Judge rules that hospital interfered in union election

[Earth Bound Misfit]

My mom was hospitalized this week from Mon-Fri at Community Medical ctr. One of the nurses (Catherine Heuschkel) quoted in the story was my mom's nurse.

Source: Asbury Park Press

NLRB RULING IN TOMS RIVER
By LAUREN O. KIDD
TOMS RIVER BUREAU

Community Medical Center violated the National Labor Relations Act by interfering in a union recognition election held last year for the hospital's registered nurses, an administrative law judge has ruled.

In a 33-page decision, Judge Bruce D. Rosenstein of the National Labor Relations Board Division of Judges overturned the January 2007 election results and called for a new election.

"We welcome the order because it acknowledges that the medical center broke the law," Catherine Heuschkel, a registered nurse who works with cardiac patients at the hospital, said in a statement. "It's what we've known all along and waited 14 months to hear. The ruling will give us the ability to make a free choice."

Community Medical said it disagrees with the findings and will challenge them.

In the disputed election, nurses rejected the proposal to join the New York Nurses Association by a vote of 407 to 316. It was the second unsuccessful attempt by the hospital nurses to unionize.
snip

Hospital plans appeal

Community Medical Center intends to file exceptions to the decision with the NLRB, Mark D. Pilla, executive director of the hospital, said in a prepared statement.

"We believe our nurses made informed decisions in both elections," Pilla said, referring to the unsuccessful union elections held in 2005 and 2007. "We do not believe that the Medical Center engaged in conduct that was wrongful and affected the outcome of the election."

Full story: http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008803200540

[defendandprotect]

1. Again . . . the only way right-wing forces can succeed is by corrupt practices ---