October 13, 2014
By Neal Tepel
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a complaint against Alaris Health. The NLRB alleges that the company violated federal labor law during contract negotiations with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. The expected trial date is November 18.
The Labor Board alleges that Alaris Health management illegally threatened, harassed, and intimidated employees. Workers were told they would be termination if they went on strike. The NLRB also alleges that Alaris “has been interfering with, restraining, and coercing employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section 7 of the [National Labor Relations] Act.” In addition the company “failed and refused to bargain with the Union’s chosen collective-bargaining committee.”
Hundreds of 1199SEIU members rallied in Union City, NJ on Tuesday to support 450 workers at Alaris Health in their quest for a contract. Only this time, 1199SEIU members were also demanding that Alaris let two dozen workers that the company has illegally locked out of their jobs come back to work.
“The NLRB’s complaint is more evidence that Alaris Health has little regard for the rights of their hardworking employees,” said Milly Silva, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU. “By obstructing caregivers’ legally-protected right to bargain over their working conditions, Alaris is not only jeopardizing workers’ livelihoods, but also the wellbeing of their patients who rely on the care of stable and experienced caregivers.”
