Region 7-Detroit Wins Injunction Requiring Trinity Health Grand Haven Hospital to Recognize and Bargain with the Union
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On Friday, October 25, 2024, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker in the Western District of Michigan issued an injunctive order against Trinity Health Grand Haven Hospital in Grand Haven, MI after NLRB Region 7 (Detroit) sought injunctive relief under Section 10(j) of the National Labor Relations Act. The judge enjoined Trinity Health from withdrawing recognition of SEIU Healthcare Michigan as representative of the bargaining unit employees and ordered it to immediately recognize and, upon request, bargain with the union.
The underlying unfair labor practice case (07-CA-326861, et al.) is currently before the Board after the employer appealed an Administrative Law Judge decision finding that it unlawfully withdrew recognition from the union and cut off bargaining on a successor contract. The court injunction will stay in place until the Board issues a decision on the underlying case.
“We’re pleased that Judge Jonker ordered Trinity Health Grand Haven Hospital to bargain with the union. Workers have a right to union representation, if they so choose, and employers have a responsibility to bargain in good faith with the union,” said Regional Director Elizabeth Kerwin. “I’m proud of Region 7 staff for working tirelessly to obtain this injunction.”
In July, NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo issued a memorandum reaffirming her commitment to seeking injunctions to protect workers’ rights.
Established in 1935, the National Labor Relations Board is an independent federal agency that protects employees, employers, and unions from unfair labor practices and protects the right of private sector employees to join together, with or without a union, to improve wages, benefits and working conditions. The NLRB conducts hundreds of workplace elections and investigates thousands of unfair labor practice charges each year. Region 7 serves areas in Michigan from its Regional Office in Detroit and its Resident Office in Grand Rapids.