Feds order union
election for L&M Medical Group workers
Ruling could affect worker rights at Westerly
Hospital outpatient facilities
 |
| L&M workers went through a bitter strike and lock-out a year ago to protect their right to organize (photo by Will Collette) |
By Matt O'Connor
New London - Nurses,
medical assistants, and healthcare workers at a Lawrence + Memorial Medical
Group (LMMG) outpatient facility are reacting to progress in their effort to unite
for a voice on the job. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regional
director on Monday issued a decision clearing the way for employees at the
Howard Street medical office building to vote to form a union.
The decision
followed an investigation by the federal employment agency that began when an
overwhelming majority of the facility's employees signed cards expressing their
desire to join AFT Connecticut.
Lavoie's
comments refer to the NLRB's finding that the 70 nurses and healthcare workers
at the Howard Street facility "constitute an appropriate unit" and
directing a union election among the employees. The workers initially sought to
join with their colleagues in one of three local AFT Connecticut-affiliated
unions representing caregivers at the Lawrence + Memorial (L+M) Hospital main
campus.
A vote on forming a "stand-alone unit" of Licensed Practical
Nurses (LPN), patient coordinators, surgical schedulers, patient care
navigators, and medical assistants is expected between October 31 and November
7.
"I
am so proud of these hardworking nurses, techs and healthcare workers who said
'no' to the hospital bullies," said Melodie Peters, president of AFT
Connecticut and former state senator from the region. "We know from years
of experience representing Lawrence + Memorial's other caregivers that a voice
on the job reduces employee turn-over and increases the quality of care. That's
why the union difference will be good for the whole community that relies on
LMMG for outpatient services," said Peters.
Peters'
comments refer to Lawrence + Memorial Corporation (LMC), the parent corporation
that operates LMMG, in addition to L+M Hospital and the Visiting Nurses
Association of Southeastern Connecticut (VNASC). The nurses and home health
aides who serve patients of the VNASC are also represented by AFT Connecticut
and this week reached tentative agreement on new contracts following joint
negotiations.
"For
the first time, we sat side-by-side with visiting nurses in negotiations with
our employer," said Christine Moretti a home health aide with 10 years of
patient care experience with the Southeastern VNA. "Forming our
union of aides last year was the best decision we ever made. And by joining
with our colleagues for negotiations this year, we won a strong first contract
with fair wages and lower health insurance costs. I feel like I have a whole
new job," said Moretti.
Despite
a settlement agreement reached in February with leaders of two L+M Hospital
unions, LMC fought organizing efforts by the LMMG Howard Street facility
employees. The estimated legal costs to the non-profit corporation of its
protracted fight at the NLRB are in excess of $100,000.00. These are in
addition to more than $17 million LMC spent last winter for illegally
locking-out nurses and techs at L+M and their resulting back wages.