Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Peak Vista Community Health Centers has agreed to settle a federal labor complaint by paying $1.2 million to clinicians who alleged they were fired due to their union organizing activity, Medscape reported Feb. 3.
Here are five things to know about the case:
1. Four physicians and one nurse practitioner were fired from Peak Vista in July 2024. The clinicians said they were fired without cause, but believed it was because of their union activity, Andrew Guttman, an organizer for the Union of American Physicians and Dentists, told Medscape.
2. Following their termination, in August 2024, the UAPD filed unfair labor practice charges. The organization claimed that Peak Vista “terminated them for raising concerns about excessive patient volumes, shortened appointment time, and the growing risk these conditions posed to patient safety and provider well-being,” in a Jan. 27 statement.
3. The concerns from practitioners arose after Peak Vista “significantly increased daily patient encounter expectations and reduced patient visit times, while pressuring providers to work unpaid additional hours,” UAPD alleged in the statement.
4. According to the statement more than 90 Peak Vista providers filed to unionize in August 2024, voting to officially join the union in January 2025.
5. The National Labor Relations Board approved the settlement Jan. 20, according to a Jan. 27 statement, which constituted a 176% full backpay remedy. In addition to the monetary reward, Peak Vista agreed to post physical and electronic copies of a two-page notice to address allegations it had conducted electronic surveillance of employees in response to their union activity.
“As part of this resolution, we are taking concrete steps to build stronger clarity and greater alignment going forward, including increased transparency in all that we do.
Just as importantly, we are using this as an opportunity to learn and improve. We are
reviewing and refining our internal practices, leadership training and decision-making
processes to help ensure collectively as an organization, both employer and employees have a better understanding of employment rights so that our policies and practices are consistent with both our values and our legal responsibilities,” Peak Vista said in a statement shared with Becker’s.
“Peak Vista will strengthen its efforts and continue to foster a workplace where employees feel heard, respected and supported” it continues. “We appreciate the patience of our team and the myriad of stakeholders and community members who make it possible for Peak Vista to connect with and serve the patients entrusted to our care.”
