Labor Board sanctions Holy Cross Hospital for multiple violations of nurses’ rights

In a sweeping decision issued last Friday, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ordered Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD to “cease and desist” a broad range of attacks on the nurses’ rights to discuss and seek union representation. Administrative Law Judge Michael Rosas ruled that the hospital “engaged in at least eight instances of unlawful threats, coercion, and interrogation in violation” of federal law. The hospital was also found to have maintained illegal policies prohibiting nurses from discussing union representation. “We’re thrilled with this ruling,” said Nina Scott, an intensive care unit RN at Holy Cross. “It proves that Holy Cross Hospital management interfered with our right to advocate for patient safety. Now we can move forward to organize without fear and freely talk with nurses.” This was not the first time Holy Cross has violated basic rights for RNs. Last month, the hospital had to return to work, with full back pay and accrued time off, an oncology RN who was illegally fired in April for patient advocacy and support of the union campaign by the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United.

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