The union says unresolved issues around wages, training, and safety are affecting a workforce responsible for keeping critical imaging systems operational.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union is urging Philips Healthcare to finalize a first contract with 17 field service engineers in San Diego who voted in fall 2024 to unionize. The engineers maintain and repair imaging and diagnostic systems across San Diego and the Inland Empire.
According to the IAM, the bargaining committee has been in negotiations with Philips since January 2025. The union says the company has not yet agreed to terms related to wage structures, safety protections, and training commitments for servicing CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, and other diagnostic equipment used in hospitals and clinics throughout the region.
Union representatives say workers are seeking pay that reflects the technical skills required for the role, as well as improved compensation for overnight and emergency calls. The IAM also notes that members want paid training, additional safety measures, more predictable scheduling, and reimbursement for job-related travel.
IAM leaders state that delays in reaching an agreement are contributing to uncertainty within the workforce.
“These engineers are the invisible backbone of our healthcare system,” says IAM Union western territory general vice president Robert “Bobby” Martinez, in a release. “Without them, hospitals cannot diagnose strokes, detect cancers, or deliver timely emergency care. Philips must recognize their skill, respect their critical role, and negotiate a contract that protects both workers and patients.”
The union says it plans to continue raising awareness about the lack of a contract nearly a year after negotiations began.
“Philips has the opportunity right now to be a leader in patient safety, worker retention, and healthcare quality,” says IAM Union District 725 assistant directing business representative Justin Mauldin, in a release. “We are urging the company to come to the table with real solutions so these workers can continue performing their life-saving roles without being stretched thin.”
The IAM Union represents approximately 600,000 active and retired members in industries including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, transit, healthcare, automotive, and others throughout the United States and Canada.
Philips Healthcare had not responded to 24×7 Magazine’s request for comment by the time of publication.
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