Walker Methodist nursing home workers win NLRB decision

Workers at the nursing home voted to join AFSCME Council 5 on May 30, 2003. But certification of their union hinged on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruling on a disputed second vote to organize. Nursing home administrators said that licensed practical nurses were “supervisory staff” and shouldn’t have been included in the vote, arguing that they may have used their supervisory position to unduly influence workers under them to support the union vote.

The NLRB remanded its decision back to the Regional NLRB. The Regional NLRB decided, in agreement with AFSCME, that LPNs are not supervisors because they do not have the power to hire and fire employees. This decision validates the 2003 vote by Walker Methodist Health Center employees to unionize.

Methodists are expressing optimism that the employer will negotiate in good faith with employees to ensure justice for workers and quality care for residents of the nursing home.

"The United Methodist Church has affirmed the workers\’ right to organize for decent wages, benefits and working conditions," said Joe Hesla of Walker United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. "We\’ve prayed for a swift resolution between management and workers to ensure quality care for residents at Walker Methodist. Our ministry can\’t be at peace until this happens. This decision gives us great hope, especially in light of the pledge that management publicly gave to Minnesota Methodists in 2004 to abide by the Labor Relations Board decisions."

online pharmacy purchase atarax online no prescription
online pharmacy buy zovirax without prescription with best prices today in the USA

Walker Community United Methodist Church shares both a name and number of historical and community connections with Walker Methodist Health Center.

online pharmacy wellbutrin online with best prices today in the USA

Since the union vote, workers have sought to build support within the Methodist church and to put pressure on nursing home management to honor the social principles of the United Methodist Church. In 2004, More than 1,000 members of the clergy and laity attending the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church endorsed the right of workers to form a union at Walker Methodist.

"Nursing home workers deserve quality compensation because they give dignity and quality care to our most vulnerable elders," said Eliot Seide, director of AFSCME Council 5. "We appreciate the support of the United Methodist Church and look forward to negotiating our first contract with Walker Methodist."

Comments are closed.