Clinics join wave of union activity after St Mary's hospital vote
Hundreds of outpatient nurses at SSM Health Dean Medical Group have asked for a formal union election with the National Labor Relations Board, saying workplace pressures and pay are driving staff towards collective bargaining. The petition covers 380 nurses across 10 clinic locations, and comes in the wake of a recent union certification for almost 900 nurses at St Mary's Hospital, a decision that operators say is reshaping labour relations within the health system.
In a statement released by the nurses, they pointed to what they described as "short staffing, burnout, unfair compensation and policies that do not support and retain staff" as motivating factors behind the petition. One nurse, Jennifer Loney, who works at the Dean South Madison Campus, said she was taking part in building the union because she wants to work "in a clinic that has appropriate staffing levels, sufficient training, and support for nurses which will allow us to do our best work."
What the petition covers
- Number of employees: 380 nurses
- Locations: 10 outpatient clinics
- Filing body: National Labor Relations Board (petition submitted)
The filing follows the National Labor Relations Board's decision on 22 July to overrule SSM Health and certify a union election for the larger group of nurses at St Mary's Hospital. That certification — which involved nearly 900 nursing staff — appears to have encouraged other nursing groups within the same health system to seek formal representation.
| Group | Number of nurses | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| SSM Health Dean Medical Group | 380 | 10 outpatient clinics |
| St Mary's Hospital (certified July 22) | ~900 | Hospital |
Local consequences and wider context
For patients and families who rely on outpatient services at the Dean Medical Group, the petition may signal a period of negotiation and uncertainty as staff pursue formal recognition. Unions typically seek improved staffing ratios, enhanced training, better pay and clearer policies on workload and retention — all factors Loney highlighted.
From a workforce perspective, the move echoes a wave of healthcare union activity seen in recent years, where clinical staff at hospitals and community clinics have sought collective bargaining to address what they say are systemic resource and morale issues. In this instance, the proximity of the St Mary's hospital certification has given momentum to staff in neighbouring clinics, illustrating how one successful ballot can influence employees across a health system.
“I’m helping build our union because I want to work in a clinic that has appropriate staffing levels, sufficient training, and support for nurses which will allow us to do our best work.”
The National Labor Relations Board will oversee the process for the Dean Medical Group petition. If the board determines a valid petition exists, a ballot could be arranged in due course. Until then, both staff and management are likely to watch closely: successful votes can lead to negotiations over terms and conditions that affect day-to-day patient care as well as long-term staff retention and recruitment.
For local residents, the development is a reminder that pressures within healthcare — staffing shortages, training needs and pay disputes — have direct implications for service provision. As clinics and hospitals negotiate the future of workplace relations, patients may see changes in how services are delivered and in the measures health providers take to retain experienced staff.
WE NEWS will follow the petition's progress and report any timetable for an election or responses from SSM Health once they are available.
