Comments on: Union Election Cancelled As CNA Says SEIU Excluded Nurses In Ohio Deal - 03/12/08

By: seiu-staffer

seiu-staffer — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:51:57 +0000

CNA is moving an union busting campaign against SEIU… again.

As SEIU staff, I was an on-the-ground organizer when they pulled the same stunt in California in 2003. CNA sits back and watches while hospital workers build enough power to win free and fair elections against some of the toughest and militantly anti-union employers in the country. Then, just as an election approaches, CNA intervenes, accuses SEIU of “back room” claptrap, and delays the election until they get their way.

Instead of spending members resources on a real organizing plan, they just follow real unions and try to capitalize on their work. Its disgraceful, unethical, and is benefiting only one group: bosses.
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By: phgov

phgov — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 05:51:54 +0000

Its ironic to see CNA steal a page from the Wal-Mart union-busting hand book and then claim to protect union democracy. In fact CNA’s campaign to disrupt this organizing drive is more about CNA competing at all costs with SEIU for members. Basically, CNA would rather have these workers not join any union, and in many cases continue to work in poverty with out health insurance, than join a union other than CNA.

The idea that this campaign was a backroom deal is inaccurate. Thousands of workers in these hospitals were involved in SEIU’s attempt to organize these hospitals and overcome. They wrote letters to management, leafletted outside of the hospitals and in their community, and attending rallies in support of unionization. These workers were part of a larger community coalition that involved civil rights, religous, and progressive political leaders.

Management initially resisted SEIU’s organizing efforts, firing leaders of the campaign, hiring anti-union consultants, etc before eventually agreeing to holding an election without intimidating pro-union employees.

Its a shame that CNA would seek to undermine progressive movements such as this.
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By: Maliss Higgins

Maliss Higgins — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:29:33 +0000

Let’s be clear – the California Nurses Association does not represent a single worker in Ohio.

SEIU spent the last three years working with nurses and other hospital staff, helping them form their union. The workers wrote letters to hospital administrators, signed petitions, knocked on doors and busted their asses to win the chance to have an election. CNA came in 6 days before the NRLB-supported secret ballot election, and tore it apart with dirty, underhanded tactics.

Showing up a week before the elections did not entitle CNA to be on the ballot. They would have needed just one card to appear on the ballot but failed to produce one. They chose instead to mislead nurses into thinking that a “no” vote would automatically result in a “yes” vote for the CNA.

CNA is lying. Talk to the actual nurses in Ohio.
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