Des Moines hospitals have announced plans to unionize, citing wages, patient care. Here's what you need to know:

Nurses from UnityPoint Health hospitals in central Iowa are unionizing.Dozens of nurses and union representatives gathered on the Center Street sidewalk Tuesday afternoon to announce their plan and collect signed union authorization cards to start the unionization process.

Nurses at UnityPoint Health-Des Moines announced on Tuesday that they’re looking to unionize in an effort to achieve better pay, benefits, and a safer environment for staff and patients. Tuesday afternoon a news conference was held by nurses to address why they’re forming a union.

Nurses at Des Moines' Methodist, Blank and Lutheran hospitals are being asked to join an effort that could lead to an employee union, two organizers of the effort tell Axios. Why it matters: The employees are seeking better pay and working conditions,