News from USW: Steelworkers Announce That Oroville Hospital Agrees to Settle Charges on Unfair Labor Practices

Business Wire, July 14, 2005

OROVILLE, Calif. -- News from USW: Oroville Hospital management has agreed to settle an unfair labor practice charge and is now required to post notices throughout the hospital pledging not to interfere with the rights of workers.

Six hundred-fifty employees at Oroville Hospital who elected to be represented by the United Steelworkers (USW) in August 2003 continue to work without a first contract. The union charged that hospital management promised raises to workers who withdraw support for the union, a violation of the National Labor Relations Act.

The "Notice to Employees" must be posted prominently at Oroville Hospital on orders of the NLRB's Region 20 office in San Francisco. The notice includes an affirmation by hospital management that it will not interfere with employees' rights "to organize; to form, join or assist any union; to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choice; to act together for mutual aid or protection..."

USW District 12 Director Terry Bonds said, "We hope that this agreement is an important step along the way to achieving a fair contract for Steelworker members employed by Oroville Hospital. A stable workforce working under fair terms and conditions will be best able to deliver high quality care to Oroville hospital patients."