Banner Health employees can start casting ballots this week on whether to unionize

Around 250 Banner Health employees can start casting ballots this week on Wednesday on whether to unionize.

Doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants working for Banner allege that clinicians have been excluded from decisions made by Banner executives, which affect patient care conditions.

Dr. Justin Watkins practices family medicine at a Gilbert clinic. He said his patients back the effort to unionize.

“As soon as I say the point of this is so you can get in to see me sooner. So that I can respond to your messages sooner. So that I can review your labs and your images faster. So you’re not waiting a week on a medication referral and going without medicine,” Watkins said.

Banner has said it’s always prioritized leaders and team members working together without third party interference. Banner has also said it has a responsibility to give employees accurate information about unions.

Watkins said Banner has broken up four other union drives.

“Generally speaking, when you’re unionizing, the earlier in the process the employer finds out about it the more power they have to shut things down. We really wanted to get to that threshold of 30% that’s required by national law,” Watkins said.

Watkins was referring to the number of supporters required to trigger a union vote.

Ballots are scheduled to be counted in early September.