We feel that our being unionized will put us on equal footing with nursing and administration and help us to achieve improvements in clinical performance. Interestingly, one week after the vote we were invited to meet with Mr. Finnucane. Prior to that we had not been able to approach him and were told that he would filter his concerns about physicians through a couple of physician friends in the County system. Our feeling was that these friends could not possibly speak for the physicians in the trenches. He pointed out that the County is very familiar dealing with unions and is prepared to begin working on our contract.
Consolidation is opposed by many, perhaps most, in the County lab system.
It will cause job losses and the proposal would move the labs out from under the control of the Pathologists. The advantage would be increased efficiency, something we really need. No, but we were very pleased at the AMA's decision, and I am considering becoming a member for the first time. We did not want the stigma of being radicals, and the AMA's decision only helps to say that our concerns are shared by much of traditional organized medicine. I plan on staying at Olive View and providing care for the underserved population in LA County.