," said Sammi Ladd, a Critical Care Nurse at Iowa Methodist Medical Center.
Nurses began organizing in November 2024, and since then, 1,800 nurses across four hospitals have joined the effort. They are unionizing for better and safer working conditions, increased staffing, and improved pay. Organizers say their next step is to host an election.
Due to understaffing, nurses are caring for up to 12 patients at a time, while charge nurses manage 50 beds in addition to their own patient load.
"Divide 60 minutes by 12, that's five minutes per patient, and God forbid you need to use the bathroom or take your medication one pill at a time, that's going to take extra time out of the day. It's unfortunate. I've seen many nurses leave, and with them, we lose valuable institutional experience," said Colin Russell, a Rapid Response Nurse at Iowa Methodist Medical Center.
He says nurses typically care for five to six patients, and that taking on double the patient load has affected the quality of care.
UnityPoint released a statement in response to the rally
Earlier today, Teamsters Local 90 presented UnityPoint Health leadership with a demand to voluntarily recognize their union as the bargaining representative for some nurses in Des Moines. While we respect our nurses' right to seek or reject outside representation, we believe that recognizing a union based on a claim of support from a segment of the nursing team is not the best way forward. This type of choice should be made in a way that protects each nurse’s right to a private, fully informed decision, and we believe that can only occur through standard election processes guided by the National Labor Relations Board. If an election is called, we encourage all eligible nurses to vote and make their voices heard.
At UnityPoint Health, our nurses inspire us daily with their compassion, dedication, and heart. We deeply value each nurse and want to work closely with them because we believe that direct collaboration builds the strongest, most supportive environment for everyone. For that reason, we believe that representation by an outside party is not in the best interests of our hospitals, our nurses, or the patients we serve.