The National Labor Relations Board has found merit in allegations by two nurses who claim Pasadena, Calif.-based Huntington Hospital let them go for their unionization efforts, the independent federal agency said, according to a San Gabriel Valley Tribune report.
Here are five things to know about the issue.
1. The nurses, who were fired in early August, allege coercive actions, unfair termination and retaliation.
2. The labor board found merit in the nurses' allegations but has not filed a formal complaint yet, agency spokeswoman Jessica Kahanek told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. She added that settlement discussions are still being pursued.
3. In a statement, Derek Clark, spokesman for Huntington Hospital, said the hospital awaits a favorable resolution and that officials stand by their decision, according to the report. "We strongly believe these charges are without merit and look forward to resolving them through the NLRB process," he added.
4. The two nurses, Allysha Almada and Vicki Lin, are seeking reinstatement with backpay for the months they spent without work. "The whole point is that Huntington should not have fired us to begin with; we were unjustly fired," Ms. Almada said, according to the report. "They wanted to chill the nurses' efforts to organize."
5. According to the report, Huntington Hospital must reach an agreement with Ms. Almada and Ms. Lin or take the case before an administrative law judge.
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