Union Settles Defamation Lawsuit With Sutter Health
UNITE HERE, a union representing hospital housekeepers, has agreed to pay Sutter Health $6 million and apologize for making allegations about the cleanliness of the health system's maternity wards. The settlement closes a six-year legal dispute in which Sutter Health sued the labor union for defamation for sending disparaging postcards to potential patients. A Placer Superior Court jury sided with the health system in 2006, but an appeals court overturned the verdict based on improper jury instructions. A mediation period brought about the final settlement.
- "Sutter Gains $6 Million and Apology From Union" (Glover, Sacramento Bee, 7/6).
- "Labor Union To Pay Sutter $6M in Defamation Settlement" (Robertson, Sacramento Business Journal, 7/5).
- "Union Settles With Sutter Over Smear Campaign" (Vesely, Modern Healthcare, 7/5).