http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/03/02/in-rare-move-nlrb-takes-hospitals-to-court/by James Parks, Mar 2, 2009
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is asking a federal court to force Fremont-Rideout Health Group to recognize the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC) as the representative of RNs at two of its hospitals and return to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith.
For three years, management has worked to thwart the nurses’ choice to join a union and bargain collectively at hospitals and clinics in Yuba City and Marysville, north of Sacramento.
The NLRB court filing, known as a “10(j) petition,” is rarely used, except in cases the board considers to be the most egregious violations of federal labor law, according to the union.
Says CNA/NNOC Co-President Deborah Burger:
The government could not send a stronger message of condemnation of the hospital’s misconduct. It’s time for hospital officials to stop trampling on the rights of their dedicated registered nurses, and move towards a fair agreement that will benefit the patients, the nurses, the community, and the hospital.
Burger adds the hospital’s “deplorable” campaign against the RNs presents a clear example of why the Employee Free Choice Act should be enacted.
After the RNs voted for CNA/NNOC in 2006, Fremont-Rideout management launched an anti-union campaign, has delayed negotiations and refused to bargain in good faith, the union says. The proposed Employee Free Choice Act would allow either side to request federal mediation if they cannot agree on a deal after 90 days. After 30 days of mediation, if there is still no agreement, the dispute would be referred to binding arbitration.
FULL story at link.