In October of 2010, Springfield City Council passed a resolution supporting workers rights to allow employees to: “Choose freely whether to unionize or not, free from intimidation or coerction”
As we all know by now, because the actions of Linda Williams and management were so egregious–like erecting a stockade fence around the voting site and indicating bonuses were contingent on the union election outcome–the NLRB threw out the first election. You would think, that MHA would have learned their lesson by now.
Unfortunately, Linda Williams seems to be headed down the same path of fear, intimidation and coercion. She has once again hired a high paid “union avoidance” consultant. And this time, she seems to be acting in conflict with the goals of the City Council Resolution supporting workers rights, in addition to potential further violations of NLRB rules.
City Councilor Amaad Rivera has sent a letter calling on Linda Williams to respect the resolution:
MHA employees now report that MHA has again retained a “union avoidance” consultant, Natasha Gordon, and is requiring staff to attend mandatory meetings to dissuade employees from supporting a union. I am concerned these activities and others conflict with the resolution of City Council. During this second election, I trust you will respect the resolution of city council and allow your employees to: “to choose freely whether to unionize or not, free of intimidation or coercion.
The councilor has joined growing list of over 60 community members and community organizations like Jobs With Justice, United for Community Voices, the Pioneer Valley Central Labor Council, Arise and elected officials like state representative Cheryl Coakley-Rivera who have a called on Linda Williams to respect workers rights.
If you haven’t already, you can send a letter to Linda Williams and the MHA board of directors here.