NLRB issues third strike against Sal Rosselli, other former SEIU-UHW officials

SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West (SEIU-UHW)Jun 19 2010

The National Labor Relations Board issued a third strike against Sal Rosselli, ousted president of the Service Employees International Union - United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), and other former union officials who formed the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) after they were removed from office.

"Rosselli and the others have now been found guilty three times of sticking it to SEIU-UHW members. I say three strikes and you're out. After all they've done to us, I wouldn't let these NUHW guys in my house let alone let them represent me at work," said Lisa Murry, a Unit Clerk at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.

This time, the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board - one of its highest ranking officials - found that while they were still in office in SEIU-UHW, Rosselli and the others:

~ Deliberately failed to handle grievances and bargain contracts.

~ Cancelled contracts leaving members with no union protection.

~ Stole and destroyed documents needed for grievances and bargaining.

~ Moved millions in members' dues money into a private account they controlled.

~ Threatened and intimidated SEIU-UHW staff and supporters.

This latest finding follows two rulings that hold the former SEIU-UHW leaders who now run the NUHW accountable for damage done to union members. To read the entire ruling, go to www.seiu-uhw.org/nlrbstrikethree

* In early April, a federal jury ordered NUHW, Rosselli and other officials to pay $1.5 million in damages for illegally sabotaging SEIU-UHW as they left to form NUHW and illegally using members' dues money to form their new organization.

* In May, a federal judge found them guilty of "self-dealing" and booted Rosselli and four other NUHW officials off the board of the $22 million SEIU UHW-West & Joint Employer Education Fund. Rosselli and the others had illegally changed the fund's bylaws in an attempt to give themselves lifetime appointments and the power to appoint their successors should they choose to leave.

In its conclusion, the General Counsel wrote:

"Thus, the evidence indicates that the former UHW leadership (Rosselli and the others while still in office in SEIU-UHW) made a conscious decision to abdicate its representative responsibilities with regard to grievances and bargaining in favor of carrying on an ongoing fight with SEIU and creating an 'ungovernable' situation for any trusteeship imposed. Unit employees' collective-bargaining agreements were cancelled, apparently to further this fight, SEIU's pre-trusteeship offices were invaded, non-employees were threatened and harassed, UHW offices were unlawfully occupied, documents necessary for UHW to represent unit employees after trusteeship were stolen or destroyed, and unit employees were restrained and coerced in the exercise of their Section 7 rights by individuals loyal to NUHW, including former UHW stewards."