Labor revolt ruffles Marin convent (Dominican Sisters of San Rafael)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.marinij.com/marin/ci_5693306

Labor revolt ruffles Marin convent
Gary Klien
Article Launched: 04/18/2007 01:52:11 AM PDT

Most of the time, the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael are occupied with the tranquil pursuits of prayer, reflection and teaching.

But now the nuns have another matter on their plates - a messy bout of labor unrest 90 miles away.

A group of unionized workers at O'Connor Woods, a Stockton retirement community sponsored by the sisters, has filed a series of federal complaints against the facility, claiming labor law violations, unfair labor practices and anti-union activities. The complaints will be investigated by the National Labor Relations Board and, if found valid, could end up in the courts.

The workers, represented by SEIU United Healthcare Workers West, went public with the allegations Tuesday as the union and management are in the midst of delicate contract talks. And while the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael have little involvement with the facility's day-to-day management, the union's announcement prominently claims the retirement home is "operated" by the nuns.

"It upsets me," said Sister Patricia Simpson, the order's prioress general.

The labor tension dates to early last year, when 200 of the retirement home's 340 employees voted to join the union. The workers claim management held anti-union meetings, ordered an employee from the property for discussing contract bargaining, and tried to enlist the residents themselves to resist the union.


FULL story at link.