For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 27, 1996
D.C. Doctors Council Affiliates with AFSCME
Washington, DC —Efforts by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, to bring more doctors into the union got a shot in the arm this month when AFSCME's International Executive Board voted to accept the affiliation of the Doctors Council of the District of Columbia. The Doctors Council represents about 300 city medical doctors working in various agencies around the city such as St. Elizabeths, the Lorton Correctional Facility, and the Health Department.
"We're pleased to announce the recent affiliation of the Doctors Council of the District of Columbia with AFSCME," said AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee. "AFSCME is committed to improving patient care by improving the working conditions of America's doctors, nurses, nurse assistants, and other hospital staff. We look forward to bringing our strength and commitment to the Doctors Council of the District of Columbia."
The affiliation between the Doctors Council and AFSCME reflects what many see as a growing trend among physicians to join unions. Other AFSCME-affiliated unions representing physicians include the Florida Federation of Physicians and Dentists, the Cook County House Staff Association, and others.
AFSCME, with more than 1.3 million members, is the nation's largest public employee and health care workers union.
