BEND, Ore. (AP) -- After a crossfire of accusations about intimidation and pressure, more than 500 employees at a Bend hospital voted to end their representation by the Service Employees International Union.
The Bend Bulletin reports a vote to decertify the union this week passed by 122 votes, 334-212. Service employees at St. Charles Bend hospital voted to join the union in January 2011 by a margin of six votes.
Local union members bargained for a new labor contract they never achieved. St. Charles workers may not approach SEIU for representation for another year.
It was the second union-related action at the Bend hospital this week. Nurses, who are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association, ratified a new three-year contract with St. Charles Health System.
