The National Labor Relations Board has found that Western Connecticut Health Network interfered with employee free choice when it came to a June vote by some workers to unionize.
The NLRB has recommended that the results of a June union election among some workers at Danbury and New Milford Hospitals be invalidated. A new vote was recommended among approximately 800 nursing assistants, service, maintenance, and environmental workers at both hospitals. The original vote in June was 346 in favor of unionizing, 390 against. Workers had said inadequate staffing, pay and better treatment were top concerns in the drive to unionize.
The Hearing Officer cites evidence of unlawful interference with employees' free choice by management of the non-profit network that operates both facilities. The report is based on testimony provided in July by impacted workers who told the Hearing Board about illegal, anti-union conduct by managers and outside consultants retained by the Western Connecticut Health Network.
Two days before the union election, the network management acknowledged the criminal records of outside consultants retained to conduct a "union-busting" campaign.
There is an appeals process that allows Western Connecticut Health Network to respond.
AFT Connecticut already represents 985 registered nurses, medical technicians, clinicians and licensed practical nurses at both acute care facilities.
