Efforts to unionize among physicians have been on the rise over the last several years as they face increased pressures from burnout, corporatization and rising inflation.
Here are five things to know about the state of physician unionization in 2026:
1. Becker’s reported on at least 38 healthcare strikes in 2025, as well as eight other union-related updates that specifically included physicians.
2. According to a study published in 2024 by JAMA, fewer than 10% of physicians in the U.S. are unionized, but the number of union drives from 2023 to 2024 alone represented 3,523 new physicians, almost the same number represented by unions over the last 22 years.
3. According to a Medscape survey released in August 2025, about half of the 1,571 physicians who responded said they felt positively towards unionization, compared with 24% who said they were unsupportive or very unsupportive, with the remainder expressing neutrality on the subject.
4. In another Medscape survey, 48% of physicians said that diminished autonomy was the worst part of their job, demonstrating the value of autonomy for both independent and employed physicians.
5. Physician well-being, compensation and healthcare were key issues among union activity in 2025. In November, when University of Massachusetts resident physicians, interns and fellows employed by Worcester-based UMass Chan Medical School ratified a new contract, union members secured a 9.5% compensation increase over three years in addition to a $5,000 annual stipend for mental health services per person, per household and other educational and health-related benefits.
