SHEA JOHNSON

STAFF WRITER

A California Nurses Association representative and registered nurses from Barstow Community Hospital picket for fair bargaining outside the hospital in March

BARSTOW--The National Labor Relations Board is expected to file an injunction in federal court against Barstow Community Hospital regarding its alleged bargaining tactics with the California Nurses Association, according to a CNA news release.

The injunction could come as early as this week, according to the CNA, the union which represents nurses at the hospital.

In an amended complaint dated May 13, the NLRB accuses the hospital of refusing to “bargain in good faith” with the union, which includes allegations that the hospital “refused to offer proposals or counterproposals” and “abruptly shortened and/or canceled bargaining sessions” since July of last year.

BCH spokesman John Rader said Monday that the hospital was reviewing the development “and considering its options, including whether to take this matter on to the full National Labor Relations Board.”

The union first brought forth allegations of misconduct to the NLRB in September, according to CNA spokesman Charles Idelson.

A hearing on the matter is scheduled June 17 before an administrative law judge at the Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce, according to the complaint.

General counsel from the NLRB and representatives from the CNA and the hospital are expected to attend, according to Attorney Brian Gee of the NLRB’s Los Angeles office.

Similar action has been taken against Fallbrook Community Hospital in Fallbrook, according to the news release.

Both hospitals are operated by Tennessee-based Community Health Systems.

On June 29 of last year, CNA was board-certified as the exclusive collective-bargaining representative of eligible nurses at BCH, the complaint showed.

Shea Johnson may be reached at (760) 256-4126 or at SJohnson@DesertDispatch.com.

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