Local 5149 of AFT Connecticut, the union that represents 350 registered nurses at The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, Conn., is facing charges of intimidation and threatening, according to The Day.
Here are six things to know about the charges.
1. The charges, filed Sept. 21, are being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board.
2. The charges allege nurses were "restrained and coerced" by the union to approve a new contract and suppress dissent, Michael Cass, director of the NLRB office in Hartford,
Conn., said, according to The Day.
3. Specifically, David Misiasuek, a registered nurse at Backus, alleges the union hurried a contract to undermine a decertification effort by nurses who were dissatisfied with the union. Earlier this year, Mr. Misiasuek, along with others, circulated a petition calling for a vote to decertify the union, according to the report. However, the petition was nullified after the union completed contract negotiations and brought a new agreement to a vote by members, Mr. Misiasuek told The Day.
4. Matt O'Connor, spokesman for AFT, did not comment on the charges, telling The Day, "It's too soon to comment publicly on an internal union matter." However, he did tell the publication a resolution to the case is being sought.
5. The hospital also did not comment on the charges, saying it does not get involved in internal union matters.
6. Mr. Cass expects the NLRB to conclude its investigation next month.
More articles on workforce and labor management:
Nashoba Valley Medical nurses claim work conditions put patients in danger: 7 things to know
NLRB alleges CHS violated employees' rights: 6 things to know
UnityPoint Health to hire 1,000+ clinical staff: 5 things to know