NLRB issues unfair labor practice charge against NY State Nurses Association

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued an unfair labor practice charge against the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) that is scheduled for a hearing Dec. 6 for unilateral changes made to conditions of employment of the association's professional staff employees in March 2010.

Unilateral changes in employment were made by NYSNA, affecting the normal workday and workweek, accrual of vacation time, reimbursement for business expenses, and salary.  

The NYSNA staff work throughout New York and New Jersey as union representatives and organizers for nearly 35,000 registered nurses and other health care professionals.  These employees had previously been represented by the national union of Unite-Here and were in the midst of organizing with the United Steelworkers (USW), when NYSNA implemented the employment changes.  NYSNA refused to recognize USW through a voluntary card check. Unite-Here forced them to an election.  The election results for the USW were 65 yes and 1 no.

The USW was certified by the NLRB in May 2010.  The parties have been in contract negotiations since August 2010.