Jefferson University SPs Unionize With Local 32

Today more than 70% of the roughly 140 Standardized Patients at Thomas Jefferson University submitted a petition to University President Susan Aldridge and Jefferson CEO Joseph G. Cacchione to announce their formation of a union with OPEIU Local 32 and to demand voluntary recognition.

The Standardized Patients (SPs) are employees at Thomas Jefferson University’s Rector Clinical Skills & Simulation Center who are extensively trained to simulate common health care situations to provide students at the University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College and Jefferson College of Nursing hands-on experience in diagnosis, physical examinations, and appropriate bedside manner.

Despite the importance of Standardized Patients to the education of Jefferson’s students, SPs have not received an increase in base pay since 2008 despite years of increasing cost of living and inflation in the Philadelphia area. Jefferson Standardized Patients’ scheduling is erratic, frequently leading to weeks or even months without work and pay.

Workplace safety protections are also a high priority for the unionizing SPs who demand increased security at the Dorrance H. Hamilton building where they work on Jefferson’s campus. Over the past year, multiple incidents of unauthorized intruders entering the building during work hours have been reported, potentially endangering staff.

The Jefferson University SPs also join a national trend of workers including Hollywood Actors (SAG-AFTRA) and Writers (WGA) seeking union representation to protect their jobs against a growing trend of advanced Artificial Intelligence technology, including in the health care education industry.