Huntington Hospital Nurses Union Election Votes Challenged

A large number of challenged ballots has delayed a decisive outcome after Huntington Memorial Hospital nurses voted this week whether or not they want representation from California Nurses Association/National Nurses United.

The secret secret ballot election was conducted by the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16, 2015.

The vote count was:

Votes cast against CNA/NNU representation (“No” votes): 539
Votes cast for CNA/NNU representation (“Yes” votes): 445
Challenged ballots: 175

Because of the number of challenged ballots, the result cannot be determined without resolving the challenged ballots.

The NLRB will ultimately make a determination on the challenged ballots. In this determinative process, the side that challenged the ballot has to provide a legitimate legal reason for the challenge and evidence to support it.

Once the NLRB decides which challenged nurses are eligible to vote, those ballots are opened, separated from the envelopes and counted as a group by the NLRB.

The hospital also is assessing additional steps. Both sides have one week to file objections to the election. The hospital will object to any conduct by CNA/NNU leading up to and during the election that was illegal, or intended to intimidate or harass voters.

Until the NLRB investigates and rules on the challenges and objections, if any, the election results will not be official.

Officials at the Huntington Hospital said they cannot predict how long that process will take.

“In the meantime, with the vote behind us, Huntington Hospital will move forward,” the Hospital said in a press release. “We will continue to keep our focus on our commitment to providing safe, quality care to our patients and their families.”