St. Vincent Labor Dispute

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By Sarah Gravlee

Story Published: Mar 9, 2010 at 7:26 PM MST

Story Updated: Mar 10, 2010 at 11:02 AM MST

BILLINGS - The National Labor Relations board files a complaint against St. Vincent Healthcare, saying the hospital violated federal labor laws by interfering with nurse's recent attempt to unionize.

In January, nurses at St. Vincent Healthcare held a vote to determine if they would unionize. In February, the votes were counted. The measure failed by 102 votes.

"I was surprised," said Amy Hauschild with the Montana Nurses Association. "We thought we had a lot more support."

Hauschild said nurses told her about certain practices that she believes may have swayed the vote.

"Their union literature was being removed from the employee lounges by management," Hauschild said. "On one particular occasion she went on to comment something to the effect, 'If you put this stuff up again you're going to be subject to disciplinary action.""

The Montana Nurses Association filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board saying these practices were against federal labor laws. The board investigated for four months and said they found enough evidence in the case to file a formal complaint against the hospital. A spokeswoman for St. Vincent Healthcare said they cannot comment on the case.

The complaint filed by the NLRB said the hospital specifically violated Section 8 of the National Labor Relations Act that reads an employer may not "interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees" from organizing or attempting to organize.

They said St. Vincent Healthcare can avoid entering a court room if they send an email to all employees stating they will not threaten to discipline workers for attempting to organize again. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for April 20th. The hospital has until that time to settle the case if they choose to.

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JN said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 2:16 PM

Too bad there's no real democracy in the workplace. Management gets to basically run the whole campaign, and keep the union locked out. These so-called "elections" are all a sham.

Anonymous said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 2:11 PM

Typical union tactics. They basically have the hands of the employer completely tied and still lose. Now they claim foul play. What would they say if they had won and the employees lost (since employees overwhelmingly didn't want it)??? The time for unions is long past lets get rid of them and the golden parachutes for worthless union thugs.

DPS said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 12:56 PM

To fedex "huh"? I don't need a bunch of union goons to protect me. I can do my own negotiating.

FedExit said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 10:43 AM

Quit hiring the lazy. Let unions protect worthwhile employees. DPS strikes me as on in need of protection!

DPS said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 6:45 AM

Just a bunch of sore losers. All unions do is protect the lazy.

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