SHARON Union asks labor board to overturn vote

The hospital said the union's contentions are without merit.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- Service Employees International Union has asked the National Labor Relations Board to overturn the results of the Feb. 22 union certification election at Sharon Regional Health System.
The objections filed by SEIU Local 627 accuse the hospital and its representatives of misconduct before the election. The Local also asks that a new election be conducted.
Employees' vote: Skilled maintenance, nonprofessional and business office clerical employees rejected unionization 360-183.
The union said the hospital swayed the vote by giving everyone a 3 percent raise the week before the election and by creating an atmosphere of fear, intimidation and coercion by telling employees it would refuse to bargain with the union and that the workers would lose what they now have.
The hospital also misinformed three cafeteria workers about their voting eligibility, promoted at least one union supporter to a management position and offered new positions to two others, the union said.
"Sharon Regional will defend its employees' choice to remain union-free by all legal means," the hospital said in a prepared statement, calling the union contentions "false, without merit and improper."
"The overwhelming majority of Sharon Regional employees chose to reject union representation. Apparently, the union does not respect their decision. By filling these objections, the union is trying to represent Sharon Regional employees regardless of how they voted," the statement said.