Workers from Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin met Thursday with UFCW union representative Jennifer Swanson.

Saturday, September 02, 2000

Workers from Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin met Thursday with UFCW union representative Jennifer Swanson.

The workers and Swanson held the meeting after Sacred Heart Care Center required all employees to attend a meeting of its own.

In a press release issued Saturday by employees and Swanson, the employer’s meeting was described as an attempt to alleviate concerns of workers.

The employer addressed the issues of seniority rights, job security and wages and benefits.

However, the workers’ and Swanson’s response was to announce it is considering filing unfair labor practice charges against Sacred Heart Care Center.

According to the workers and Swanson, "The company incorrectly told employees that if they went union, they would have to pay legal fees.

"This is a blatant falsehood. In fact, one of the benefits of being a union member is that you do not have to pay any legal fees," the press release stated.

"The company said wages would be frozen for the workers who are organizing, but would be given to the nurses who were not. The company stated that this was ‘status quo’ during a union organizing campaign," it read.

According to Swanson, "The union is considering filing unfair labor practice charges against the company on this issue.

"The union spoke to Department of Human Services auditors and appeals representatives Friday and learned that Sacred Heart has not submitted a salary plan to the state as required by law to receive the Legislative increases," Swanson said. "The fact that no additional money has been sent to the facility yet makes the raises given the nurses look suspicious."

Swanson, who agreed to assist the Sacred Heart workers at their request, said the "most false allegation" made by Sacred Heart Care Center is the "noting that being union would reduce their loyalty to Sacred Heart."

"It is because of their loyalty to the residents they care for and their desire to preserve the highest possible standards of quality care that the workers seek to form a union," Swanson said.

According to workers who asked to remain anonymous, there have been "positive" measures taken since the employees announced plans to form a union. These include more willingness by administrator to listen to employees’ concerns, scheduling issues are being addressed and management’s statement that Sacred Heart employees will see positive changes in the next few weeks.

Sacred Heart Care Center administrator Becky Halverson was unavailable for comment when this story was written Saturday.

St. Mark’s Lutheran Home LPNs are slated to vote on union representation this week after the National Labor Relations Board approved an election based on a petition submitted by workers.