Union: Nurse’s suspension may violate 1st Amendment

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.registercitizen.com/articles/2010/04/23/news/doc4bd11956b090c209101825.txt

Published: Friday, April 23, 2010

By DAN IVERS

WINSTED — The union representing a Laurel Hill Healthcare nurse who was suspended indefinitely after gathering with striking workers has filed a grievance on her behalf on the basis that her suspension may have violated her constitutional rights.

Marie Sepiol, who serves as Executive Secretary for the Conn. Health Care Associates Union and acting liaison to Laurel Hill, said the union is waiting to hear from Vernon-based Spectrum Healthcare to schedule a hearing.

Marilyn Dougherty was suspended from her post at Laurel Hill on Saturday after gathering with co-workers who belong to the New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199, during an off day on Friday.

Spectrum has contended that a stipulation in the bargaining agreement agreed to by Dougherty’s union prevents members from taking part in that kind of activity, which warranted the suspension.

Sepiol said that the union disagrees with that interpretation of the language Spectrum is citing, saying that it only prevents the nurse’s union itself from going on strike.

“We don’t agree with the language,” she said, adding that the right to assemble is included in the First Amendment, which should prevent Dougherty from being punished.

FULL story at link.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. First amendment only applies to the government, not private employers

Then again the people involved must know that, so I assume this is another example of media/press release idiocy.

There will need to be a ruling on the contract language, have to wonder how long that will take to get.