Labor Board Investigates Illegal Labor Practices at BMC

A national labor board says it has found evidence of illegal labor practices at Berkshire Medical Center.  A regional director from National Labor Relations Board has notified the hospital that their investigation has found merit behind allegations that BMC violated the National Labor Relations Act.

The board looked into three charges of unfair labor practices over the past year. Two charges that the hospital unlawfully threatened to interfere with nurses' benefits prior to the Massachusetts Nurses Associations vote for a one day strike, and one of failing to provide information on a health insurance program to nurses.

These claims stem from a July 13th letter sent by a human resources manager in relation to the proposed one-day strike which threatened to interfere with benefits received by the registered nurses. The letter warned that hospital contributions to health insurance benefits would stop for striking nurses.  In its complaint, the MNA claimed that the letter violated their right by nurses to vote to authorize a strike. The union claimed the hospital misrepresented the consequences of such a vote. The NLRB agreed that the letter violated the National Labor Relations Act

A spokesman for Berkshire Medical Center states the hospital arranged to continue its contributions during the strike, and that they told nurses there would be no interruption.  The cases will be assessed by an administrative court judge.