RIVAL UNIONS ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO ORGANIZE
NURSES
On March 19, 2009 the Service Employees International Union
(“SEIU”) and the California Nurses Association/
National Nurses Organizing Committee (“CNA/NNOC”)
announced that they were ending their bitter rivalry. These
unions now will join forces to organize healthcare workers
and push for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act (“EFCA”).
The Union Merger
The SEIU and the CNA/NNOC have for the last several years
been enmeshed in a bitter rivalry to organize nurses on
behalf of their respective unions. As the New
York Times reported, each union has claimed misconduct
by the other, including charges by the SEIU that the CNA/NNOC
had sabotaged its campaign to organize 8,300 hospital workers
in Ohio, and by the CNA/NNOC that SEIU officials stalked
and harassed their leaders. The SEIU Statement
announcing the détente said: “Neither union
will interfere with the other's organizing campaigns or
internal affairs--and will collaborate on future organizing
in some of the nation’s largest hospital systems.”
Together, the two unions represent 150,000 members. The
two unions also intend to pool their resources to push for
the passage of the EFCA (about which we have written in
a prior
E-lert) and healthcare reform.
What the Merger Means For Healthcare
Institutions
Healthcare institutions, particularly hospitals, should
be prepared for increased organizing efforts, especially
in the RN ranks. Supervisors should be trained to recognize
the signs of union organizing. Healthcare employers should
use the pending EFCA legislation as an opportunity to educate
nonunion employees about the risks of signing union authorization
cards.
March 23, 2009
Shawe
Rosenthal, LLP provides this publication for informational
purposes, and it should not be construed or relied upon
as legal advice. You should contact your Shawe Rosenthal,
LLP lawyer to discuss any questions that you may have concerning
your own situation.
|
