Pyle Rome Client 1199SEIU Wins Local Election Under Revised NLRB Election Rules

In one of the first local elections held under the NLRB’s new rules, about 30 in-patient physical therapists at Boston Medical Center voted overwhelmingly to join 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and an existing unit of more than 1,500 BMC health care employees. Attorney David Rome helped Massachusetts chapter of 1199SEIU navigate the new NLRB procedures.

Recently, the National Labor Relations Board implemented new rules that results in substantially faster elections. The new rules limit the ability of employers to delay elections by raising arguments about, for instance, the "appropriateness" of the Union's requested bargaining unit. 1199SEIU filed the first petition under the new rules, which became effective in April.

The Boston office of the NLRB ordered that an election occur by both manual and mail ballots.

In a failed effort to defeat the organizing drive, Boston Medical Center held multiple captive audience meetings that regurgitated the cliche that unrepresented employees did not need a union to stand between them and management. This tired rhetoric was used even though the strong presence of 1199SEIU has powerfully demonstrated the powerful gains realized through collective action. The Hospital's anti-union strategy clearly backfired. The strong result bodes well for future petitions seeking to strengthen the Union’s position at Boston Medical Center.