December 4th, 2009
Los Angeles Times: Labor board OKs challenge to SEIU
The National Labor Relations Board calls for elections to determine which union will represent Kaiser workers in Southern California, the SEIU or challenger NUHW. SEIU plans to appeal the decision.
By Patrick J. McDonnell
A federal labor board decision this week has given a major victory to a breakaway union vying with the giant Service Employees International Union to represent tens of thousands of California healthcare workers.
On Tuesday, the National Labor Relations Board called for elections to determine who has the right to represent some 2,300 Kaiser healthcare workers employed at various sites in Southern California.
December 3rd, 2009
Sacramento Business Journal: NLRB gives huge victory to National Union of Healthcare Workers
A regional National Labor Relations Board ruled Monday that more than 2,300 Kaiser workers in Southern California can vote on whether they want to be represented by Service Employees International Union, a rival formed early this year — or neither of them.
The ruling in Region 21, which includes numerous Kaiser facilities in Los Angeles and San Diego, is a major coup for the National Union of Healthcare Workers. Formed in January after the international assumed trusteeship of SEIU local United Healthcare Workers West (UHW) amidst a political fight and charges of illegal activity, the new union angled for elections at Kaiser and other major health systems for 10 months.
December 2nd, 2009
NBC Los Angeles: Trouble in Paradise for SEIU
More than 2,300 Kaiser Permanente employees could say goodbye to Service Employees International Union in Southern California.
It’ll come down to a vote within the next 42 days thanks to a ruling from the National Labor Relations Board. Union members will decide whether or not to stay with SEIU or join the breakaway National Union of Healthcare Workers.
December 2nd, 2009
Los Angeles Daily News: Healthcare workers could join breakaway union
More than 2,300 Kaiser Permanente employees represented by Service Employees International Union in Southern California could vote in the coming weeks on a proposal to leave the union to join the breakaway National Union of Healthcare Workers.
The National Labor Relations Board ruled Tuesday that an election should be scheduled in 42 days, according to NUHW spokeswoman Sadie Crabtree.
December 2nd, 2009
San Francisco Business Times: NLRB decision could open door to new health care union
The National Labor Relations Board has rejected challenges to a proposed election that would let more than than 2,300 health care workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities in Southern California vote to either stay with the Service Employees International Union and or join a new rival.
Workers at dozens of Kaiser facilities will have the chance within 42 days to vote on which union they want to represent them in bargaining, the Oakland-based National Union of Healthcare Workers said Wednesday.
Kaiser is also based in Oakland.
According to NUHW, a majority of the Kaiser workers filed petitions to join NUHW in February, but SEIU delayed the election by filing “frivolous charges,” which were rejected Tuesday by an NLRB regional board in Southern California.