Standing with Planned Parenthood Workers: How the workers of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania won their union

Workers at Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country want a say in their ever-changing workplaces, particularly during the pandemic and uncertainty of abortion's legal future. We've read the articles about efforts to unionize and social media announcements of new unions popping up with excitement. We decided to interview members of the Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania bargaining unit to learn more about their experiences unionizing and their tips for repro workers and other Planned Parenthood workers looking to unionize.

Name: Bargaining Team members: Crystal G (she/her) + Hannah O (she/her) + Jocelyn K (she/they)

Twitter: @ppwpunion

Instagram: @ppwpunion 

One of your favorite nonprofits : Western PA Fund for Choice

ReproJobs: You are the workers of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania and you all won your union election last year, in early 2021! Congratulations! Can you tell us a little bit about why you decided to form a union and what your hopes were that the union could help you with?

PPWP Workers: We were working to form a union prior to the escalation of COVID-19, but actions sped up with the global pandemic because it exacerbated all the issues that motivated us. We wanted a real voice in decisions that impacted us and our workplace, and realized that the only way to do that was in collective organizing via a workplace union in order to effectively engage with our employer. 

There were rampant issues of racism and transphobia at our affiliate, and no accountability at any level of management. Our clinics were kept at barebones staffing levels, we had constant turnover, and people were so burnt out that we had daily call-offs. The combination of these issues meant we were all working multiple jobs every shift, or working really long hours to see our patients. Our appointment schedules were never adjusted to reflect staffing shortages and the staff to patient ratios were unfair to workers and patients receiving services.

Workers were also frustrated by the lack of transparency around promotions and new positions. New positions would be created or higher level positions would open up and people who had worked here for many years would be overlooked for those positions, leaving workers feeling demoralized and underappreciated. It also created an overall feeling that working here long term wouldn’t get you anywhere. We wanted a workplace that valued seniority. 

ReproJobs: How did the effort to organize the union bring you and your unit together in the process?

PPWP Workers: Instead of suffering alone, we began to collectively talk about the problems we experienced at work and a path forward together. It dispelled a lot of the isolation we had felt before, and not only that, gave people hope and a sense of community. We also learned so much about all of the departments and how the issues were clearly systemic and needed to be addressed collectively. 

ReproJobs: What was the biggest challenge for you and your crew to get started organizing your union?

PPWP Workers: The biggest challenge was making connections and communicating with different sites and departments spread over a distance, especially during a pandemic. It’s hard to meet people who work several hours away from you! But it’s possible, and our organizing committee managed to make those connections through lots of brainstorming around this specific challenge. 

ReproJobs: For years, we received a lot of questions from staffers at Planned Parenthood affiliates about unionizing and now we’ve been seeing unions pop up at Planned Parenthoods all across the country. What do you think is motivating this wave to unionize at Planned Parenthoods?

PPWP Workers: The Covid-19 pandemic really brought to light just how essential frontline healthcare workers are, and we as Planned Parenthood workers realized that we were a part of that in a way we hadn’t before. Knowing how crucial we are to carrying out the organization’s mission every day has really empowered us to strive for the best for our staff, and that is something that is universal across affiliates.

Planned Parenthood affiliates all seem to be experiencing a similar gap between rank and file staff and senior management, and that gap has widened exponentially over the years. Staff providing essential services have felt powerless to affect change while struggling to provide these services -- but we’ve been discovering how a staff union bridges that gap and moves power back into our hands.

ReproJobs: You’re currently in the bargaining process with your affiliate management. What’s that process been like? 

PPWP Workers: Long! But worth it, because of all our achievements and progress. Planned Parenthood definitely doesn't make it easy and they are very concerned about their image. We are standing our ground on the things that are most important to us, and we are prepared to use all strategies to achieve a fair contract. We haven’t gone public as of yet, but have many supporters standing by if we need to go that route. As unionized workers, we know that the best image for them involves affiliates with strong union contracts and empowered, well-compensated staff. 

ReproJobs: For Planned Parenthood workers out there who are thinking about unionizing their affiliate, what’s the best advice you’d give them?

PPWP Workers: Talk to your co-workers about your workplace issues, and develop real relationships with your co-workers along the way. Even if you don’t say the word “union,” talking about the problems you're experiencing and discussing possible solutions is the first step to talking about how a union can help. Take every opportunity to meet staff at other locations especially if your affiliate is spread out across your state or multiple states. Map out the connections that already exist and build on those. It’s easier to work toward a union if you build community and know one another! 

ReproJobs: We’re seeing a huge resurgence of unions across the nation and within the progressive organizing space. Why do you think repro workers need to be part of this union wave?

PPWP Workers: It’s no secret that there is currently a war against reproductive rights and abortion access raging across the country, and this adds to the stigma against reproductive healthcare that has always existed. Repro workers not only provide essential healthcare every day; they do it while fighting a societal stigma and outside aggressors that are physically and mentally draining. This truly essential group of workers needs to have all of the support it can from its employers and can benefit so much from unionization. 

ReproJobs: How can repro workers connect with you?

PPWP Workers: You can follow our union (PPWP UE Local 696) on Twitter @ppwpunion and Instragram @ppwpunion to follow our progress through collective bargaining and beyond. If you want to show our union some love, you can do so by tagging us and using the hashtag #IStandWithPPWorkers.