Hartford HealthCare files charge against union workers

Michelle Warren, The Chronicle, Willimantic, Conn.
·2 min read

Oct. 4—WILLIMANTIC — As they address labor charges filed by the two Windham Community Memorial Hospital unions, Hartford HealthCare officials recently filed a charge against union workers with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

In their charge, Hartford HealthCare ( HHC) claimed that Windham Hospital colleagues recently complained to management about union officers threatening them with job loss and other consequences if they exercised their " legal right" to cross the picket line to care for patients during a union strike.

" It is unlawful for the union to threaten and coerce employees in this way and the hospital filed a very specific unfair labor practice charge against the union relating to this conduct," Windham Hospital President Donna Handley said in a statement.

In an e- mailed statement on Monday, AFT Connecticut Vice President John Brady, a nurse, said that claim doesn't have merit.

He said the claim was filed against Windham Community Memorial Hospital United Employees union, AFT Local 5099.

" This unsubstantiated claim is a way of diverting the public's attention away from the callus and reckless decisions being made by HHC," Brady said.

AFT Local 5099, the technical and support services staff union and the nurse's union, AFT Local 5041, have expressed concerns about negotiations, which have lasted for about 10 months.

The nurse's union held a two-day strike from Sept. 21 through Sept. 23 in connection with their contract, which has been under negotiation for 10 months.

During the strike, nurses expressed concern about mandatory overtime, wages and healthcare costs. Members of AFT Local 5099 supported the nurses during that strike.

Brady said AFT Local 5099 is committed to bargaining in " good faith," a claim also made by Donna Handley. According to Handley, Windham Hospital has received fewer complaints from colleagues since Hartford HealthCare officials filed the charge with NLRB.

However, Handley said in the statement that she believes it " is important that the NLRB investigate this conduct and require the union to comply with the law."

She said Hartford HealthCare is working with NLRB as they board reviews charges filed by the unions. The unions filed the following charges with NLRB: 1) The employer stopped dues deductions.

2) The employer made unilateral changes in working conditions that were not negotiated.

3) The employer used pressure tactics to intimidate workers into agreeing to their previous proposals.

4) Employer's regressive bargaining, or proposing retroactive wages and then withdrawing them.

5) Employer's refusal to allow union staff to meet with members.

Handley said Hartford HealthCare officials are " confident that the NLRB will find the charges to be without merit."

" It is not uncommon for a union to file multiple charges against an employer during difficult negotiations as a means of exerting pressure and creating negative publicity," she said.

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