The New York State Nurses Association, which represents workers at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, N.Y., said it has filed several federal charges after the hospital last week locked out unionized nurses who went on strike, according to a report from The Leader Herald.
Here are four things to know about the charges.
1. The New York State Nurses Association filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board Jan. 7 after nurses were denied entry to go to work after the nurses' one-day strike ended, said Tara Martin, a spokeswoman for the union, according to the report. Nurses were locked out until at least 7 a.m. Jan. 11.
2. The charges are related to the lockout and alleged refusal to bargain, among other issues, according to Ms. Martin. Ms. Martin contends the nurses were legally entitled to go back to work, as the union filed a 10-day notice of the 24-hour strike, according to the report.
3. In the meantime, the hospital said it followed the protocols it had informed the striking nurses about prior to the walk-out, according to The Leader Herald. According to the report, the hospital said in a statement the union and nurses were told prior to the strike the hospital would lock out striking employees for at least four days after the strike was over. The hospital hired replacement nurses to work during the lockout period.
4. The charges come amid a two-year contract dispute between the union and hospital management. According to the report, the hospital and union disagree on numerous issues such as pensions, time off, staffing levels and health insurance cost contributions.