Lab technicians, physical therapists, pharmacists and other so-called “allied health professionals” who work at the two Holy Family Hospital campuses are voting Wednesday on whether to form a collective bargaining unit at the Massachusetts Nurses Association.
The 76 workers have been meeting with representatives of the union for the last two months, according to Massachusetts Nurses Association spokesperson Joe Markman. The Massachusetts Nurses Association already represents registered nurses at the two Holy Family campuses, as well as at Lawrence General Hospital, the new owner of the Methuen and Haverhill hospitals.
The National Labor Relations Board is running the election.
The vote to unionize follows the purchase of the two Holy Family campuses by Lawrence General Hospital with state financial assistance last October after the previous owner, Steward Health Care, declared bankruptcy.
Markman said the hospital’s human resources department sent a flier to those eligible to vote seeking to undermine the unionizing campaign. The flier, “Collective Bargaining Union Promises vs. the Facts,” says that unions make promises they have no power to enforce. “Under a union contract, you could end of with the same, more or less than you have now,” it reads.
Markman said the nurses union is evaluating whether the flier rises to the level of an unfair labor practice. In the meantime, the union countered with its own flier.
Lawrence General Hospital spokesperson Lori Howley said she couldn’t comment directly on the flier. However, she gave WHAV the following statement, “We respect our employees’ right to choose whether or not they wish to be represented by a union. This is an important, personal decision, and we encourage all eligible employees to participate in the upcoming election and make their voices heard by casting their vote.”
Markman said he expected the election results would be announced by the end of the week.