NLRB backs union 750 registered nurses to join the 11,000-member HPAE

http://www.nj.com/news/sunbeam/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1...

NLRB backs union
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
By MATT DUNN
Staff Writer

VINELAND The stand-off between South Jersey Healthcare and the Health Professionals and Allied Employees union is over, and the union has won.

Union officials announced Tuesday the National Labor Relations Board has rejected SJH's appeal of a July 2006 union election, clearing the way for SJH's 750 registered nurses to join the 11,000-member HPAE.

Among those eligible to join the union are those SJH nurses at South Jersey Healthcare-Elmer Hospital in Elmer.

In the appeal, SJH accused HPAE of electioneering and other underhanded tactics to win the election, in which 303 nurses voted to join HPAE while 287 voted against it.

These alleged actions included pestering voters outside of polling places and putting unnecessary pressure on nurses opposed to unionization.

The NLRB unanimously rejected SJH's objections, according to an HPAE press release.

Although SJH could still appeal the NLRB's decision to the Superior Court, SJH Spokesman Greg Potter said Tuesday "it looks as though there won't be any further action.

FULL 2 page story at link.