Steelworkers union files complaint against United Way, coercing employees into giving up union rep

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/all-b1_4union.5810798apr20,0,3895429.story?coll=all-newslocalbethlehem-hed

Steelworkers union files complaint against United Way
It says nonprofit is coercing employees into leaving labor group.
By Daryl Nerl Of The Morning Call
The United Steelworkers Local 2599 has taken on the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, alleging in a complaint to the National Labor Relations Board that the nonprofit's president is coercing employees into giving up union representation.

The bargaining unit has scheduled a union-decertification vote for May 16 for its nine union employees, all secretaries who work in the United Way's Bethlehem office, said Jerry Green, president of Local 2599.

United Way has about 35 total employees. At least three of the secretaries would have had to sign a decertification petition to bring it to a vote, Green said.

In a prepared statement issued Thursday, the United Way denied that it is trying to coerce its employees to abandon the Steelworkers union.

''The decertification petition filed by United Way employees was undertaken solely at their own initiative,'' the statement said. ''In no way did United Way management encourage or assist employees with this petition.

''With respect to the unfair labor practice charge filed against United Way by Jerry Green, USW Local 2599 president, United Way management categorically states that no improper communication or other influence took place between management and any employee or employees regarding the decertification petition,'' the statement said.

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