The National Relations Review Board has found merit in three complaints filed by the security officers union at Greenfield, Mass.-based Baystate Franklin Medical Center, according to The Recorder.
The newly formed union has accused the hospital of "unlawful interrogation, the discharge of three employees and the withholding of annual merit increase to represented employees."
NLRB's merit finding merely kicks off the investigation process. It does not indicate wrongdoing by Baystate Franklin, but it does indicate there is enough evidence to defend the union complaint before a federal judge, Scott Burson, deputy regional attorney of NLRB Region 1, told The Recorder. Baystate Franklin may now settle with the union around the end of 2017, or a hearing date will be set.
The complaint partially involves Baystate Franklin President Cindy Russo, who is resigning in January following nurse strikes this summer. Union members allege Ms. Russo was involved in retaliation against three security employees who were fired, although the hospital said the president's departure is not related to the NLRB merit finding, according to the report.
Hospital spokesperson Shelly Hazlett said of the merit finding: "As a first step to investigating complaints, the NLRB makes a preliminary determination based on information provided by the parties. Baystate Franklin Medical Center looks forward to a full administrative hearing and opportunity to present facts supporting our actions to safeguard employees from targeted unprofessional and disrespectful conduct by co-workers."