Upstart Union for Calif. Health Workers Files Lawsuit Against SEIU
On Tuesday, leaders of the National Union of Healthcare Workers filed a lawsuit alleging that the Service Employees International Union used intimidation and other improper tactics during its efforts to represent health care workers in California, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Background
The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, is the latest battle in a two-year rivalry between SEIU and the breakaway NUHW.
Previous disputes have landed in courtrooms and before the National Labor Relations Board.
NUHW's Allegations
In the suit, NUHW claims that SEIU used physical intimidation, threats, racial epithets and other improper tactics against its opponents.
Sal Rosselli, president of NUHW, is the lead plaintiff in the case (McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 2/23). The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages.
SEIU Response
Current SEIU President Mary Kay Henry, former SEIU President Andy Stern and other SEIU officials are named as defendants in the case.
Steve Trossman, spokesperson for SEIU, dismissed NUHW's allegations as a "publicity stunt." He said, "This is just a random set of purported incidents that don't add up to anything."
Trossman added, "We in no way whatsoever condone any kind of intimidation or any other tactics" (Lee, San Francisco Chronicle, 2/23).
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