Last week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB – i.e., the federal government) reaffirmed its decision from 2024, and it’s what management has repeatedly refused to accept, that trauma and quality control Nurses are a part of our union and that the hospital has an obligation to negotiate over the terms and conditions of their employment (e.g., wages, benefits and working conditions) through the collective bargaining process.

In the summer of 2024, trauma and quality control Nurses unanimously agreed to join our union. Since June of 2024, those Nurses have been a part of our union and should have been part of negotiations (“our collective bargaining team”), but shortly after they joined RCH management went kicking and screaming to the NLRB to challenge the election.

Now, the NLRB is seeking an order stating that management has failed and refused to bargain collectively in good faith with the exclusive collective-bargaining representative of its employees, aka the union. They are setting a hearing date soon to get answers from your employer about why they have refused to recognize your status as a represented Union member with collective bargaining rights. However, this hearing does not change the fact that the NLRB has denied the employer’s challenge to your status and your right to collectively bargain.

That’s how much disdain management has for the collective power of nurses – refusing recognition and their obligation to bargain.

We’re counting on everyone to help fight for their rights to collectively bargain a fair contract during our upcoming bargaining sessions that begin in June.  We’ll keep you posted as details emerge.

In Unity,

Rosanna Mendez, Executive Director of SEIU 121RN.