A recent decision by the Kansas Public Employee Relations Board has ordered that 37 delayed ballots be counted in the unionization vote of pharmacy technicians at the University of Kansas Health System. The ballots, which were postmarked before the election deadline but did not arrive in time for the initial vote count, will be added to the tally.
Unionization Efforts
The Pharmacy Guild, part of the IAM Healthcare Union, had challenged the results of the original vote, citing the disenfranchisement of pharmacy professionals. The union had argued that the delayed ballots should be counted, and the state board has now agreed.
The unionization effort is part of a national trend among pharmacy workers, who have been seeking better working conditions and higher pay. The University of Kansas Health System has responded by stating that its staffing model for pharmacy technicians is responsive to changing needs and that the number of pharmacy technician positions has continued to grow.
The health system also noted that its pharmacy technicians have received two pay increases in the past year, as part of routine updates and new career path structures designed and implemented by the health system. Despite this, the union remains optimistic about its chances once the missing votes are included.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
