The National Labor Relations Board has issued a consolidated complaint against Rogers Memorial Hospital, which operates as Rogers Behavioral Health, alleging the behavioral health provider unlawfully fired six employees for union-related activities and interfered with workers’ labor rights.
The Oct. 8 complaint involves Rogers’ Lincoln Center Clinic in West Allis, Wis., and stems from five charges filed by the National Union of Healthcare Workers. The allegations include retaliatory terminations, restrictions on employee discussions about working conditions and threats of legal action against workers who engaged in protected activities.
According to the complaint, Rogers discharged nurse practitioners Heather Cunningham, MSN, and Stephani Lohman and psychiatrist Gunjan Khandpur, MD, about Feb. 9 because of their union activities. The NLRB also alleged Rogers suspended clinic support coordinator Delaney O’Connor about April 22 and fired her about April 27 after she escorted the terminated employees to vote in the April 22 union election.
The complaint further alleged Rogers suspended employees Angela King and Kate Zolandz about April 22 and discharged them about April 27 because of their union activities. It also alleged the provider’s attorney threatened employees with criminal charges, civil litigation and professional misconduct complaints for engaging in protected activities.
The allegations have not been adjudicated. Rogers must respond to the complaint by Oct. 22, and a hearing before a judge is scheduled for Dec. 14.
“This complaint should send a clear message to Rogers executives that they can’t get away with violating the rights of caregivers and that it’s time to honor their union vote and negotiate contracts to improve working conditions and patient care,” NUHW President Vanessa Coe said in an Oct. 13 news release shared with Becker’s.
Rogers Behavioral Health said in a statement shared with Becker’s:
“Rogers Behavioral Health has been providing compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health care for more than 100 years and is deeply committed to its employees and the communities it serves. We respect all employees’ rights under the National Labor Relations Act, and all employment and labor practices are conducted in full accordance with applicable law and longstanding policies.
Rogers is aware of the ongoing NLRB process involving a small group of providers in Wisconsin, including the recent complaint, and we are working through that thoughtfully and in good faith through the appropriate channels.
Because this is an active legal matter, we are unable to comment further on specific allegations or pending proceedings.”
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