Nurses at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Madison filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The SEIU Wisconsin union filed these charges against their employer. They allege federal labor law violations. The union accuses SSM Health of failing to engage in legally required negotiations. It also alleges discrimination against nurses, citing barred union information, destroyed union materials, and threats of discipline for unionization efforts.
This action follows the NLRB's certification of a union election. Hundreds of nurses at the hospital voted by an 89% margin to unionize.
SSM Health states it is not violating federal labor law. It appealed the Regional Director's decision to the full NLRB. The organization believes collective bargaining should await the appeals' outcome.
In a separate announcement, SSM Health provided a $5,000 community benefit gift to Fondy CARES. Fondy CARES offers counseling services to students in the Fond du Lac School District.