Caregivers working at Crystal Run Healthcare’s 11 primary care facilities in New York’s Hudson Valley have voted to join 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
More than 1,120 workers, with roles ranging from administrative assistant to CT technologist, were eligible to vote in the late February National Labor Relations Board election, according to the NLRB. There were 553 votes in favor of unionization and 295 against it. Forty ballots were challenged.
Crystal Run is part of Optum Care, which is part of Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group.
“Optum workers are standing up for themselves, their families and their patients,” said Anthony Peterson, 1199SEIU vice president for new organizing in the Hudson Valley, according to Mid-Hudson News. “This is the 12th election in a little over a year where workers voted to put their patients over profits. It’s time for Optum to respect their dedicated staff by fairly negotiating a first contract now.”
Optum filed two objections March 4, requesting that the election results be set aside.
NLRB documents the union shared with Becker’s shows the first objection is related to quorum. Optum argues that “given the absence of a quorum by the NLRB, regional directors do not have the authority to certify election results or investigate and adjudicate the employer’s objections under Section 3(b) of the National Labor Relations Act.”
The second objection argues that the NLRB limited Optum’s ability to share its opinion or arguments about unionization with employees during working hours.
The union, on the other hand, accuses Optum of running an anti-union campaign.
Optum’s objections will be investigated by a regional investigator of the NLRB unless the objections are withdrawn.
Becker’s has reached out to Optum and will update this story if more information is received.
Optum shared the following statement with Becker’s:
“We believe we can best achieve our mission when our leaders and employees work together to help people live healthier lives and to help make the health system work better for everyone. A direct relationship, rooted in a collaborative, inclusive team environment, allows for the strongest, most effective, and open communication between employees and leaders. The health, well-being, and safety of our patients is our top priority.”
