Employees at Stanford, Packard Children’s Hosps Vote to Accept New Union Rep

[Earth Bound Misfit]

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080911006178&newsLang=en

STANFORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--By an 858 to 277 vote, employees at Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital have elected to be represented by the United Healthcare Workers West (UHW) union, hospital officials announced today.

Under National Labor Relations Board rules, the results will not be certified for seven days to allow for any possible challenge to the results.

These employees were formerly represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 715. Because the International Union directed the leadership of Local 715 to transfer employee representation to United Healthcare Workers without the employees’ consent, the Hospitals were forced to withdraw recognition of Local 715 effective July 28, 2008. The Hospitals advocated for a fair election so that employees had an opportunity to choose whether or not to be represented by a union.

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SEIU Local 715 had been representing approximately 1,450 housekeepers, food service workers, nursing assistants, phlebotomists, unit secretaries, transporters and employees working in non-technical and non-professional titles at the hospitals.

Greg Souza, vice president of human resources for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, added, “We are dedicated to promoting the best interests of our employees and our institutions as we both strive to continue to provide excellent care for our patients.”