NLRB backs claims of illegal firing by senior care home workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_17719910?nclick_check=1

By Angela Woodall
Oakland Tribune

Posted: 03/28/2011 03:50:12 PM PDT
Updated: 03/28/2011 08:28:24 PM PDT

OAKLAND -- Two Oakland senior care homes violated labor laws by firing striking employees and replacing them with nonunion workers, the National Labor Relations Board said in a complaint Thursday.

The NLRB alleged that the Piedmont Gardens senior care home acted illegally when administrators fired 38 caregivers after they went on strike last August.

The labor board set a hearing for May 24 when Piedmont Gardens and the workers' union, Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, will present their cases to an administrative labor law judge.

Piedmont Gardens, a multistory facility off Piedmont Avenue, includes assisted-living and skilled nursing care and is owned by Pleasanton-based American Baptist Homes of the West.

"We feel confident the administrative law judge will recognize our organization is acting within its rights to permanently replace 38 team members who walked off the job," said Jeff Glaze, Senior Vice President, Chief Operations Manager.

But the labor board backed the union's claims that the workers had a right to strike, and said the company should pay back wages. Piedmont Gardens will have to turn over financial records including payroll, social security payments, timecards and personnel.

FULL story at link.