SEIU Protests Hospital for Defending Employees’ Freedom
by Liberty ChickIt’s one of the most beautiful times of the year in the lovely Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, when the trees are gorgeous hues of crimson and gold, and the sweet smell of hot apple cider is in the brisk autumn air. As you walk in and out of little village colonials and saltbox houses donning fall mums and pumpkins on their porches, you’re hit with that waft of burning fireplace aroma – the sort of scene that gives you that comfy feeling of peace and contentment.
But turn the corner and that picturesque scene is disrupted by a tiny sea of purple t-shirts and angry faces. Yep, you got it – it’s the SEIU! And they’re not in the holiday spirit, apparently.
Pocono Medical Center, a mid-sized, not-for-profit community hospital nestled in the Pocono Mountains near East Stroudsburg University, has been in SEIU’s crosshairs for months. The union has been demanding a closed shop at the hospital, despite the desires of other workers, and has since made it the crux of its contract negotiations. They were out protesting last week, making their demands known. (Not many from Pocono Medical Center participated in the protest, so they resorted to recruiting some nearby friends to join them).
For those not familiar with what a “closed shop” is in union terms, this means that all of those employees would be required to be a member of the union and to pay union dues as a condition of employment.
But Pocono Medical Center isn’t caving in to the SEIU, which represents 560 non-professional service and maintenance workers, such as technicians, administrative workers, hospital cafeteria workers, janitors, and housekeepers at the facility. The hospital, which employs about 1,850 in total, has had a closed shop for its service workers for the last three years, the result of an initial vote that barely squeaked through, according to employee accounts. Three years later, a closed shop just isn’t working for their employees anymore. Some workers at Pocono Medical Center are unhappy with the SEIU and want the ability to opt out if they so choose.
From WBRE:
“We happen to have good managers, good supervisors and we don’t feel we need a union to represent us. That’s what national labor laws are for,” said Sally Schermerhorn, a phlebotomist at Pocono Medical Center.
From the Pocono Record:
“They negotiated the contract and told us they could get certain things, but we didn’t get them — raises and bonuses, better health care — none of that ever happened,” dietary worker Steven VonCrep said. “It’s a matter of free choice, our freedom to choose to belong to the union or not.”
Earlier this year, in June, hospital employees filed a petition on their own accord to de-authorize the union, removing SEIU’s provision that requires employees to pay dues or lose their jobs. This of course prompted intervention from union organizers and even a complaint to the National Labor Relations Board, a typical tactic of SEIU to stall a de-certification/de-authorization effort. Union organizers began speaking to workers while other employees were in the cafeteria on their lunch breaks. (Keep in mind, many of the union’s employees at this facility are themselves cafeteria workers). A December 13th hearing is scheduled with an administrative judge in Philadelphia to hear the case.
From the Pocono Record:
In a statement, PMC wrote: “The hospital’s actions with the outside, paid union organizers were only intended to protect our employees from the union representatives, who have complained that they are being harassed during their lunch breaks or when they attempted to report for work or leave for home.”
PMC suggested the complaint was part of a strategy to stop a vote by employees to have an open union shop. That’s where employees aren’t required to join the union or pay dues.
The December hearing is more like a full-blown trial, with documentary evidence and witnesses giving testimony.
“The hospital looks forward to its day in court,” PMC stated. “We are confident that when all witnesses are presented and legal arguments are made, the ALJ (judge) will agree that the hospital has not violated the law in any way.”
Instead of agreeing to a closed shop, the hospital has offered to accommodate an “open shop”, in which employees could make their own choice, and would not be required to pay union dues as a condition of employment. The hospital knows that offering a choice to its employees will not only keep their workforce motivated, it’s the right thing to do. Management has said that they are willing to offer raises and additional benefits, but they’ve insisted that the closed shop must go. An open shop, in their view, is a fair compromise.
In addition to the compromise of an open shop, Pocono Medical Center has also proposed the following terms in a new 3-year contract with the SEIU:
- free health care at Pocono Medical Center
- 90 % of workers’ health insurance premiums paid
- $250 annual credit for those participating in a wellness program
- 3 % wage increase annually
- $9.50-per-hour minimum pay rate, to increase to over $10 per hour
- benefit pension plan fully paid by PMC
- plus other “current differentials,” which are paid in addition to base pay
The SEIU says that’s nice, but it’s not good enough. They refuse to negotiate without the hospital’s agreement to renew a closed shop.
How does the SEIU justify such demands? Well aside from their usual backwards rhetoric that if you force employees to pay dues, it makes the union stronger and therefore means job security, the SEIU insists that the hospital owes it to the union – because it’s wealthy.
Not so, says Pocono Medical Center. According to the Pocono Record,
The hospital rejected the union’s claim that its financial performance indicated prosperity for the institution.
“For the second year in a row, many hospitals struggled to maintain a positive bottom line due to tough economic conditions felt throughout the nation,” Roche said. “Last year, most hospitals did not give annual increases and even held layoffs and froze vacant positions.”
Pocono Health System earned $17 million in excess revenue over expenses this past fiscal year, ending June 30, 2010, the hospital said.
But as a nonprofit organization, that money must be re-invested into the medical center. The money is used to buy new medical equipment, create information systems and pay off loans for new buildings. That debt stands at $107.5 million.
So far, Pocono Medical Center is holding up against the SEIU propaganda machine, and they are protecting their employees’ wishes to choose whether or not to join the union. The hospital says it will continue to try and negotiate with the SEIU. Until then, it looks as though the area can expect to keep seeing a lot of purple mucking up that beautiful autumn landscape.
By the way, if you’re a union member who is unhappy with the actions of your union, there is plenty that you can do – start by reading this post. Take it from two of us who know. I used to be a closed shop union member of the Communication Workers of America (CWA) for several years and tried desperately to escape the grips of the AFL-CIO member union, until I was rescued by some clever folks. And Peter List, the author of the recommended post and proprietor of LaborUnionReport, has been involved in labor relations for more than 25 years and spent eight years in the labor movement as a kneecap breaker young activist. Thankfully, he’s come over to the light, away from the dark side.
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Got a Tip?
168 Comments
Off topic, and I apologize in advance to the author, but Allan West is making his debut appearance on "Meet The Distressed" this morning.
On topic.
Why do those people always look so angry?
I'm 6'1", 200 pounds, and they scare even me…..
Good for the Pocono Medical Center employees ! Thats the first step in getting rid of SEIU.
Good luck with the upcoming trial !
Its because of the 20% insanity rule….All the Dems are nuts.
Once again, a picture is worth a thousand words. On the right, we see the expression of feigned outrage paid for from SEIU's coffers. On the left, we see the face of sincere hate and rage of the "true believer". The contrast is as stark as black and white. Coincidence?
All Unions should be investigated under RICO.
The SEIU represents city employees in Elgin Illinois. Only the Police and Fire have separate unions.
The Code Enforcement officers are livid at the politics of the SEIU, but they can't get out from under their representation.
If you want to watch them explode, just mention the ACORN/SEIU political machine they were paying for all these years.
Just one more reason I love living in Florida… We can tell unions to piss off in our state!
these nasty people has to be shipped in to screw the workers at the Pocono Medical Center , i couldn't sleep knowing i did this to others. how do they live with themselves.
It sounds as if the good employees of the PMC have decided is better to have a job, than it is to have a union card.
Does the so-called laws that allow for closed shops to operate violate our constitutional right of assembly? I mean don't the people at the hospital have the right not to associate themselves with the Union. I also believe that Unions have corrupted the Common Law practice of individual contract rights? Unions are bad, and I hope that they fail in their quest to impose a overpriced, unqualified, and lazy people to take over this Catholic hospital. I seen it done in NYC. SEIU infiltrated all the Catholic Hospitals, who used to take care of the poor and gave excellent care because of their religious devotion, and turned those hospitals into cesspools and they went out of buisness. So now in NYC, there is the Public Hospitals (which are something out of the 3rd World) or the Elite Hospitals for our dear progressive/socialist elites of NYC.
Come on now…. the thugs want their money…. they have to force/intimidate companies to "close the shop", so they can get it….
Just wondering when the violence will start….
If only we had an American leader (one with a presidential bully pulpit) that gave speeches encouraging unhappy union members to pursue de-authorization votes in all of their shops. This could become a national trend.
Man I say again. Marxist woman are so damn ugly. Just looking in the mirror has to piss them off.
This is still more evidence of what happens when the criminally insane lead the mentally ill.
People who have no clue what they are protesting against should not protest, the should check in to an inpatient treatment program to get the help and medication they need.
It seems as though folks are waking up to the fact that their very job depends on the whim of a socialist union. It won't be easy as these unions will engage in violence, to protect their ill gotten gains.
Rank and file members have absolutley no say in anything as this RICO organization, organizing under the socialist banner, bullies it's way into the workforce.
Broken campaign promises to union membership is the hallmark of unions. Once they rig the election and get in you are a card carrying socialist like it or not.
I hope it works out for these folks who want to opt out. Notice that SIEU demands all of the pie.
or the dodo bird…lol
"Just wondering when the violence will start…"
Probably about they same day they "unionize" the TSA.
Your comment just gave me a different vision for seeing America; it's "leadership" and people, in 2010.
So many people take their cues from "1984." I now see our situation as "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."
"evidence of what happens when the criminally insane lead the mentally ill."
Membership in a union should NEVER EVER be a condition of employment.
When did we all accept the notion that workers have the right to higher wages if they work for someone or some institution that's "wealthy"? Therein lies the problem. Redistribution of wealth is wrong and that information better get out there to the great unwashed ASAP.
Again off topic, but I see the iconic anchorman of CBS, Dan Rather, is appearing on NBC's "Chris Matthews Show." Ah, to be starved for attention……………..!.
SEIU is EVIL and needs to be REJECTED by every employee who pays dues to them. Unions had their place at one time. The idea of giving employees a CHOICE is fair but SEIU wants to OWN EVERY SERVICE EMPLOYEE. They are the exact thing that unions were formed to protect workers from in the first place! I'm for localized worker unions – only at one workplace – if the employees think they need it. This would decentralize the power of Unions which they are ABUSING. There is no need for a national or international union. The problems with companies are on a local level – they should be dealt with locally. This would solve the entire Union problem we are seeing today.
2011 will be the end of the REIGN OF THE THUGS
Another San Diego citizen facing off TSA…. this time TSA was prepared. http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-....
So it looks like they plan to file a misdemeanor against anyone who says no to radiation and no to getting groped
Because you know damn well that they wouldn't hesitate to use brass knuckles, baseball bats, molotovs, beat up your kids, burn down your house…
They's scary for exactly the same reason the Mafia are scary.
If they really wanted to get some attention, wouldnt they both just go to Stewart, since the left now takes The Daily Show as real news now anyway. Although, if that happens, Stewart might loose what ever he has left that he calls the audience and ratings.
…or the Bourbon French aristocracy
What is needed is a NATIONAL Right to Work law. Are you listening, House GOP?
The rage this woman on the left is displaying is probably because she gets paid by the hour to shreak and look threatening . Hell, she gets off on this job the SEIU gave her even though she probably doesn't know why she's there.
Bunch of thugs screaming for their money. Disgusting display of mentally deranged animals that belong behind bars.
Funny, isn't it? In a gallows humor sort of way.
The left, Generation X (or whatever they call themselves nowadays) get their "real" news from a "Make Believe" news show anchored by Jon-Jon Liebowitz, a man with a make believe gentile sounding name. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they guy who wore the sweater, Mr. Rogers, create the "land of make believe"?
Liberty Chick, How might we send Pocono a message of support?
Now we're talking!
Why does the Hospital have to go to a hearing to maintain it's open shop status?
The open shop policy allows you to join the union, or not join the union. People don't want to join the union. Simple.
SEIU is outrageous. Don't expect the judge to be fair. He's probably a progressive lib.
Amen
When taking a look at those pictures to, you notice that the union looks ready for some blood, while the Med Center employees are going with peaceful Tea Party type rally.
We just need to drop unions like SEIU out of existance. As they serve no good where ever they are and have proven to be more of a political tool than an employee protection kind of union I guess.
Oh no, Stan. This time the "passenger" was prepared. Just reading that article, I'm beginning to like this particular "passenger." Told he'd have to have the "pat-down" after refusing the x-ray, this guys takes his clothes off. He's wearing just those tight bike shorts underneath, ("leaving nothing to the imagination" from the article) and he keeps his iPhone video running.
Good chance this guy was trying to become the next You Tube sensation. But even though they confiscated his iPhone (reason for misdemeanor charge: taking video of San Diego police), he still made it onto Drudge. The stories are getting out there, and people like this are going to help make TSA the laughing stock of America.
Beat me to it … The exact same thought occurred to me.
Always be armed, it's the American thing to do, these days.
See my post above. Be prepared.
I have been trying to figure out when we started calling a majority of our populations workers. Last time I heard, the American tradition as always called the people either citizens or individuals. Workers is just soooooooooooo socialist/progressive.
Chris who?
"What is needed is a NATIONAL Right to Work law"
I understand the sentiment, but I have to disagree. The last thing we need is more top-down "national legislation" to solve our problems.
Instead, what we need first is to RESCIND official federal involvement with labor. Reverse Kennedy's executive order that allowed public employees to unionize. Eliminate the "Department of Labor."
Then elect a President and Congress that will encourage all States to become "Right to Work" States. A President that will give speeches to unhappy union employees to pursue de-authorization votes in their own workplaces.
What's needed is a People-centered, State-level fix to this problem. NOT another "federal mandate."
Just my opinion.
So long as union CBAs etc are regulated by the NLRB, the NLRB calls the shots. Yes, I would love to see labor law returned to the states, but it ain't happening soon.
"Disgusting display of mentally deranged animals that belong behind bars."
Time to start stocking up on Thorazine. These people are going to need it.
"How might we send Pocono a message of support?"
Money usually helps. This is a non-profit hospital. We can all send a donation. Just a thought.
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/webli...
Everyone should have the chance to decide for themselves what the production of their labor is worth. We have come to a point in our civilization where labor portability is no longer an issue and job migration within the existing community or marketing area into an almost infinite number of professions is now possible. This is the very antithesis of managed labor outcomes and now unions are facing the same issue that has faced every provider of an outdated and antiquated service in the past – extinction. The question is what will the payoff have to be to rid ourselves of these parasites once and for all. That is what pension plan reform is really all about – the ability of the union insiders to make billions and billions of dollars and have the taxpayer subsidize their existence as the price we would otherwise pay for a free society.
As in all matters, you must decide for yourself what this means and take actions accordingly. The less you do the more you will pay.
In the immortal words of Gomer Pyle, "Surprise, surprise, surprise".
That is what they would get from me.
I detest those thugs.
Bottom line: Unions exist only to extract every penny they can from the company. If you are a union member, you are paying dues, taken from your employer generated pay check, to a union whose sole purpose is to destroy your employer.
"I would love to see labor law returned to the states, but it ain't happening soon."
Yeah, maybe not. And definitely not from the federal level. But it does seem that we just took over a LOT of governorships. And a BOATLOAD of State legislative seats. Maybe if the People start to pressure their local officials, the changes might start to occur a little quicker than we're thinking.
Yep.
Chrissy Tingles.
You know, the guy who gets his leg pissed on, then tells us it is rain…………
Unions are the equivalent of a dictatorship. Their imposed rules do not mesh with our belief in freedom. Socialist Dems use them to supress We The People! Fight to ban Unions!
Closed shops are anti-Liberty, period. No one should ever be forced to join anything they might morally oppose or have NO desire to be associated with.
Agree with you. Major difference. Drive the Unions out or we'll lose what's left of our freedoms soon!
That is a racist remark……..
They Scrubbed the link already. Censorship in action. ;0) Any other links to the story??? Sounds interesting.
~'2011 will be the end of the Reign of the Thugs'~
Wouldn't that be nice. You'd think that the socialist Democrats would have realized that the rise of the Tea Party Freedom fighters was because of the oppression of our freedoms. They are doubling their efforts to use brute force on U.S. It is their demise.
Like a spoiled child, they're perpetually in a snit that the world doesn't bow to their demands.
Try this one, or where I went to find it below that: http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-...
Here: http://revolutionradio.org/?p=8567
Racist…maybe. Accurate…Yep!
They're union zombies, they don't sleep….
Yes…I was waiting for someone to throw that bomb. I'm glad it was someone who only meant it "tongue-in-cheek". I will respond as though you were serious though.
How is pointing out the obvious racist? And, which part of my statement is "the racist part"? Should I have said "night and day" as opposed to "black and white"? Since the idea is the same, what makes one racist and the other not?
Technically, a closer label would be "it was a race-baiting remark". It tweaks the racially oversensitive into apoplectic rage. I make no apologies for that. It's my way of getting them to examine their own prejudices and preconceptions.
I reached a conclusion based on a demonstrated content of character…not on color of skin. If I were truly racist, would I support Alan Keyes, Col. West, or Thomas Sowell? No.
Also, it is very racist to assume that I am not a black person based upon my political views.
Thanks for the setup, CL! It was fun. ;O)
On the downside, CL, Hillary also made an appearance on the show. Check out what I saw, as the Hill is stepping up to "defend the people" against TSA intrusions. Another sign of the Shrill setting up a 2012 challenge?
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/11/21/clinto...
That's the same reason I love living in Texas (and previously Kansas)
"Right to Work" should be a law in all 50 states, but we all know it's not going to happen under Obama's watch.
…."perpetually in a snit…"
That would be a PAID for phony snit….
Bused-in, KFC box lunch, silly sign, and $25. WAM.*
*Walkin' 'round money…..
You are right trh. That's the circular irony of Unions.
It's time to stand up for our freedoms before it's too late. Banish the outmoded, oppressive Unions. It won't be easy but 'we the people' have the numbers and the determination to do it!
According to the article, they are currently a closed shop. The Union Members are wanting to go open shop to be able to kick SEIU to the curb, since SEIU failed to deliver on their promises.
SEIU of course is fighting it, since they want to maintain their power of control.
You're right tha tno one should ever be forced to join anything they oppose. Unions don't have that attitude. They make Billions and Billions of dollars. They won't go quietly. We have to fight until they are extinguished. I think some law suits are in order.
I do think that law suits are the only way to deal with banishing Unions. They are mobsters and will use their Billions of dollars to oppress US. Time for them to go. If we can throw out half of Congress, we can dismantle Unions. It only takes persistence and a coupld of good leaders like Dave -in – Oklahoma!
Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 – SB510
WAKE UP. If the stench of Soros & The Rothschild's isn't enough….
Think FieldFresh Foods. Think Archer Daniels. What about bottling water? Think Pepsi.
Consider this the 'repeal' version of Glass Steagall for small farmers. Calling Michele Bachmann. Palin. DeMint. Ryan. Paul et al.
The closed shop is another great example of the staggering hypocrisy of the Left: They would have you believe that they are all about the "working class" and standing up for the rights of the little guy, but if the little guy CHOOSES not to join the union and pay union dues, then – if they have their way – the little guy is out of a job!
I would rather live in world without unions; they no longer serve any legitimate purpose and – thankfully – the industry I work in has no unions whatsoever. However, I'm perfectly happy with the idea of people CHOOSING to form and join unions…..but it has to be a choice; made without threats or coercion.
Outlaw the closed shop! It is in direct violation of the spirit – and the letter – of the Constitution and has NO place in American society.
It's a tough job because the Unions are Billionaire mobsters. They use brutal bullying tactics like an oppressive Dictatorship. That's why they work so well with Obama and the Socialist Dems because their mentality is that THEY will decide for you. It's un-American and it's time to keep the pressure on them and extricate them from our lives!
It's good to know which path to take. A message to the new Congress and the Governors. We want a "Right to Work" law in all 50 States. That's a good start! Bring it up on a regular bais on this blog and I guarantee it will get teeth!
When Dr Michael Savage says "liberalism is a mental disorder" he is telling the God's honest truth!
You know how the most outlandish polling continually shows 20% that believe Chairman O is doing an "excellent job" or how 20% believe congress is doing an "excellent job"…?
That 20% just keeps on popping up!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101118/hl_nm/us_usa_...
This simply cannot be a "random coincidence", God is trying to tell us something…
Jumping off topic too.
Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 – SB510
This is the 'repeal' version of Glass Steagall for small agriculture business. The language will be so broad and ambiguous that interpretation will look like "Fraudclosure" for those of us still willing to produce.
That's funny. and true.
Union bosses are multi millionaires like Trunka. They get to see the President, esp a Democrat marxist like Obama. They get what they want on a daily basis like all mobsters. They use little people to do their dirty work. We need to sue for "Right to Work" law in every State! Using our legal system is the only way to dismantle them.
That worked. ;0) Thanks.
Yes indeed!
The "stand up" needs to come from those union members paying dues. Many of them do not toe the union mantea of "vote Democrat." I would like to see a "union" formed between the employer and the employees and tell the "organized unions" to go to hell, we already have one.
It's our money for which they're screaming and to which they think they're entitled.
Unions exist through fear & intimidation. When the sheep wise up and begin to stray they get angry. To the good folks at Pocono – Hang tough, life gets much better once the cockroaches are gone.
SB510 MUST DIE!
If it passes, we will lose control of our food supply to Monsanto and government bureaucrats.
Contact your Senator and do everything you can to convince them to vote it down.
Union is as union does.
Purple people eaters strike again. http://political-lobotomy.blogspot.com/
With the takeover of more state legislatures and governorships this past election, look for more right to work legislation to pass across the country. Especially in states that are REALLY strapped for cash.
Purple is the new brown.
Exactly right. I've suffered through two plant closings in my life. I wouldn't wish even one on people that I don't like. They are devastating.
In both cases I chalk it up to the unions making it very difficult for the company to operate profitably and defending "workers" who deserved to get suspended or fired and getting them reinstated with back pay.
I can't tell you how many people I worked with who expended more energy avoiding doing their job than their job required. When they would say "I really f*cked 'em today" I would tell them they were only working themselves out of a job. And so they did. And they worked me out of a job as well. It's the whole union mind-set, us vs. them, that is the problem.
SEIU is a bigger threat to America than Al Qaida.
Thanks for the response.
You know me well enough, that my remark was tongue in cheek.
To use my old worn out phrase going back to day one here, kudos to you. For stepping up and calling a spade a spade.
Yes, you can get out from under union control. Demand right to work from your state legislature and have it put on a ballot for voter approval. However, IL is so corrupt that your state legislature is more than likely controlled controlled by the Chicago dim, progressive mob..
Unions ruin lives! Whether you're in a union or not … nothing but ruin!
No question it is her opportunity to try and take back 'her" office. That's fine, we'll run against her – we just need a real candidate, not a McLame. This will NOT be a shoo-in for the D ticket.
Now there's a pair to draw to! ROFL!
What is Andy Stearn up to these days? I always start to get nervous any time these weasels drop off the radar. You just know they're up to no good!
Thugs and criminals like SEIU will never settle for a fair compromise or for allowing workers to decide whether to join the union or not. It is all about the money, and SEIU wants your money. Who are the violent hoods who storm private homes and terrify residents? Who are the violent hoods who beat up those who disagree with them? Who spends workers dues on Democrats' campaigns? SEIU wants workers to be loud mouthed commie puppets, and those people in the picture fit the profile. George Soros and SEIU want to take over our country. Time to say NO, and NO, and NO again…..for as long as it takes.
Thank you but, were all leaders here!
While the Unions destroy our country from within the TSA is groping Grannies at airports to preserve our way of life. And soon TSA to be unionized. Stop looking for terrorists and turn around and see the real danger…..
The only thing that protest is lacking is some mace and a whole shitload of clubs,
One thing you can bet on. Every SEIU member who works there is likely a sub-standard employee who goofs off as much as they can get away with and is a chronic complainer. Which pretty much makes them a standard union member.
Don't forget the incredible strides being made by he National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation. They are providing the tools and representation for workers fighting against forced unionization.
http://www.nrtw.org/
You must be logged in to post a comment.