The National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint and notice of hearing in relation to allegations filed by nurses at Upper Peninsula Health System-Marquette (Mich.) against the hospital.
Allegations made by the nurses, who are represented by the Michigan Nurses Association, suggest UPHS-Marquette violated federal labor law through various actions related to a two-day strike in October. The nurses said a hospital supervisor "impermissibly threatened employees with adverse consequences for engaging in strike activity." They also said an operating room director notified an employee her union activity negatively affected the hospital's assessment of the worker's job performance and was inconsistent with the hospital's "communication and conflict resolution standards."
Overall, the nurses alleged UPHS-Marquette, which is owned by Brentwood, Tenn.-based Duke LifePoint Healthcare, "interfer[ed] with, restraining and coercing employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed" under the National Labor Relations Act.
The nurses seek to have the hospital upgrade a November 2017 performance review for an employee, and remove language from the review regarding the employee's union activity.
The NLRB has scheduled a tentative hearing for July 24 to review the alleged unfair labor practices, according to union officials. The hearing date will be cancelled if both parties reach an agreement before that date.
Duke LifePoint said in a statement to Becker's Hospital Review it is aware of the NLRB's complaint and notice of hearing, as well as the MNA's allegations on behalf of nurses.
"We know that the MNA's portrayal of UPHS-Marquette is not a fair representation of the quality leadership and work taking place at the hospital," the statement reads. "We are confident that the hospital continues to bargain in good faith with the MNA to find the common ground necessary to negotiate a labor agreement that is acceptable to all parties and constituents."
Both sides have been negotiating a new contract for nearly one year. An extension of the current contract expired last July.
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