A strike by county-employed doctors, dentists, psychiatrists and veterinarians in Los Angeles was averted Friday, Dec. 22 when the two sides agreed to have third-party experts intervene.
The employees, who are represented by the Union of American Physicians and Dentists, say their current benefits plan, Choices, is the same one provided to rank-and-file county workers.
That coverage, they say, is lacking and has made it hard for the county to attract and retain medical professionals. Vacancy rates among medical personnel in some county departments have been as high as 50%, the union said, and it hit 70% among psychiatrists working in county jails where their services are sorely needed.
Their labor contract expired on Sept. 30, 2021, and after more than two years of negotiations, union members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. Employees were due to walk out Wednesday, Dec. 27.
While experts review the tax implications of a new benefits program, the union is postponing a walkout and the county has withdrawn its request for an injunction against the union.
UAPD said the county should offer advanced-degree healthcare professionals a benefit package that’s competitive with others in the region. They cited the MegaFlex plan, which is offered to the LA County district attorneys, public defenders and others, as a prime example.
A switch to MegaFlex would represent a 0.04% increase in the county’s $46.7 billion budget, union officials said.
In a statement issued late Friday, the county said it remains “committed to reaching agreement on a fair and fiscally responsible contract that balances the needs of our valued medical workforce with the needs of vulnerable residents who rely on the county safety net.”
County officials said they are also determined to more effectively recruit medical professionals to expand county services in critical areas, while providing additional support to the current workforce.
Dr. Kenny Pettersen, who works in internal medicine primary care at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, said salaries among LA County medical employees are often 20% to 50% less than the same roles at other facilities, including Kaiser and UCLA.
Pettersen noted that Olive View-UCLA Medical Center is owned and run by LA County through an agreement with UCLA.
“Our wages have been historically low,” he said. “And our benefits package lacks some things that are pretty basic, including short-term disability. Many doctors have delayed family events for 10 years while they went to medical school, and when they start with the county they find they have no maternity leave.”
The union further notes that attracting and retaining female employees — especially those entering the workforce after training — is increasingly difficult due to the county’s lack of participation in the State Disability Insurance program and its absence of supplemental disability insurance for family planning.
This absence puts female physicians at a disadvantage compared with private hospitals in the area, union officials said.
Dr. Stuart A. Bussey, UAPD’s president, said the union has agreed to suspend the strike until February to give the county time to review potential tax implications related to the MegaFlex plan.
“The UAPD remains committed to securing a package that facilitates the recruitment and retention of physicians, psychiatrists, veterinarians, and dentists,” Bussey said in a statement.