Labor Board Sets Trial On Charges Fremont-Rideout Violated Federal Law, California Nurses Association

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 04 Jul 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The federal agency that oversees labor law has ordered Fremont-Rideout Health Group to stand trial on charges that it violated the federal rights of its registered nurses, enforced work rules in a discriminatory manner, and engaged in other serious violations of law.

An administrative law judge of the National Labor Relations Board will conduct the hearing, which is scheduled to begin on August 18 in Sacramento.

The charges against FRGH were brought by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee which represents the RNs.

CNA/NNOC contends that the hospital administration has been ignoring the nurses' serious patient care concerns and problems with retention of experienced RNs all while failing to bargain in good faith with the nurses.

"These serious charges, and the decision of the NLRB to bring them to trial, reflect what FRGH nurses experience regularly - a wanton disregard of our rights and discrimination against RNs who want to more effectively advocate for their patients and their colleagues," said FRHG RN Maureen Bartlett.

Among the many charges against FRHG, are allegations that it violated the law by:

- "Interfering with, restraining, and coercing employees in the exercise of their (union activity) rights" guaranteed by federal labor law

- Illegally forcing RNs to work during a strike last year, even if they were not scheduled to work on those days

- Unlawfully disciplining nurse leaders

- Engaging in illicit and unlawful spying of RNs in the hospital cafeteria

- Unlawfully interrogating RNs about union activity

- Barring dissemination of pro-CNA/NNOC information in the hospital while permitting the distribution of non-union materials

- Refusing to negotiate in good faith with CNA/NNOC

California Nurses Association

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