EXCLUSIVE: 1199SEIU Accused Of More Union-Busting As Staffers Vote On Unionization
The NLRB will be counting the mail ballots on June 14th.
By Peter List, Editor | June 8, 2024
Last week, 1199SEIU-United Healthcare Workers East staffers, who are currently voting on whether or not to unionize, filed their third unfair labor practice charge against their union bosses with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
On Monday, with mail ballots set to be counted by the NLRB on June 14th, the union seeking to represent the more than 250 union staffers employed by 1199SEIU-UHWE filed a charge claiming that union management unilaterally altered the terms and conditions of employment in retaliation of the employees’ unionization efforts.
On or about May 31, 2024, the above-named employer unilaterally altered terms and conditions of employment concerning the use of paid time off days and/or remote work, and did so in retaliation for the employees' demand that the employer recognize the Washington-Baltimore News Guild as their bargaining agent and during the voting period on the RC petition filed by the Guild.
Generally, during the critical period before a NLRB election, employers like 1199SEIU-UHWE are required by the NLRB to maintain “laboratory conditions” and refrain from making unilateral changes to employees terms and conditions of employment.
It is also unlawful for employers to retaliate against employees for exercising their rights to unionize (or not).
3rd charge against union management in less than three months
Last week’s charge against union management is the third unfair labor practice charge filed since April for engaging in union-busting behavior.
The first charge, filed in late April, accused 1199SEIU-UHWE management of interrogation (including polling), as well as coercive statements (threats and promises of benefits).
The second charge, filed in mid May, accused 1199SEIU-UHWE of discharging a key union supporter.
Union management has also allegedly used former union executives to persuade employees against unionizing.
It should be noted that, were the union to lose the election, the charges filed against 1199SEIU-UHWE management could be used as objections to the election.
If the NLRB finds that 1199SEIU-UHWE management violated the law, under the NLRB’s new Cemex Bargaining Order Standard, the NLRB could issue a bargaining order against 1199SEIU-UHWE and require the union to bargain with its union staffers’ union.
1199 In House Staff Union Organizing Committee Statement
In a statement to LaborUnionNews.com, the 1199 In House Staff Union Organizing Committee stated:
1199SEIU-UHWE Management, in response to our organizing drive, implemented a punitive attendance policy targeting only us, In-House Staff, on May 31st that imposed new restrictions on our use of our Paid Time Off, which effectively take away what is left of our remote work days. Officers, including President George Gresham and his chosen secretaries, allow themselves to work remotely as they please.
Management imposed these new, punitive restrictions exactly two weeks before our NLRB mail ballot election vote count, scheduled for June 14th, as our coworkers are actively in the process of voting whether to form our staff union with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.
Management specifically did not apply these new, punitive restrictions to our coworkers who are not actively unionizing: officers or organizers.
The decision to target In-House Staff with this new, punitive policy change while we are actively unionizing came straight from the Executive Office, ruled by President George Gresham.
We therefore believe this act by 1199SEIU-UHWE Management is intended to have a cooling effect on our staff union election and overall organizing efforts, which is a violation of the law.
Despite 1199SEIU-UHWE Management's aggressive anti-union campaign, our coworkers feel strong, united, and ready to win our staff union on June 14th. When we win, we look forward to greater protection, inclusion in decision-making, and respect for ourselves: the employees devoted to upholding our mission and legacy as "the authentic conscience of the labor movement."
As noted above, the NLRB will be counting the ballots on June 14.
Related Posts:
Union-Busting Union Accused Of Firing Union Staffer Days Before Union Election
1199SEIU-UHWE Accused Of Unfair Labor Practices By Unionizing Staffers
Union Accused of Using "Union Busters" To Persuade Union Staffers Against Unionizing
Is Union Management Staying Neutral As 1199SEIU UHWE Union Staffers Unionize?
