Tainted Election at OLR

[Omaha Steve]

More info here: http://www.reformresurrection.org/

NURSES' ELECTION AT RESURRECTION HOSPITAL TAINTED BY ILLEGAL TACTICS

Nurses seeking to form a union with AFSCME Council 31 say a campaign of intimidation and other illegal interference by Resurrection Health Care management should invalidate a union representation vote held last week at Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center on Chicago’s Northwest Side.

AFSCME has filed objections to the conduct of the election as well as a number of unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board.

Resurrection management ran a systematic campaign of fear and intimidation. Nurses who supported the union were interrogated, coerced, threatened with loss of benefits, told the hospital would close, and otherwise illegally harassed and retaliated against.

Directed by high-paid “union-avoidance” consultants, RHC management fomented a climate of division, hatred and fear.

Despite Resurrection’s relentless barrage of anti-union tactics, nearly 40 percent of nurses casting ballots voted for union representation. Nurses at OLR had stepped up their efforts to form a union in response to cuts in staffing and other management decisions that compromised patient care. They have vowed to continue their efforts to improve patient care and win a voice for nurses through a union.
Resurrection and Provena Agree to Merge

On July 5, Resurrection Health Care and Provena Health announced that they had signed an agreement to merge the two systems, creating the largest Catholic health care network in the state.

Employees are concerned that the merger talks, which began in February, went on behind closed doors, with no opportunity for employee or community concerns to be heard. The merger announcement did not provide any information regarding employees’ job security.

The merger will require approval from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. Resurrection employees and their community supporters plan to scrutinize the merger proposal and provide state regulators with essential information regarding its impact on patients and hospital operations.