A union of professionals
What does affiliation of New York
psychologists mean for the AFT?

In an arrangement that could provide a model for other professionals considering joining the labor movement, the New York State Psychological Association (NYSPA) in October signed an agreement affiliating with the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and the AFT. While NYSUT and the AFT have long represented some public sector mental health professionals, such as school psychologists, this is the first time an entire group of professionals--80 percent of whom are in private practice--has joined a labor union.

The affiliation, which came after a three-year process in which NYSPA explored different affiliation options, breaks new ground for both the psychological association and the AFT. The following questions and answers look at what the affiliation means for both sides.

Q. Why would a group of psychologists in private practice want to affiliate with the AFT?

A. Psychologists, like virtually every other professional involved in the health care system, have a long list of complaints resulting from the growth of managed care and the practices of HMOs in recent years. "We have been so disenfranchised by managed care," says Dianne Brenner, NYSPA's executive director. Specifically, the group cites low reimbursement from the insurance companies, limits on the number of sessions psychologists can provide, a lack of professional autonomy and growing paperwork burdens--many of the same criticisms that have spurred growing interest in unions among doctors, as well. "Managed care companies have come between the professional and the patient," AFT president Sandra Feldman points out in her "Where We Stand" column, which deals with the affiliation.

Q. How will the affiliation help psychologists address some of these concerns?

A. The short answer? Strength in numbers. "We hope this relationship will allow us to combine our professional expertise with the experience and clout of organized labor for the benefit of our patients," says NYSPA president Marianne Jackson. In Albany and Washington, D.C., that means lobbying clout for the 3,300-member organization. In both places, the AFT provides a strong voice for its members, and many of the issues the psychologists care about--such as a Patients' Bill of Rights for HMO patients--are ones the AFT has long been advocating. As private practitioners, the psychologists are not eligible to bargain contracts, so legislative gains are especially vital. In addition, NYSPA is hoping that NYSUT's financial and organizational resources can help expand their recruiting efforts, since only about one-third of the state's psychologists are currently members. Individually, the arrangement should result in improved benefits for NYSPA members, including liability coverage, long-term care and financial counseling.

Q. How is the affiliation good for NYSUT and AFT?

A. On one level, this brings a whole new set of professionals under the AFT umbrella, which is vital as unions try to figure out ways of reaching the huge number of unorganized professionals in the country. "This is really a pioneering effort," says June Feder, a psychologist who works with New York City's peer intervention program, a collaboration between the United Federation of Teachers and the city board of education. "The challenge is for the union to think about how we can help people without traditional work lives," adds Feder, who co-chaired NYSPA's committee that looked at affiliation issues. "As more professionals work as independent agents," Feldman says, "we must find creative ways to help them act collectively on behalf of their profession and those they serve. NYSPA also has members who work for employers, and we will be supporting them as well." On a more concrete level, Feder adds, NYSPA is looking forward to working with staff and officers who negotiate contracts for NYSUT to make sure those contracts provide the best possible mental health coverage for NYSUT's 420,000 members.

Q. Are other similar organizations considering affiliation with the AFT?

American Federation of Teachers, AFL•CIO - 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW - Washington, DC 20001