Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Union claims rally was purposely disrupted by a helicopter



The Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) amended its complaint filed against Crozer-Chester Medical Center to include a new charge alleging the Delaware County hospital tried to “stifle the free speech of its unionized nurses” by scheduling three helicopter landings during a union rally.

Officials at Crozer-Keystone Health System, the parent company for Crozer-Chester Medical Center, were not immediately available to comment on the union's complaint.


PASNAP represents 550 registered nurses at Crozer-Chester in Upland, Pa. The nurses held a two-day strike last month to protest the absence of a new contract. Wages, pension benefits and staffing are among the issues in dispute.

In its amended complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board, PASNAP alleges that Crozer had a JeffSTAT helicopter practice landing on the hospital campus to disturb their gathering. The helicopter landed three times, drowning out the voices of the rally speakers, according to PASNAP.

“We believe that the Crozer administration deliberately scheduled these so-called “practice landings” in order to intimidate the Crozer nurses and their supporters,” said Bill Cruice, PASNAP Executive Director. “Their childish efforts failed; if anything, such displays make us stronger.”

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