Hearing on Bluefield Regional Medical Center in Princeton, W.Va.

The National Labor Relations Board has scheduled a public hearing on labor violations at Bluefield Regional Medical Center (BRMC) to begin August 8 in Princeton, W.Va.

"I look forward to testifying at the NLRB hearing because I know how absolutely essential it is for RNs to have the protection of labor law so that we can advocate effectively for our patients," said Brenda Meadwell an RN in the OB unit at BRMC and a member of the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU).

"When a hospital employer believes it is above the law, it is very dangerous to patients and nurses. Community Health Systems and BRMC must be held accountable for their serial law breaking and when that happens it will set the stage for improving eroding conditions at the hospital," said Meadwell.

What: NLRB Hearing on Violations at BRMC/Bluefield Regional Medical Center
When: Begins August 8, 10 a.m.
Where: Fairfield Inn & Suites, 107 Halls Ridge Rd, Princeton, WV 24740 

With this hearing the NLRB begins the West Virginia phase of a multi-state trial process prosecuted by the NLRB's General Counsel, for multiple and repeated alleged labor violations at seven hospitals owned by mega hospital chain, Community Health Systems (CHS) including BRMC in Bluefield and Greenbrier Valley Medical Center (GVMC) in Ronceverte, West Virginia.

The hearing for GVMC will be held in Greenbrier, W. Va. beginning on September 19. 

This trial marks the first time that CHS will be tried as the parent company for labor violations at its hospitals under either the "single employer," or "joint employer" doctrines of the NLRB.

Last month, in response to an earlier appeal by the NLRB to the courts, a federal court ordered BRMC and GVMC to stop blocking a democratic vote by nurses, recognize the nurses' right to join a union and bargain with them for a first collective bargaining agreement.