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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (April 6, 2012)
Bend hospital fires SEIU supporters amid decertification campaign A union vote at St. Charles Medical Center is on hold while the NLRB investigates violations BEND — The biggest private-sector union win in Oregon in recent years is at risk of unraveling. At St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, a narrow majority of workers voted Jan. 5, 2011 to join Service Em- ployees International Union (SEIU) Local 49. But in 10 months of negotia- tions, no collective bargaining agree- ment has been achieved for the unit of 604 support workers. When there’s no union contract a year after the vote to unionize, federal law allows a re-vote. On Feb. 21, anti- union workers turned in signatures from the required 30 percent of the work- place, and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) scheduled a decertifica- tion election for March 21. But then the federal agency put the vote on hold, at the union’s request, pending investigation of union charges that St. Charles broke federal labor law. The agency’s regional office deter- mined that the allegations were suffi- ciently serious that they could poten- tially affect the outcome of the election, NLRB public affairs director Nancy Cleeland explained. Cleeland said the APRIL 6, 2012 NLRB has begun interviewing wit- nesses and is aiming to have a decision within five weeks. The environment at St. Charles has become hostile to union supporters, says union organizer Will Layng. The hospital placed bargaining team mem- ber Ken Daniels and two other union supporters on unpaid leave Feb. 22, and then terminated them on March 12 — because of their union activity, the union alleges. Daniels — a 12-year em- ployee who sterilized equipment at the hospital — was the worker who first called the union. In a written response to questions from the Labor Press, St. Charles CEO Jay Henry said the terminations were in no way related to union activity. But the hospital doesn’t disclose details related to personnel issues, he said. Local 49 also says that St. Charles: • Engaged in “surface bargaining” without intent to reach agreement; • Had supervisors and managers shadow and listen in on conversations of employees who are union activists; • Imposed illegal no-solicitation rules, no-talk rules, no-access rules, and rules against the wearing or distribution of union insignia. Moreover, the hospital has been holding mandatory-attendance anti- union meetings, Layng says, and front- line managers are meeting individually with every member of the bargaining unit. St. Charles is advised by an outside labor relations consultant that special- izes in “union avoidance” and “preven- tive labor relations.” Henry denied holding mandatory meetings, and rejected the charge that St. Charles engaged in surface bargain- ing. “We have been and continue to ne- gotiate in good faith,” Henry wrote, adding that the two sides have met over 30 times, including with a federal me- diator, and that the hospital had pro- vided more than 140 written proposals. Twenty-nine items have been tenta- tively agreed to. The two sides were scheduled to meet again for bargaining April 3-4, af- ter this issue of the Labor Press went to press. Memorial service for workers killed on the job set for April 26 SALEM — The Oregon AFL-CIO will hold a Workers Memorial Day service at noon Thursday, April 26, at the Fallen Worker Memorial at the state Capitol Mall. The actual date of Workers Memorial Day is April 28. The day was estab- lished by the national AFL-CIO in 1988 to remember and honor workers killed on the job. It is also a day when members of organized labor can demonstrate their commitment to ending the needless pain, suffering and loss of life, which are associated with unhealthy and unsafe working conditions. The Oregon AFL-CIO service will feature remarks from elected officials, union leaders, and safety and health advocates, and will include a reading of the names of Oregon workers killed on the job and Oregonians killed in mil- itary service in calendar year 2011. Workers Memorial Day 2012 marks the 41st anniversary of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act. Despite this landmark piece of legisla- tion, American workers continue to face inordinately high rates of employ- ment-caused injuries, diseases, and death. The Fallen Workers Memorial is located on the State Capitol Mall in Salem next to the main entrance of the Labor and Industries Building. It was donated to the State of Oregon by the Oregon AFL-CIO and dedicated by Gov. Ted Kulongoski on Workers Memorial Day 2009. Unions to bowl for MDA April 29 The 23rd Annual Labor Bowl Chal- lenge to benefit the local Muscular Dys- trophy Association (MDA) will be held Sunday, April 29, at Sunset Lanes, 12770 SW Walker Road, Beaverton. This year’s is a western theme. Reg- istration starts at 11 a.m., with bowling under way at “High Noon.” Money for MDA is raised by indi- vidual fundraising and a silent auction. The goal is to pre-register 30 five-mem- ber bowling teams representing more NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS than 20 union locals. In addition to bowling, there is a silent auction, door prizes, pizza, and soft drinks for participants. Prizes will be awarded to the top fundraiser, the top average (three games) and lowest aver- age bowler, plus a prize for the best western outfit. Also, there are prizes for incremental levels of fundraising. All proceeds benefit the local MDA, which provides much-needed support to over 1,200 local individuals and fami- lies living with neuromuscular diseases. Money goes to buy wheel chairs and braces for children, as well as medical services, research and summer camps. Since its inception in 1989, the La- bor Bowl — coordinated by the Na- tional Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 82, the Northwest Ore- gon Labor Council, and other participat- ing Oregon labor unions — has raised $326,767 for MDA. For more information, or to sign up and receive fundraising packets and in- structions, call Jim Cook, president of NALC Branch 82, at 503-493-5903. To donate silent auction items, call NALC’s MDA Coordinator Debby Burbank at 971-404-5384. Low Prices! Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9:30-5:30, Sun 12-6 PAGE 9
