Nursing Facility Votes To Unionize

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.courant.com/business/hc-nursingunion0929.artsep29,0,6974708.story

By JANICE PODSADA | Courant Staff Writer
September 29, 2007

Health care workers at a 73-bed skilled nursing facility in Simsbury voted 49-6 this week to join the New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199.

Wednesday's secret-ballot election, which was overseen by the National Labor Relations Board, was held at Governor's House Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Simsbury.

Governor's House is one of nine skilled nursing homes in Connecticut operated by Harborside Healthcare, which is owned by Sun Healthcare Group of Irvine, Calif.

Ballots were counted Wednesday night, said Deborah Chernoff, union spokeswoman. The election has not yet been certified, however.

"The union has won the election and we are prepared to meet and bargain in good faith," said Ray Talamona, regional vice president of Harborside operations, a subsidiary of Sunrise Healthcare.

"One of our primary concerns as a long-term health care provider for the community of Simsbury is to offer the highest quality care possible to our residents."


FULL story at link.

[ismnotwasm]

1. When I worked long term care

Someone tried to unionize, I saw first hand the (tame by today's standards) length a company will go. Hired a "secretary" to stay late in case a union rep showed up--to call the police. Spewed out pages of propaganda about how the benefits would decrease (before I left, they were decreasing anyway) Administrator got fired for letting it get as far as it did. (It was voted down)It was a weird surreal experience. Good for Simsbury.