The National Labor Relations Board will prosecute Gloversville, N.Y.-based Nathan Littauer Hospital over its decision to lock out nurses for four days, according to a Times Union report.
The lockout lacked any business justification and was to retaliate against registered nurses who held a one-day strike at the hospital in January, the NLRB said, according to the report.
The NLRB's decision means the lockout will be added to the agenda of an April 18 hearing before the board, the report states. Hospital officials' decision to deny a new position to an active member of the New York State Nurses Association will also be considered at that time.
Nathan Littauer spokeswoman Cheryl McGrattan noted the lockout matter is civil, not criminal, and there has been no final ruling from the NLRB, according to the report.
"Nathan Littauer acted lawfully in imposing the lockout and is confident the judge will agree," Ms. McGrattan told the Times Union.
The New York State Nurses Association, which represents nurses at Nathan Littauer, applauded the NLRB's decision to prosecute. "We believe Nathan Littauer Hospital broke the law when they locked out hardworking nurses, and when they brought in outside replacements to care for our neighbors during the lockout," Marion Enright, the nurse allegedly denied a new job because of her union activity, said, according to the report.
The hospital has until April 7 to file an answer to the NLRB's complaint in regard to the lockout issue, as well as the issue involving Ms. Enright.
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