Yale-New Haven Hospital Workers on Their Way to Victory

by James Parks, Mar 27, 2006

The 1,800 workers at Yale-New Haven (Conn.) Hospital could soon have a union under a unique agreement reached March 23 between the hospital, Yale University and SEIU 1199, a member of the Greater New Haven Central Labor Council. SEIU 1199 signed an AFL-CIO Solidarity Charter and is working with AFL-CIO affiliates throughout Connecticut.

SEIU spokesman Bill Meyerson told the Yale Daily News the union has been helping the workers form a union for eight years and was very pleased with the agreement, which allows for a nine-month organizing campaign followed by a secret ballot election to be held within 12 months. Typically, secret ballot elections are less fair than majority sign-up because employers drag out the process and often intimidate or harass workers prior to elections.

“What we’ve got is an agreement with the hospital that will provide for a fair secret ballot election for the workers to choose,” he said. “That has been our goal all along, and we’re very pleased that we’ve come to this point.”

Both sides agreed to a code of conduct during the organizing drive. They also agreed to stop any worker harassment and disruption of hospital business. Both sides will use an independent arbitrator to resolve conflicts instead of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), whose proceedings can drag on for years.

The union and community groups had urged the city not to approve construction of a $430 million cancer center at the hospital until longstanding problems in the neighborhood, from traffic and parking to a shortage of affordable housing and well-paying jobs were addressed. The agreement calls for the university and hospital to invest in development of the community surrounding the hospital and to provide entry-level jobs for community residents.

Meyerson says New Haven Mayor John DeStefano played a critical role in bringing the hospital, union and community together.  
 

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