Union says company is trying to disqualify nurses from joining

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nj.com/southjersey/index.ssf/2007/08/from_staff_reports_vineland.html

by South Jersey News Online
Wednesday August 29, 2007, 5:55 PM

From staff reports

VINELAND -- A union representing the registered nurses at South Jersey Healthcare-Regional Medical Center is accusing the company of attempting to disqualify nurses from the union.

Fames R. Costello, an attorney representing South Jersey Healthcare, submitted a "unit clarification petition" to the National Labor Relations Board on Aug. 23, according to a letter forwarded to the local media Thursday by Health Professionals Allied Employees.

The union stated in a press release that the petition is an attempt "to eliminate an unspecified, but potentially sizeable number of nurses from the union."

According to the union, South Jersey Healthcare is claiming that resource nurses -- who delegate patient care assignments to other staff members -- are supervisors and ineligible for union membership.

Their claim is based on a National Labor Relations Board decision made after a 2006 election in which the 800 registered nurses of South Jersey Healthcare voted to join Health Professionals Allied Employees.

The union is currently in contract negotiations with South Jersey Healthcare.

A spokesperson for South Jersey Healthcare was not immediately available for comment.