Sutter Health’s physician organizations, hospitals, home health and other services have nearly 60 locally-negotiated collective bargaining agreements with 17 different labor unions. About 13,700 employees have elected to work under labor union contracts. Sutter Health and its affiliates employ a total of about 45,000 people.

Our affiliates and employees are proud that the vast majority of labor relationships within our network are positive and constructive, with management and labor representatives sharing a commitment to work together in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect to deliver quality health care.

SEIU United Healthcare Workers West
For the past decade, the leaders of SEIU United Healthcare Workers West have conducted an ongoing misinformation campaign – also known as a "corporate campaign” -- targeting the organizations that comprise the not-for-profit Sutter Health network of hospitals and doctors.

Frustrated over its lack of success in attracting new union members through traditional organizing efforts, SEIU United Healthcare Workers West repeatedly tries to disrupt health care services. These pages provide more detailed information:

• SEIU United Healthcare Workers West’s misinformation campaign
• What others have to say
• The truth vs. SEIU United Healthcare Workers West’s allegations

SEIU’s Campaign Against Sutter Health

Union leaders want new members and the dues money they pay every month. SEIU United Healthcare Workers West's campaign is ultimately focused on forcing Sutter Health leadership to recognize and endorse the union as the union of choice for employees throughout our network. Such a move could provide $7.8 million a year in additional union dues for UHW from employees within the Sutter Health network. We have relationships with dozens of different unions. Our affiliated organizations are fundamentally opposed to choosing a particular union for their employees.

What is Sutter Health’s position on organized labor?
Where labor union relationships exist at our affiliates, labor contracts are honored and bargained locally in good faith with the goal of promoting positive labor/management relations while abiding by all applicable laws and regulations. Where union agreements do not exist, Sutter Health affiliate leaders believe that all employees should be able to make fully informed decisions and exercise freedom of choice through the democratic process established by the National Labor Relations Board.