National Nurses United is making a number of allegations against University of Chicago Medicine, according to a Chicago Tribune report.
The union, which filed the allegations with the National Labor Relations Board earlier this month, claims the hospital is assigning nonunionized supervisors to take over duties of nurses who are in charge of units, according to the report. The union also claims the hospital is not bargaining in good faith, and that hospital security is following nurses who are part of the negotiating team and restricting them from parts of the hospital to prevent them from having discussions with other nurses, the report reads.
"We call that surveillance," Jan Rodolfo, Midwest director of National Nurses United, told the Chicago Tribune. "We feel like we are reaching a strike point."
In a statement, University of Chicago Medicine said it has been negotiating with National Nurses United in good faith since August 2014. However, the hospital claims the union hasn't put forth any meaningful action or compromises.
Additionally, the hospital said, the union has filed similar unfair labor practice charges against the hospital in the past, including during the last negotiations and during the term of the most recent contract. But University of Chicago Medicine said none have been found by the NLRB to have merit. In this case, the hospital said it is confident that the board again will find the new charge meritless after a full investigation.
More articles on workforce:
Physicians at U of California health centers begin walkout
Pennsylvania hospitals report job losses in 2015
New Mexico governor signs bill to help increase the number of nursing instructors