Unions clash in attempt to woo hospital workers

Two of the nation’s largest labor unions are clashing – in one incident, physically – as part of efforts to woo new members at health care institutions and increase each group’s political clout and income.

The New York Times reported that a scuffle occurred at a Detroit labor conference April 12 between members of the California Nurses Association (CNA) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Each side has accused the other of orchestrating the confrontation.

Subsequently, a California Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order on April 16 against SEIU and its national president, Andy Stern, to cease stalking and harassing CNA and its leadership. The order was later lifted by an Alameda County Superior Court commissioner.

Both SEIU and CNA are attempting to organize employees at Community Medical Centers.

Both unions have received increased media attention for public battles with one another to win representation at hospitals in Ohio, Nevada and elsewhere.

In addition to its current rivalry with CNA, SEIU is facing internal leadership battles and financial challenges.

The Las Vegas Sun and other media are reporting that union president Stern is attempting to oust Sal Rosselli, leader of the union’s West Coast affiliate, United Healthcare Workers-SEIU. Each accuses the other of misconduct. The dispute may come to a head at SEIU’s June convention in Puerto Rico.

In March, a federal judge ruled that SEIU must repay nearly $3 million to as many as 28,000 non-union California state workers who were not allowed to challenge a dues increase used to fight ballot measures favored by Gov. Schwarzenegger.

The Sacramento Bee reported that one of the ballot measures would have required public employee unions to get written permission from members to allow use of their dues for political purposes.

This story was reported by John Taylor. He can be reached at jtaylor@communitymedical.org.

For more information:
Wall Street Journal: In Ohio Drive, Big Labor Shows Its Fissures

New York Times: Conflict Between 2 Unions Intensifies

Los Angeles Times: Battle of the nurses unions turns physical

San Francisco Chronicle: Injunction lifted in nurses' dispute with SEIU

Sacramento Bee: Spat between unions seen as threat to election-year power
 
Las Vegas Sun: Union woes amid rift

San Francisco Chronicle: Union head moves to oust West Coast dissident

San Francisco Business Times: Feud could see union chief Rosselli gone within weeks

Sacramento Bee: Judge orders rebate for non-union state workers

Thursday, April 24, 2008