#United States #Des Moines #UnityPoint Health #Teamsters Local 90 #Iowa Nurses

UnityPoint Nurses Advocate for Change

This week, a group of dedicated nurses from UnityPoint Health based in Des Moines, Iowa, took the initiative to engage with influential lawmakers to address critical issues affecting their profession and the quality of healthcare they provide. Amid ongoing efforts to organize as members of Teamsters Local 90, the meeting included notable figures such as State Senator Zach Wahls, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, who expressed solidarity with the nurses’ cause.

The discussions stemmed from the nurses' concerns about union recognition, corporate greed, unsafe staffing conditions, and the overall accessibility to healthcare in rural areas. These issues are not new; they have long plagued healthcare professionals and stem from an environment where profit often overshadows patient care and employee rights.

Alano De La Rosa, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 90, underscored the frustration felt by nurses, stating, "These workers have fought too hard to be ignored." De La Rosa emphasized that the roundtable discussions illuminated the fundamental reasons behind the nurses' decision to unionize—namely, to achieve safe staffing levels, fair compensation, and improved working conditions that ultimately benefit both the caregivers and their patients.

In 2025, the nurses voted to join Teamsters Local 90 in a resolute stand against a multimillion-dollar union-busting campaign, reflecting their desire for dignity in their work environment. However, their success has been met with resistance, as their election remains unrecognized due to objections from their employer, UnityPoint Health.

Registered nurse Deb Henning articulated the ongoing struggles, pointing out that UnityPoint Health has prioritized its financial interests over essential investments in staffing and patient care. "We have been exploited for our compassion and dedication to our patients for long enough," Henning remarked, reinforcing the need for UnityPoint to acknowledge the union and commence contract negotiations immediately.

The implications of these negotiations extend far beyond the individuals involved. They reflect a growing consciousness among healthcare workers nationwide, who are striving to secure their rights and ensure that the standards of care do not falter under corporate interests. As the movement gains momentum, the support from prominent lawmakers highlights the significance of this issue in Iowa and beyond.

With the ongoing fight for recognition and fair treatment at the forefront, the UnityPoint nurses continue to stand firm. They emphasize that the demands for respect and safety in the workplace transcend personal interests and speak to the broader need for systemic change in the healthcare sector.

As reports indicate increasing unrest among healthcare workers across the country, the outcome of the UnityPoint nurses’ struggle may have far-reaching implications for labor movements within the industry. Advocates for the nurses stress that both their dedication and the support of community leaders are pivotal in fostering a culture of respect and safety in healthcare environments.

In this pivotal moment, the voices of UnityPoint nurses are not just fighting for better working conditions; they are advocating for the very principles of compassion and care that brought them to the profession in the first place. By rallying support and demanding accountability from their employer, they are setting a precedent for the future of healthcare labor rights in Iowa and potentially across the nation.