Labor Board Could Call New Union Election for 43,500 Kaiser Workers
A second union election could be scheduled in a renewed battle to represent about 43,500 Kaiser Permanente employees, the Contra Costa Times reports (Kleffman, Contra Costa Times, 7/18).
Background
In October 2010, the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West defeated the National Union of Healthcare Workers in an 18,290 to 11,364 vote during an election to represent the Kaiser workers (Rauber, San Francisco Business Times, 7/18).
NUHW then challenged the outcome of the election.
Possible Second Election
Administrative Law Judge Lana Parke recently ruled that two actions provide the basis for recommending a new election. The two actions are:
- Kaiser's decision to deny pay raises to some NUHW members in April 2010; and
- SEIU-UHW's alleged warning that some Northern California Kaiser workers also could miss out on pay raises if they switched to NUHW.
SEIU can appeal the judge's recommendation until July 28, at which point the National Labor Relations Board will decide whether to call a second election (Contra Costa Times, 7/18).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.