Beverly Enterprises

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Jan 29, 1993

310 N.L.R.B. 222 (N.L.R.B. 1993)

222
310 NLRB No. 37
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
1 The name of Charging Party Teamsters has been changed to re-
flect the new official name of the International Union.
2 The parties have excepted to some of the judge’s credibility find-
ings. The Board’s established policy is not to overrule an administra-
tive law judge’s credibility resolutions unless the clear preponder-
ance of all the relevant evidence convinces us that they are incorrect.
Standard Dry Wall Products, 91 NLRB 544 (1950), enfd. 188 F.2d
362 (3d Cir. 1951). We have carefully examined the record and find
no basis for reversing the findings.
The judge found that the Respondent committed certain unfair
labor practices at some facilities, but, apparently inadvertently, omit-
ted reference to the specific section of the Act that had been vio-
lated. We correct those omissions as follows: (1) Beverly Manor of
Monroeville. The Respondent violated Sec. 8(a)(1) by enforcing its
telephone policy more strictly because of the union activity of its
employees and by reprimanding Josephine Belice for her use of the
Beverly California Corporation f/k/a Beverly Enter-
prises, its Operating Divisions, Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries and Individual Facilities and each
of them and District 1199P, National Union of
Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFL–
CIO and Service Employees International
Union, Local 585, AFL–CIO and Pennsylvania
Social Services Union, Service Employees Inter-
national Union, Local 668, AFL–CIO and
International Union of Operating Engineers,
Local 547, A, B, C, D, H, AFL–CIO and Serv-
ice Employees International Union, AFL–CIO
and Service Employees International Union,
Local 79, AFL–CIO and Teamsters, Local
Union No. 839 a/w International Brotherhood
of Teamsters, AFL–CIO1 and Service Employ-
ees International Union, Local 96, AFL–CIO
and District 1199C, National Union of Hospital
and Health Care Employees, AFL–CIO and
Service Employees International Union, Local
606, AFL–CIO and Minnesota Licensed Prac-
tical Nurses’ Assoc. and International Union,
United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricul-
tural Implement Workers of America & Local
838, AFL–CIO and United Food and Commer-
cial Workers International Union, Local 917,
AFL–CIO and Communications Workers of
America, AFL–CIO and Elias Pierre and
Malcom Campbell and New England Health
Care Employees, District 1199, National Union
of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFL–
CIO and Precious Beasley and United Steel-
workers of America, AFL–CIO and United
Food and Commercial Workers Union Local
No. 73-A, affiliated with United Food and
Commercial Workers International Union,
AFL–CIO and Torrington Extend-A-Care Em-
ployee Association. Cases 6–CA–19444, 6–CA–
19494, 6–CA–19495–1, 6–CA–19538, 6–CA–
19676, 6–CA–19720, 6–CA–19726, 6–CA–19736,
6–CA–19744, 6–CA–19745, 6–CA–19793(1–2),
6–CA–19861, 6–CA–19871, 6–CA–19936, 6–CA–
19937, 6–CA–19944, 6–CA–19996, 6–CA–19997,
6–CA–19998, 6–CA–20018, 6–CA–20144–2, 6–
CA–20185, 6–CA–20188–1 (formerly 4–CA–
16262), 6–CA–20188–10 (formerly 4–CA–16466),
6–CA–20188–11 (formerly 4–CA–16461), 6–CA–
20188–12 (formerly 4–CA–16321), 6–CA–20188–
13 (formerly 4–CA–16325), 6–CA–20188–14
(formerly 4–CA–16432), 6–CA–20188–15 (for-
merly 4–CA–16438), 6–CA–20188–19 (formerly
4–CA–16509–2), 6–CA–20188–30 (formerly 4–
CA–16710), 6–CA–16804 (formerly 4–CA–
16804–2), 6–CA–20188–31 (formerly 4–CA–
16756–2), 6–CA–20188–33 (formerly 4–CA–
16943–1), 6–CA–20188–50 (formerly 4–CA–
17921–1), 6–CA–20188–51 (formerly 4–CA–
17921–4), 6–CA–20188–52 (formerly 4–CA–
18176), 6–CA–20267, 6–CA–20323, 6–CA–
20331, 6–CA–20331–1, 6–RC–9981, 6–CA–
19821, 6–CA–20028, 6–CA–20321, 6–CA–20322,
6–CA–20188–7 (formerly 4–CA–16156–1–2, 4–
CA–16535), 6–CA–20188–2 (formerly 7–CA–
26580), 6–CA–20188–3 (formerly 16–CA–13060),
6–CA–20188–4 (formerly 7–CA–26846–1–2), 6–
CA–20188–6 (formerly 7–CA–26817–1), 6–CA–
20188–34 (formerly 7–CA–27578), 6–CA–20188–
38 (formerly 7–CA–27857), 6–CA–20188–39
(formerly 7–CA–27876), 6–CA–20188–43 (for-
merly 7–CA–28180), 6–CA–20188–5 (formerly
19–CA–18976), 6–RC–9927 (formerly 19–RC–
11518), 6–CA–20188–16 (formerly 17–CA–
13255), 6–CA–20188–44 (formerly 17–CA–
13897), 6–CA–20188–17 (formerly 17–CA–
16366), 6–CA–20188–24 (formerly 17–CA–
16712), 6–CA–20188–18 (formerly 16–CA–
13111), 6–CA–20188–20 (formerly 18–CA–9994),
6–CA–20188–21 (formerly 18–CA–9988), 6–CA–
20188–22 (formerly 18–CA–18767), 6–CA–
20188–25 (formerly 18–CA–18800), 6–CA–
20188–23 (formerly 14–CA–19080), 6–CA–
20188–32 (formerly 14–CA–19301), 6–CA–
20188–28 (formerly 1–CA–24979), 6–CA–20188–
29 (formerly 14–CA–19262), 6–CA–20188–35
(formerly 1–CA–25258–1), 6–CA–20188–36 (for-
merly 1–CA–25258–2), 6–CA–20188–41 (for-
merly 39–CA–3665), 6–CA–20188–37 (formerly
7–CA–27860), 6–CA–20188–40 (formerly 9–CA–
25168), 6–CA–20188–42 (formerly 30–CA–
10073), and 6–CA–20188–45 (formerly 39–CA–
3883)
January 29, 1993
DECISION AND ORDER
BY MEMBERS DEVANEY, OVIATT, AND
RAUDABAUGH
On November 9, 1990, Administrative Law Judge
Martin J. Linsky issued the attached decision. The Re-
spondent and the General Counsel each filed excep-
tions, supporting briefs, and answering briefs.
The National Labor Relations Board has delegated
its authority in this proceeding to a three-member
panel.
The Board has considered the decision and the
record in light of the exceptions and briefs and has de-
cided to affirm the judge’s rulings, findings,2 and con-
223BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
phone; the Respondent violated Sec. 8(a)(5) and (1) by unilaterally
implementing a new medical service plan and by unilaterally chang-
ing holiday and vacation benefits; the Respondent, through Facility
Administrator Judith Comer and Director of Nursing (DON) Kay
Sczublewski, created the impression of surveillance in violation of
Sec. 8(a)(1); the Respondent violated Sec. 8(a)(1) when it hired se-
curity guards to prevent employees from distributing union literature
during the campaign; (2) Fayette Health Care Center. The Respond-
ent violated Sec. 8(a)(3) and (1) by disciplining Joann Clingan; the
Respondent violated Sec. 8(a)(1), in addition to Sec. 8(a)(3), by giv-
ing employee Wilma Franks a less favorable performance evaluation;
the Respondent, through Facility Administrator James Filippone, vio-
lated Sec. 8(a)(5), as well as Sec. 8(a)(1), when he assaulted em-
ployee delegate Wilma Franks when she was presenting grievances
to him, and Union Representative Ashley Adams; (3) Mount Leb-
anon Manor Convalescent Center. The Respondent violated Sec.
8(a)(3) and (1) when it denied employee Diane Mead tuition reim-
bursement because of her activity on behalf of the Union; (4) Car-
penter Care Center. The Respondent violated Sec. 8(a)(3) and (1)
when it disciplined licensed practical nurse (LPN) Lynn Smith for
failing to take disciplinary action against nurses aide Erica Evans;
(5) Duke Convalescent Center. The Respondent violated Sec. 8(a)(1)
when DON Joan Noble threatened employee Dixon that she would
lose her job if she had meetings with the Union; (6) Four Chaplains
Convalescent Center. The Respondent violated Sec. 8(a)(1) when it
commissioned employee Precious Beasley to promote the Com-
pany’s position about unionization and keep the Company posted on
developments.
3 In 1989 the Respondent reorganized its corporate structure and
replaced the 5 operating divisions with 11 operating regions.
4 District 1199P, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Em-
ployees, AFL–CIO.
5 The General Counsel has excepted to the judge’s dismissal of the
allegation that the Respondent discharged Vincent in violation of
Sec. 8(a)(3) and (1). For the reasons stated by the judge, we find
no merit in the General Counsel’s exception.
clusions as modified and to adopt the recommended
Order as modified and set forth in full below.
I.
This consolidated case concerns allegations that the
Respondent committed scores of unfair labor practices
at 35 facilities throughout the United States. The judge
found that the Respondent violated Section 8(a)(1), (3),
and (5) as alleged at 33 facilities, that it has dem-
onstrated a proclivity to violate the Act, and that a
broad cease-and-desist order, applicable to all the Re-
spondent’s facilities nationwide, would best effectuate
the policies of the Act.
The Respondent, Beverly Enterprises, is a California
corporation which owns and operates nearly 1000
nursing homes and extended care facilities throughout
the United States. Throughout most of this litigation,
the Respondent’s corporate structure was organized
into five operating divisions referred to as the Eastern,
Southern, Central, Western, and Texas Divisions,3
which report to corporate headquarters in Pasadena,
California. Each operating division is directly respon-
sible for the individual facilities within its division.
Each division contains vice presidents of operations
and human resources with regional or area managers,
human resource representatives, and labor relations
representatives reporting to them. Each facility is man-
aged by an administrator, a director of nursing (DON),
and, usually, an assistant director of nursing (ADON).
The facilities are staffed with licensed practical nurses
(LPNs) or licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), who
usually serve as charge nurses, and nurses aides who
assist them. In addition, the facilities usually contain a
dietary department with a supervisor, cooks, and die-
tary aides; a housekeeping department, also with a su-
pervisor and service personnel; and a laundry depart-
ment with a supervisor and laundry aides. The Re-
spondent has admitted it is a single employer with all
its operating divisions and individual facilities.
The charges were filed by 3 individuals alleged to
be discriminatees, and the 18 labor organizations in-
volved in this consolidated litigation. The judge found
that the Respondent committed one or more unfair
labor practices at all but 2 of the 35 facilities involved
in this litigation during the 2 years between 1986 and
1988. He dismissed the allegations at the two facilities.
The overwhelming majority of the violations occurred
in the context of union organizing activity at 23 facili-
ties. Except as set forth below, the judge’s findings are
affirmed and adopted without modification.
II.
A. Beverly Manor of Monroeville
The Union4 began organizing activities at this Penn-
sylvania facility in July 1986. Following an election on
October 24, 1986, the Union was certified as the ex-
clusive bargaining representative of the service and
maintenance employees, including nurses aides. The
parties began negotiations for a collective-bargaining
agreement in December 1986 and reached agreement
August 10, 1987.
On April 18, 1987, when probationary nurses aide
Mary Vincent was discharged,5 she sought the assist-
ance of union organizer Ashley Adams. The following
day, Adams telephoned Facility Administrator Lois
Northey and requested a meeting with her to discuss
Vincent’s discharge. Northey told Adams that she
would meet with Vincent, but would not permit Adams
to be present. Adams testified that he reluctantly de-
cided not to press the issue and set up the meeting be-
tween Vincent and Northey.
The complaint alleges that the Respondent violated
Section 8(a)(5) and (1) through Northey’s refusal to
meet with Adams to discuss Vincent’s discharge. The
judge found, however, only that Northey’s conduct re-
flected an antiunion bias. The General Counsel excepts
to the judge’s failure to find that Northey’s refusal to
meet with Adams is a refusal to discuss a grievance
in violation of Section 8(a)(5) and (1). The Respondent
argues that Northey did not refuse to meet with Adams
inasmuch as Adams agreed not to participate in the
224 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
6 The Respondent excepts to the judge’s characterization of
Northey’s conduct as antiunion bias. In view of our finding below,
it is unnecessary to pass on the Respondent’s exception.
7 Adams’ reluctance may also be attributable to the fact that he
had been arrested several times during the recently concluded elec-
tion campaign for trespassing at the facility.
8 District 1199P, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Em-
ployees, AFL–CIO.
9 The problems Ritz addressed on the forms concerned broken cof-
feepots, the facility code of conduct and the disciplinary point sys-
tem, and the stocking of linen carts.
10 Storall Mfg. Co., supra.
11 Wright Line, 251 NLRB 1083 (1980), enfd. 662 F.2d 899 (1st
Cir. 1981), cert. denied 455 U.S. 989 (1982).
12 Service Employees International Union, Local 606, AFL–CIO.
13 The Respondent has not excepted to the administrative law
judge’s finding that Kirven was unlawfully disciplined and threat-
ened by then-DON Jajuana Brunk when Kirven’s picture appeared
on a prounion flyer in November 1986.
meeting.6 We find merit in the General Counsel’s ex-
ception.
An employer is obligated under Section 8(d) to meet
and discuss grievances presented by the collective-bar-
gaining representative in a sincere effort to resolve the
grievance, notwithstanding the absence of a collective-
bargaining agreement incorporating a grievance proce-
dure. Storall Mfg. Co., 275 NLRB 220, 221 (1985),
enfd. 786 F.2d 1169 (8th Cir. 1986). The record sup-
ports the judge’s finding that Adams, who had been ar-
rested for trespassing at the facility during the recently
concluded organizing campaign and faced with
Northey’s response that she would meet only with Vin-
cent alone, reluctantly opted not to press the issue in
the interest of seeing the meeting go forward.7 The
record also reveals that Adams accompanied Vincent
to the facility but waited in his car, and that Vincent
again unsuccessfully requested Adams’ presence at the
meeting. Under the circumstances, the Respondent’s
argument that Northey merely stated a preference for
meeting alone with Vincent and did not refuse to meet
with Adams is without merit. Accordingly, we find
that Northey’s refusal to meet with Adams constitutes
a violation of Section 8(a)(5) and (1).
B. Fayette Health Care Center
The union8 organizing campaign at this Uniontown,
Pennsylvania facility began in June 1986. Following an
election, the Union was certified as the exclusive bar-
gaining representative of the service and maintenance
employees on December 3, 1986.
In March 1987, while the parties were in the process
of negotiating their first collective-bargaining agree-
ment, Union Representative Ashley Adams prepared
what he called ‘‘problem-solving forms’’ on which the
employees could document problems and present them
to management. In mid-March 1987, union delegate
Patricia Ritz, a nurses aide at the facility, completed
three forms and asked the ADON to give them to Fa-
cility Administrator James Filippone.9 Filippone admits
that he looked at them, tore them up, and gave them
back to the ADON, instructing her to tell Ritz that
‘‘[he] will not have this shit in the building.’’
The judge found that, although Filippone’s conduct
constituted ‘‘ungentlemanly behavior,’’ it did not rise
to the level of an unfair labor practice and dismissed
the allegation. The General Counsel argues that
Filippone’s conduct constituted a refusal to consider
grievances in violation of Section 8(a)(5) and (1). We
find merit in the General Counsel’s exception.
As discussed above, an employer’s obligation under
Section 8(d) to meet and discuss grievances is not con-
fined to circumstances in which the parties have em-
bodied a negotiated grievance procedure in their col-
lective-bargaining agreement.10 The Respondent does
not dispute that Ritz was an employee representative of
the Union or that the grievances submitted by her were
legitimate. Rather, the Respondent argues that
Filippone merely refused to recognize the form on
which the grievances were submitted but did not refuse
to address the underlying grievances.
Filippone’s response to the grievances submitted by
Ritz did not draw the fine distinction urged on us by
the Respondent. In fact, Filippone admits the events as
found by the judge, and the record discloses that it was
some time after he had returned the forms to the
ADON with his ‘‘ungentlemanly’’ message that he
was told by Human Resources Representative Hugh
Gregg to respond to the grievances. Thus there is no
merit to the Respondent’s argument that Filippone did
not refuse to discuss the grievances but merely ob-
jected to the form on which those grievances were
written.
We find, therefore, that the Respondent violated
Section 8(a)(5) and (1) when Administrator Filippone
tore up and returned the problem-solving forms sub-
mitted to him by Ritz.
C. Claystone Manor
The judge found that the Respondent violated Sec-
tion 8(a)(3) and (1) when it discharged nurses aide
Denise Kirven on March 19, 1987. The Respondent
has excepted to this finding. For the reasons set forth
below, we find that the Respondent would have dis-
charged Kirven even absent her union activity and
therefore dismiss this allegation.11
The Union12 began organizing this facility, located
in Ennis, Texas, in the fall of 1986. Kirven was very
active in the Union’s organizing efforts, which ended
unsuccessfully when the Union lost the election on De-
cember 19, 1986.13
On March 19, 1987, Acting DON Beth Howze ter-
minated Kirven for insubordination and for spreading
false and malicious rumors about Howze and others,
including an accusation that Howze was a witch who
225BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
14 Massey testified that he asked Kirven to check the patients on
her floor, because state health department inspectors were conducting
an inspection of the facility. Kirven told him to ‘‘quit hassling me.
My hallway’s okay. There’s not any problem with it.’’ When
Massey asked her to cooperate and double check anyway, Kirven
threw her clipboard on the nurses station desk and stomped away.
The health department found several violations on Kirven’s floor.
15 Maxey testified that he wrote Kirven up on January 5 because
he was told to do so by the acting DON, Tim Massey, but had in-
tended to remove it from her file after speaking with Administrator
Mahoney.
practiced witchcraft on the patients. The judge found
that this reason for Kirven’s discharge ‘‘was so silly
that no reasonable person could believe she was fired
for that reason’’ and concluded that Kirven had been
discharged for her union activity in violation of Sec-
tion 8(a)(3) and (1).
The Respondent contends that the judge ignored
Kirven’s prior instances of insubordination toward
Howze and others and relied inappropriately on the
witchcraft allegation. The Respondent argues that two
other incidents of insubordination, on January 5 and 6,
in addition to the four counselling sessions Howze had
with Kirven in the weeks before her discharge and
complaints about Kirven from other employees, war-
ranted the Respondent’s action. We find merit in the
Respondent’s exception.
On January 5, 1987, Kirven was issued a warning
for insubordination by Steve Maxey, then the activities
director at the facility, when she became ‘‘belligerent’’
toward him and told him he was exceeding his author-
ity. The following day, January 6, 1987, Kirven was
written up by ADON Tim Massey, also for insubor-
dination.14 Kirven was unaware of the existence of the
January 5 and 6 warnings.
On February 27, Kirven received a warning for pa-
tient neglect. Her receipt of this warning prompted
Kirven to review her personnel file whereupon she dis-
covered the warnings dated January 5 and 6. Kirven
then called a ‘‘hot line’’ to corporate headquarters to
complain that she had not seen the warnings in her file
and asked that Human Resources Manager Roger
Everett return her call. He never did.
The judge found that the only legitimate warning in
Kirven’s file was the written warning given to Kirven
on February 27 for patient neglect. He apparently dis-
regarded the two prior incidents of insubordination on
January 5 and 6 because Kirven had not been informed
that she had been written up. We note, however, that
Kirven did not deny the conduct for which she re-
ceived the January 5 and 6 warnings, but stated that
she did not recall the incidents. Thus, while we agree
that the Respondent should have apprised Kirven of
the warnings, we cannot say that they were not legiti-
mately given.15
Regardless of these warnings, the record discloses
that the Respondent would have discharged Kirven
even absent her union activity. Howze testified that she
had spoken to Kirven about performance-related mat-
ters on four occasions in the weeks prior to Kirven’s
discharge on March 19. On two occasions, shortly
after Howze became DON on March 1, 1987, she
spoke to Kirven about patients who had not been
shaved, bathed, or cleaned. Kirven’s response on both
occasions was to apologize and say she would try to
do better. On the third occasion, however, Howze
called Kirven into her office and told her that the pa-
tients were not being cared for. Kirven responded by
slamming her hand on Howze’s desk and said, ‘‘you
stay out of my face, you stay off my case. You don’t
tell me what to do. I’ll do it when I get time to do
it and if you’re going to watch me do it, I won’t do
it.’’ Howze testified that she did not write Kirven up
for the outburst but chose instead ‘‘to give her a
chance.’’
The fourth incident occurred just a few days before
Kirven was discharged. Howze again called Kirven
into the office and stated that she had talked to Kirven
too many times before and that Kirven had to do her
work. Kirven kicked the wall and said, ‘‘Fuck you.
Kiss the red part of my ass. You don’t tell me what
to do. You’re not my boss, Steve [Maxey] is my boss
and Steve will tell me what to do.’’ Then Kirven left
the office and slammed the door behind her. Kirven
did not testify about these incidents.
Howze went immediately to Steve Maxey’s office.
Maxey, who had been the facility’s activity director,
was serving as acting administrator during the illness
of Administrator Mahoney. Howze told Maxey of the
incident and said she wanted to write Kirven up.
Maxey persuaded Howze not to discipline Kirven and
said he would talk to her.
Viewed in this context, the events of March 18 pro-
vided ample justification for Kirven’s discharge. On
that morning Howze overheard Kirven telling four
other aides that Howze was a wicked old witch who
practiced witchcraft on her patients and other employ-
ees. A short time later Howze saw Kirven coming out
of Maxey’s office. According to Howze, Kirven looked
at her and said, ‘‘I just got you in trouble’’ and rolled
her eyes. When Howze asked her to explain herself,
Kirven ignored her and walked away. Howze returned
to her office to find another nurses aide, Anne Toney,
there to complain that she (Toney) had overheard
Kirven spreading malicious rumors about her to an-
other employee. Howze wrote the warning and decided
to fire Kirven after reviewing her file.
The judge improperly relied only on the witchcraft
incident to conclude that the Respondent’s discharge of
Kirven was pretextual. The union campaign ended in
defeat on December 19, 1986, and there is no indica-
tion that Howze, who made the decision to terminate
Kirven, was aware of Kirven’s activities at the time.
226 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
16 See Wright Line, supra.
17 At the time, the employees were represented by Torrington Ex-
tend-A-Care Employee Association. The Association affiliated with
District 1199, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employ-
ees, AFL–CIO on September 30, 1988.
18 Pool nurses are nursing staff employees hired on a per diem
basis through a temporary staffing agency.
19 The judge did not order a remedy for the violation, however,
in view of the fact that the parties had reached agreement on a new
collective-bargaining agreement.
20 See Empire Terminal Warehouse Co., 151 NLRB 1359 (1965),
enfd. sub nom. Teamsters Local 745 v. NLRB, 355 F.2d 842 (D.C.
Cir. 1966); E. I. DuPont & Co., 276 NLRB 335 (1985); Advertisers
Mfg. Co., 275 NLRB 100 (1985).
We note that Howze, a newcomer to the facility in No-
vember 1986, was a charge nurse during the campaign,
worked on a shift different from that of Kirven, and
did not participate in any management discussions con-
cerning the Union. Howze became ADON at the end
of January 1987 and was promoted to DON on March
1, 1987. All the incidents between Howze and Kirven
occurred in the roughly 3-week period during which
Howze, as DON, supervised Kirven.
On the basis of the unrebutted testimony of Howze,
therefore, we find that the Respondent would have dis-
charged Kirven even absent her union activity and dis-
miss this allegation of the complaint.16
D. Torrington Extend-A-Care Nursing Home
The Respondent purchased this facility in 1987 and,
with some modifications, adopted the existing collec-
tive-bargaining agreement, including a provision to re-
open negotiations on wages, in the spring of 1988.
Pursuant to this provision, the Union17 submitted its
wage proposal and the parties began negotiations on
June 3, 1988.
The Respondent’s negotiator, Labor Relations Rep-
resentative George Ulrich, began the June 3 session by
rejecting the Union’s proposal as too high and
launched into a lengthy speech on the Respondent’s fi-
nancial condition. In particular, Ulrich stated that the
Respondent ‘‘was not going under but was having
trouble staying afloat,’’ and told the Union that people
were being laid off nationwide and that vice presidents
were being demoted. In addition, Ulrich gave the
Union several newspaper articles and press releases
which portrayed the Respondent as being in financial
trouble, and told the Union that virtually all the Re-
spondent’s facilities were up for sale. Ulrich followed
this dismal assessment of the Respondent’s financial
condition with a proposal for a wage freeze.
The Union responded by requesting information
concerning Beverly’s financial condition, including
cash flow and income statements and balance sheets
from October 1985. In addition, the Union requested
documents reflecting the amount the facility spends
monthly on ‘‘pool nurses’’18 broken down by hourly
rate and agency fee. (Facility Administrator Chris
Smith had promised to turn over the ‘‘pool nurses’’ in-
formation at the June 3 meeting.) The Respondent re-
fused to provide any of the requested information.
The judge found that the Respondent, through
Ulrich, had pleaded the ‘‘functional equivalent of in-
ability to pay’’ when he discussed Beverly’s financial
condition at the June 3 meeting. Citing NLRB v. Truitt
Mfg. Co., 351 U.S. 149 (1956), the judge therefore
concluded that the Union’s request for financial infor-
mation was appropriate and that the Respondent vio-
lated Section 8(a)(5) and (1) by refusing to turn over
the requested information.19
The Respondent excepts to the judge’s finding that
it violated Section 8(a)(5) and (1) by refusing to turn
over the requested financial information. The Respond-
ent argues that the judge’s finding cannot stand in the
face of Ulrich’s specific denial that he was claiming
that the Respondent was unable to pay the Union’s
proposed wage increase. Rather, the Respondent ar-
gues, Ulrich did no more than present evidence of the
Respondent’s difficult financial times in support of his
good faith in proposing a wage freeze. We find merit
in the Respondent’s exception.
In Nielsen Lithographing, 305 NLRB 697 (1991),
we recently had occasion to consider the obligation of
an employer to disclose financial information of the
kind sought here in light of the Supreme Court’s deci-
sion in Truitt and the Board decisions which followed.
In Nielsen the union sought financial information to
verify the company’s claim, made during negotiations,
that it was at a competitive disadvantage and needed
concessions in employee compensation and benefits.
The company maintained that, while it was still mak-
ing a profit, it needed concessions in order to compete
because the costs of the contract were resulting in a
significant loss of business to competitors, and that
trends indicated that, in the future, labor cost items
would force higher prices. Id.
In Nielsen we held that an employer who claims
only economic difficulty or business losses or the pros-
pect of layoffs, as opposed to a present or prospective
inability to pay during the life of the contract being ne-
gotiated, is not obligated under Section 8(d) to disclose
financial data to support its claim. We thus adhered to
the Board’s interpretation of Truitt that distinguishes
between employer’s claim that it cannot pay and
claims that it does not want to pay,20 and declined to
adopt a broader interpretation that would require the
production of financial information whenever an em-
ployer puts its financial condition in issue by justifying
its bargaining proposals on grounds of objectively veri-
fiable claims of unfavorable financial trends that could
result in job losses. On the record of that case, we con-
cluded that the company had indicated an unwilling-
ness, as opposed to an inability, to pay increased
wages during the life of the contract being negotiated
227BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
21 See Emery Industries, 268 NLRB 824, 825 (1984); Adams Insu-
lation Co., 219 NLRB 211, 214 (1975).
22 The cases cited by the Respondent (Emery Industries, supra, and
Adams Insulation Co., supra) are not to the contrary, for each of
those cases involved broad requests for information the relevance of
which was not readily apparent from the surrounding circumstances.
We agree with the judge, however, that we need not order the Re-
spondent to turn over the particular requested pool nurses informa-
tion in view of the fact that the parties have reached agreement on
the contract.
23 The following Beverly cases are:
1. Beverly Manor Convalescent Centers, 242 NLRB 751 (1979),
enf. denied and remanded 661 F.2d 1095 (6th Cir. 1981), reaffd. 264
NLRB 966 (1982), remanded 727 F.2d 591 (6th Cir. 1984), reaffd.
275 NLRB 943 (1985).
2. Beverly Manor Convalescent Hospital, 247 NLRB 391 (1980),
enfd. 659 F.2d 1089 (9th Cir. 1981).
3. Beverly Manor Convalescent Hospital, 250 NLRB 355 (1980).
4. Hillview Convalescent Center, 266 NLRB 758 (1983).
5. Beverly Enterprises, 272 NLRB 83 (1984).
6. Beverly Manor of Reading, 276 NLRB No. 125 (1983), re-
scinded by unpublished Board Order January 9, 1986.
7. Maple Grove Convalescent Home, 274 NLRB 1102 (1985).
8. Cumberland Nursing Center, 263 NLRB 428 (1982).
9. Hale Nani Health Center, 279 NLRB 242 (1986).
10. Leisure Lodge, 279 NLRB 327 (1986).
11. Parkview Gardens Care Center, 280 NLRB 47 (1986).
12. Fountainview Place, 281 NLRB 26 (1986).
13. Provincial House Living Center, 287 NLRB 158 (1987).
14. Beverly Manor of Monroeville, 286 NLRB 1084 (1987).
15. Fayette Health Care Center, 286 NLRB No. 105 (1987) (not
reported in Board volumes).
and thus was not obligated under Section 8(d) to
produce the requested financial data.
In this case, as in Nielsen, the Respondent’s nego-
tiator, Ulrich, painted a rather bleak picture of the Re-
spondent’s financial condition and referred generally to
people being laid off ‘‘nationwide.’’ Nothing Ulrich
said at the June 3 meeting, however, could fairly be
read by the Union as a claim that the Respondent
could not pay the proposed wage increase. Indeed, on
the record here the most that can be said about
Ulrich’s presentation is that the Respondent was not as
profitable as it once had been. Thus, under the cir-
cumstances of this case, we conclude that the Re-
spondent did not violate Section 8(a)(5) and (1) by re-
fusing to provide the Union with the requested finan-
cial information.
The Respondent also contends that it was not obli-
gated to provide the Union with the information con-
cerning ‘‘pool nurses’’ because the Union did not ade-
quately and contemporaneously explain the relevancy
of its request.21 The record discloses that, at the June
3 bargaining session, the Union’s negotiator, Ruth
Pudla, asked the Respondent to provide the state reim-
bursement rates and the per diem rates charged to the
Respondent by the temporary agencies which provide
nurses to the facility on a per diem basis. That same
day, the facility administrator, Chris Smith, gave Pudla
a copy of the reimbursement rates and agreed to pro-
vide the pool nurses information. Pudla testified with-
out contradiction that, at the end of the session, she re-
minded Ulrich and Smith to provide the pool nurses
information as soon as possible and, when the informa-
tion was not forthcoming, included the item with her
request for financial data.
The Respondent now argues that it was under no ob-
ligation to provide the information concerning pool
nurses because the Union had not specified the rel-
evancy of the information at the June 3 meeting. We
disagree.
An employer is obligated to furnish requested infor-
mation where the circumstances surrounding the re-
quest are reasonably calculated to put the employer on
notice of a relevant purpose which the union has not
specifically spelled out. Brazos Electric Power, 241
NLRB 1016, 1018 (1979). We find that the cir-
cumstances surrounding the request for pool nurses in-
formation put the Respondent on notice of the rel-
evance of the requested information.
Pool nursing staff perform bargaining unit work at
the facility at a rate, the Union suspected, that was
higher than the Respondent paid to bargaining unit em-
ployees. It seems obvious, therefore, that the Union
was seeking to bolster its proposed wage increase by
persuading the Respondent to reduce its demand for
pool nurses by attracting and keeping regular staff with
higher wages. Furthermore, the facility administrator,
without objection from Ulrich, readily agreed to pro-
vide the information during the June 3 session, appar-
ently recognizing the obvious relevance of the informa-
tion to the negotiations at hand.
Even at the second negotiating session on June 17,
after the Respondent had received the Union’s infor-
mation request, Ulrich did not dispute the relevance of
the pool nurses information. He merely denied that
Smith had the authority to bind the Respondent and
stated that he had to discuss the request with his supe-
riors. Thus, contrary to the Respondent’s assertions, we
find that the relevance of the pool nurses information
was readily apparent from the context of the negotia-
tions and that the Respondent was on constructive, if
not actual, notice of such relevance.
Accordingly, we find that the Respondent violated
Section 8(a)(5) and (1) by refusing to provide the
Union with the pool nurses information it requested.22
III.
The judge recommended that a broad order apply to,
and the notice accordingly be posted at, all the Re-
spondent’s facilities nationwide, and not be limited to
the 33 facilities in which violations were found in this
case. In recommending the broad corporatewide order,
the judge considered the 15 prior reported cases which
have come before the Board23 and more than 100 mer-
itorious cases filed between 1983 and 1986, which
have been the subject of formal or informal settlement.
228 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
24 Hickmott Foods, 242 NLRB 1357 (1979).
25 The Respondent also contends that the judge improperly relied
on the 15 prior reported Board cases, 9 of which it claims involved
solely representation issues and subsequent tests of certification, and
2 others which it claims involved either de minimis violations or
such limited conduct as to warrant narrow cease-and-desist orders.
Further, the Respondent argues that the judge improperly considered
the ‘‘over 100 meritorious cased filed against the Respondent be-
tween 1983 and 1986’’ as in violation of the General Counsel’s
agreement not to rely on those cases in this litigation.
While we note that the Respondent itself introduced the list of set-
tled cases as an exhibit in the litigation, we do not rely on them in
our determination that the Respondent has shown a proclivity to vio-
late the Act so as to justify the broad remedy here.
26 The General Counsel argues that this pattern is ‘‘characterized
by delaying tactics in contract negotiations and grievance handling
matters, a persistent refusal to provide clearly relevant and necessary
information, a refusal to execute an agreed-upon contract, and unilat-
eral changes.’’
He found that the Respondent has demonstrated a pro-
clivity to violate the Act and has engaged in such
widespread and egregious conduct as to demonstrate a
general disregard for the employees’ fundamental stat-
utory rights.24 In determining that the extraordinary
remedy was appropriate, the judge also considered the
Respondent’s admitted single-employer status with all
its facilities and the fact that managers above the facil-
ity level were involved in all the union organizing
campaigns and collective-bargaining negotiations.
A. The Positions of the Parties
The Respondent seeks to limit the scope of the rem-
edy to the individual facilities involved in this litiga-
tion, contending that a broad corporatewide order is
beyond the scope of the Board’s remedial authority
under Section 10(c) and that it is punitive in nature.
The Respondent also argues that the judge based his
extraordinary remedy solely ‘‘on the numbers’’ and
failed to consider the relatively small number of facili-
ties involved, the absence of geographic proximity
among the facilities at issue, the relatively small num-
ber of employees involved, and the allegedly punitive
impact of the order on the Respondent’s other 950
homes.25
The Respondent argues that a corporatewide order is
improper where, as here, there is no evidence that any
manager above the facility level orchestrated the con-
duct found to be unfair labor practices or that the Re-
spondent disseminated the conduct to other facilities in
an effort to chill the employees’ exercise of their Sec-
tion 7 rights at those facilities. Thus, the Respondent
argues that the corporatewide order penalizes the Re-
spondent for its efforts to control and train facility
managers to conform to the requirements of the Act.
The Respondent further argues that the remedy is de-
signed, not to remedy the unfair labor practices found,
but to deter future violations, and is thus punitive in
nature. Finally, the Respondent argues that a
corporatewide order effectively denies the Respondent
its statutory right to seek appeal of representation
issues because of the threat that a corporatewide con-
tempt citation would issue.
In support of the broad corporatewide order, the
General Counsel contends that the Respondent has
demonstrated a proclivity to violate the Act by its con-
duct found to be unlawful in this litigation, including
‘‘hallmark’’ violations of threats of job loss and other
retaliatory action for employee union activities during
organizing campaigns. Furthermore, the General Coun-
sel argues that the extraordinary remedy is warranted
in view of the Respondent’s seeming pattern of dis-
charging union proponents, during or after union orga-
nizing campaigns, and by the Respondent’s display of
what the General Counsel calls ‘‘a pattern of pro-
longed and repeated resistance to the obligations of
good-faith collective bargaining.’’26 Finally, the Gen-
eral Counsel argues that the Respondent’s centralized
control of labor relations necessitates such extraor-
dinary relief, noting that human relations representa-
tives were dispatched from its division or corporate
headquarters to serve as ‘‘campaign managers’’ at the
facility in response to union organizing activity, and
that labor relations representatives were dispatched to
serve as chief spokespersons for the Respondent in all
dealings with the various Unions that were certified or
recognized as collective-bargaining representatives of
its employees.
B. The Appropriate Remedy
As noted above, this consolidated case concerns vio-
lations which occurred primarily over a 2-year period
from the summer of 1986 through the spring of 1988.
During that period the Respondent committed some
135 unfair labor practices at 32 of the 35 facilities here
at issue. For the reasons set forth below, we find, in
agreement with the judge, that the Respondent has
demonstrated a proclivity to violate the Act and that a
broad corporatewide cease-and-desist order will best
effectuate the purposes of the Act. Hickmott Foods,
242 NLRB 1357 (1979); UARCO, Inc., 286 NLRB 55
(1987). See also J. P. Stevens & Co., 247 NLRB 420
(1980); Florida Steel Corp., 244 NLRB 395 (1979),
reversed and remanded 646 F.2d 616 (D.C. Cir. 1981),
reaffd. 262 NLRB 1460 (1982), enfd. in pertinent part
713 F.2d 828 (D.C. Cir. 1983); S. E. Nichols, Inc.,
284 NLRB 556 (1987), enfd. 862 F.2d 952 (2d Cir.
1988).
The Respondent admits that it is a single employer
with all its operating divisions and individual facilities,
and the record discloses that the Respondent exercises
centralized control over labor relations policies at the
facilities. To that end, the Respondent centrally pre-
pares employee handbooks to be distributed to employ-
229BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
27 For example, Judith Mollinger, the Respondent’s labor relations
representative for the Heritage and Eastern Divisions who acted as
chief negotiator for several facilities involved in this litigation, testi-
fied that she and two of her colleagues from other divisions reported
directly to Labor Relations Supervisor Ken Sanders in Chicago. The
other two labor relations representatives reported to Supervisor Steve
Ronillo in Texas. Sanders and Ronillo reported to the corporate head
of labor relations, Jim Paxton, in California.
28 The division lines, themselves, were fluid. For example, the
Heritage Division was merged with the Eastern Division in February
1987. Staff of the former Heritage Division were either laid off (as
in the case of Judith Mollinger) or transferred to the Eastern Divi-
sion (as in the case of Hugh Gregg).
29 At the other nine facilities at which violations were found, the
Respondent enjoyed existing collective-bargaining relationships with
the Unions.
30 For example, the Respondent unlawfully discharged employee
Joyce Garmon less than 2 weeks after she argued with the Respond-
ent’s corporate supervisor for labor relations, Steve Ronillo, at the
negotiating table for Colonial Nursing Home. Similarly, while nego-
tiations were underway at the Respondent’s North Park facility, it
unlawfully transferred Mabel Dart, and unlawfully disciplined Joyce
Kircher, both members of the negotiating committee. At Meyersdale
Manor the Respondent unlawfully disciplined a member of the nego-
tiating committee and at Pond Point it discharged a probationary em-
ployee for complaining to a steward about working conditions.
ees at the facilities and, for facility management’s use,
a manual containing personnel policies and procedures.
The record establishes that the Respondent has in-
structed its facility managers to inform it of the first
sign of union organizing activity at the facility, on
which the Respondent dispatches a human relations
representative from division headquarters to act as the
Respondent’s campaign manager for the duration of
the union organizing drive. Furthermore, the record
shows that labor or industrial relations representatives,
based at the Respondent’s division headquarters,
served as chief negotiators at all collective-bargaining
negotiations, responded to all requests for information,
and handled all grievances above the second step.
It cannot be said, however, that each division con-
ducted its own separate and distinctive labor relations
policy. Thus, the record shows that management rep-
resentatives in contract negotiations or grievance reso-
lution above the second step received their instructions
not only from vice presidents at the division level, but
also from the national corporate headquarters.27 Fur-
thermore, labor relations representatives frequently
were transferred from one division to another. For ex-
ample, Abe Emery testified that he worked as a labor
relations representative in nearly all the Respondent’s
divisions.28
The Respondent contends, however, that the guid-
ance from above—for example, the human resources
representatives dispatched at the first sign of orga-
nizing activities to serve as campaign managers—
should count in its favor, rather than serve as a basis
for a nationwide order. This guidance was provided, it
argues, only to ensure that facility management per-
sonnel ran lawful campaigns. Whatever might be said
for this defense if we were presented with a pattern of
generally lawful campaigns and subsequent good-faith
bargaining in those instances in which the unions were
certified as the employees’ bargaining representatives,
it does not suffice here. What emerges from this record
is a pattern of unlawful resistance to organizing cam-
paigns—some 120 unfair labor practices committed in
the course of responding to union organizing cam-
paigns at 23 facilities—and repeated resistance to its
obligation to deal with a collective-bargaining rep-
resentative in good faith at those facilities in which
unions won elections and those facilities with incum-
bent Unions at the time the Respondent acquired
them.29
The unfair labor practices committed in response to
organizing campaigns included unlawful no-solici-
tation/no-distribution rules, threats, promises or grants
of benefits, interrogations, surveillance of union activi-
ties, and imposition of more onerous working condi-
tions in retaliation for employees’ support of the union.
Most notably, the Respondent used disciplinary meas-
ures or discharges to punish employees for their union
support either during the organizing campaigns or
shortly after elections. In particular, 27 employees at
11 facilities were unlawfully discharged, refused re-
hire, or removed from their jobs for their activities on
behalf of the Union. At least 14 employees at various
facilities were the recipients of unlawful disciplinary or
retaliatory actions because they supported efforts to or-
ganize their facilities. Regardless whether the retalia-
tory measures occurred during the heat of the cam-
paign or shortly after elections, the Respondent con-
veyed the message to employees that it will not tol-
erate union activity at its facilities and that those who
exercise their statutory right to seek and support a col-
lective-bargaining representative will be dealt with se-
verely.
As noted, the Respondent’s disregard for its employ-
ees’ statutory rights continued in its dealings with the
collective-bargaining representatives selected by its
employees. Both at facilities in which a union had won
the election in spite of the Respondent’s unlawful re-
sistance, and those in which there was a union incum-
bent when the Respondent acquired the facility, the
Respondent engaged in such forms of bad-faith bar-
gaining as refusal to process grievances, refusal to pro-
vide information relevant and necessary to the Union’s
performance of its collective-bargaining responsibil-
ities, and refusal to execute a collective-bargaining
agreement. In several facilities, the Respondent pun-
ished employee negotiators or those seeking the assist-
ance of their bargaining representative with unlawful
discharges or other discipline.30
As noted earlier, the numerous unfair labor practices
were not solely the actions of individuals at the facility
level acting independently. Some of the unfair labor
230 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
31 As noted above, the Heritage Division was merged with the
Eastern Division in February 1987.
32 These examples are by no means exhaustive, nor can the Re-
spondent argue that they are isolated instances not reflective of the
Respondent’s policies. In a prior case involving a union organizing
campaign at one of the Respondent’s facilities in the Southern Divi-
sion, the director of personnel for that division interrogated employ-
ees, solicited grievances, threatened employees with discharge, cre-
ated the impression of surveillance, unlawfully disciplined an active
union supporter, and discriminatorily denied maternity leave. Beverly
Enterprises, 272 NLRB 83 (1984).
33 The administrator testified that, when he made the decision to
terminate the employee, he had consulted with a division official.
34 See Beverly Enterprises, supra.
35 See NLRB v. Lummus Co., 210 F.2d 377, 381 (5th Cir. 1954);
NLRB v. Mine Workers District 2, 202 F.2d 177, 179 (3d Cir. 1953);
NLRB v. Salant & Salant, Inc., 183 F.2d 462, 465 (6th Cir. 1950).
36 Board Memorandum Describing the Authority and Assigned Re-
sponsibilities of the General Counsel of the National Labor Rela-
tions Board (effective Apr. 1, 1955), 20 Fed.Reg. 2175 (1955)
(‘‘[T]he General Counsel will initiate . . . contempt proceedings
pertaining to the enforcement of or compliance with any order of the
Board only upon approval of the Board.’’)
practices were committed by agents of the Respondent
from division or corporate headquarters, and even in
the case of those committed by facility supervisors, it
is clear that few were carried out without at least the
knowledge of managers above the facility level, if not
their direct involvement and approval.
For example, Heritage Division31 Human Resources
Representative Hugh Gregg threatened employees with
discharge and made good on the threat when he dis-
charged 17 employees at the Fayette Health Care Cen-
ter for wearing union buttons just days before the elec-
tion and Heritage Division Vice President Ken Cess
threatened employees at Beverly Manor of Monroeville
that ‘‘if they thought things were bad now, they should
vote for the Union and they would see how bad it
could get.’’32 When Gregg discharged the so-called
‘‘Fayetteville 17,’’ he consulted first with George Put-
nam, the Heritage Division vice president for human
resources, who approved the discharge. At Carpenter
Care Center, the administrator told an unlawfully dis-
charged employee that, ‘‘if it were up to them, her
[unblemished work performance] record would count
but that it was out of [their] hands.’’33 Also at that fa-
cility, the administrator told an employee that, because
she was a 10-year employee, the chairman of the board
in California would have to approve her discharge; he
proceeded to unlawfully suspend her instead. At other
facilities, the administrators testified that they had con-
sulted with their regional managers in determining that
employees should be discharged.
Finally, virtually all the violations of Section 8(a)(5)
were committed directly by labor relations representa-
tives, dispatched from the divisions, and other man-
agers above the facility level. As noted above, all bar-
gaining was conducted by the labor relations represent-
atives, and all requests for information were forwarded
directly to them. In some cases, officials from cor-
porate headquarters themselves ruled on the informa-
tion requests, refusing to provide the information until
forced to do so.
The Respondent seeks to minimize the significance
of the ample evidence of division-level and head-
quarters responsibility for the unfair labor practices
found here by arguing that its facilities are spread out
across the nation and that a large portion of the viola-
tions found in this case occurred at facilities in Penn-
sylvania and Michigan. This argument does not per-
suade us that only an order confined either to the par-
ticular facilities involved here or to those two geo-
graphic areas is appropriate. We note first, as did the
judge, that facilities from all the Respondent’s geo-
graphic divisions were involved either in this litigation
or in a prior case.34 That most of the violations have
occurred in Pennsylvania and Michigan may well be
explained by the fact that it was primarily the employ-
ees at those facilities who sought to exercise their right
to organize. The evidence, noted above, of frequent
managerial transfers among divisions and labor rela-
tions guidance from corporate headquarters is a suffi-
cient indication that, if undeterred, the Respondent will
continue its pattern of unlawful conduct in response to
union activity wherever it may occur among the Re-
spondent’s 850 facilities which have yet to be the
locus of organizing campaigns.35 Thus, there is no rea-
son to await evidence that reports of the Respondent’s
demonstrated hostility to the exercise of Section 7
rights have been disseminated to facilities where em-
ployees have not yet sought to exercise such rights. A
broad corporatewide order is appropriate now to ensure
that all those employees may exercise their rights, if
they so choose, without retaliation from the Respond-
ent’s managers.
Finally, we find no merit in the Respondent’s argu-
ment that the corporatewide order effectively denies
the Respondent its statutory right to seek appeal of
representation issues. Contrary to the Respondent’s as-
sertion, the decision to institute a contempt proceeding
rests finally with the Board,36 not the General Counsel,
and it is not our intention that this order foreclose the
Respondent from nonfrivolous efforts to seek judicial
review of Board decisions in representation cases. In
any event, the Respondent’s suggestion that the Gen-
eral Counsel would seek contempt for a technical
8(a)(5) challenge of the Board’s representation deci-
sion ‘‘given [the General Counsel’s] underlying ration-
ale in this proceeding’’ is entirely speculative. A re-
view of the Annual Reports of the National Labor Re-
lations Board for fiscal years 1985 through 1989 re-
veals no case in which the Board has sought contempt
in a technical 8(a)(5) representation case, nor has the
Respondent directed our attention to any such case.
231BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
37 See, e.g., J. P. Stevens & Co., supra; Florida Steel, supra.
38 Provincial House Living Center, 287 NLRB 158 (1987);
Parkview Gardens Care Center, 280 NLRB 47 (1986); Leisure
Lodge, 279 NLRB 327 (1986); Beverly Enterprises, supra.
In sum, the remedy we impose is not punitive, nor
is it inconsistent with prior Board decisions in which
the employers have engaged in a prolonged course of
unlawful conduct designed to thwart their employees’
free exercise of their Section 7 rights.37 It is designed
specifically to address what this and earlier litigation38
reveal to be the Respondent’s pattern of thwarting
union organizing campaigns and otherwise dis-
regarding the fundamental statutory rights of its em-
ployees with a gamut of unfair labor practices. It will
best effectuate the policies of the Act and protect the
fundamental statutory rights of workers at other facili-
ties.
Accordingly, we adopt the recommendation of the
judge and order the Respondent to comply with the
terms of this order at all its facilities nationwide.
ORDER
The National Labor Relations Board adopts the rec-
ommended Order of the administrative law judge as
modified below and orders that the Respondent, Bev-
erly Enterprises, Pasadena, California, its officers,
agents, successors, and assigns, shall
1. Cease and desist from
(a) Threatening employees with discipline or more
onerous working conditions because of their union ac-
tivity or other concerted protected activity.
(b) Threatening employees with loss of benefits if
they select a union to represent them.
(c) Threatening employees with discharge because
of their union activity or other protected concerted ac-
tivity.
(d) Threatening employees with reprisal for testi-
fying at a Board hearing.
(e) Threatening to close or sell a facility if the em-
ployees select the Union as their collective-bargaining
representative.
(f) Threatening to withhold a wage increase because
employees selected the Union as their collective-bar-
gaining representative.
(g) Threatening employees that if they engage in a
strike, they will not be permitted to visit close relatives
who are residents at the facility.
(h) Threatening employees with the futility in select-
ing a union.
(i) Forbidding or attempting to forbid employees
from engaging in lawful solicitation or distribution on
behalf of a union on or off its property and during
nonworking time or in nonwork and/or nonpatient care
areas.
(j) Transferring employees to less desirable positions
because of their activities on behalf of the Union.
(k) Promising increased wages or benefits to induce
employees to defeat or decertify the Union.
(l) Refusing to provide tuition reimbursement or
other benefits to employees because of their activities
on behalf of the Union.
(m) Forbidding or restricting the activities of em-
ployee union representatives in nonwork and/or non-
patient care areas.
(n) Interrogating employees with regard to their
union activity or the union activity of others.
(o) Engaging in surveillance of employees’ union
activities or creating the impression of such surveil-
lance among employees.
(p) Discharging employees or imposing any discipli-
nary measures on employees including suspensions,
written warnings, oral warnings, or transfers because of
their activities on behalf of or support for a union or
their participating in other concerted protected activity.
(q) Issuing less favorable performance evaluations
because of their support for or activities on behalf of
a union.
(r) Failing and refusing to bargain in good faith with
a union selected by a majority of its employees as their
collective-bargaining representative.
(s) Unilaterally implementing changes in terms and
conditions of employment of employees without prior
notice to or affording an opportunity to bargain to the
Union selected as their collective-bargaining represent-
ative.
(t) Failing and refusing to supply any union rep-
resenting its employees, on request, with information
necessary and relevant to its collective-bargaining
functions.
(u) Failing and refusing to meet and bargain with a
union representing its employees concerning employ-
ees complaints and grievances.
(v) Assaulting union representatives or delegates.
(w) In any other manner interfering with, restraining,
or coercing its employees in the exercise of their Sec-
tion 7 rights.
2. Take the following affirmative action necessary to
effectuate the policies of the Act.
(a) Offer full reinstatement to their former positions
or, if those positions no longer exist, to substantially
equivalent positions (at different facilities if necessary),
without prejudice to their seniority and other rights and
privileges, the following employees:
Erika Evans (Carpenter Care Center), Lucille
Lucas (Duke Convalescent Center), Patricia
Chroninger (Beverly Manor of Reading), Suzanne
La Framboise (Meyersdale Manor), Jeraldine
Bubna (North Park Manor), Precious Beasley
(Four Chaplains Convalescent Center), Linda
Johnson (Provincial House Total Living Center),
Kim King (Adrian Health Care Center), Yvonne
Murine (Faith Haven Health Care Center), Elias
232 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
39 If this Order is enforced by a judgment of a United States court
of appeals, the words in the notice reading ‘‘Posted by Order of the
National Labor Relations Board’’ shall read ‘‘Posted Pursuant to a
Judgment of the United States Court of Appeals Enforcing an Order
of the National Labor Relations Board.’’
1 I would include in the Eastern Division those facilities that be-
came part of it pursuant to a merger with the former Heritage Divi-
sion in February 1987.
Pierre and Nicole Pierre (East Village Nursing
Home), Vicky Buker (Pond Point Convalescent
Center), Shirley Niswonger (Ridgeview Manor
Nursing Home), Janet Glenn, Debra Wiley and
Maggie Roper (Sycamore Village Nursing Home),
Joyce Garmon (Colonial Park Nursing Home).
(b) Make whole, commencing from the date of their
unlawful discharge or suspension as the case may be,
the employees listed in 2(a) above, the 17 employees
unlawfully discharged on September 15, 1986, but
later rehired at Fayette Health Care Center, and Marie
Meadow (Carpenter Care Center), Leonnette Curry
(Four Chaplains Convalescent Center), Deborah
Altemus (Richland Manor), and Charisee Bryant
(Ridgeview Manor Nursing Home) for any loss of pay
and other benefits suffered by them as a result of the
discrimination practiced against them. Backpay shall
be computed in accordance with F. W. Woolworth
Co., 90 NLRB 289 (1950), with interest computed as
set forth in New Horizons for the Retarded, 283 NLRB
1173 (1987).
(c) Remove from its files any references to the dis-
charges of the persons listed in 2(a) above and the un-
lawful disciplinary actions taken respectively against
Josephine Belice and Debbie Savelli (Beverly Manor
of Monroeville); Joann Clingan (Fayette Health Care
Center); Elaine Dukes (Mount Lebanon Manor Con-
valescent Center); Marie Meadow, Pamela Newell, and
Lynn Smith (Carpenter Care Center); Patricia Spangler
(Meyersdale Manor); Joyce Kircher (North Park
Manor); Immacula Joseph and Elias Pierre (East Vil-
lage Nursing Home); Malcom Campbell (Belleville
Nursing Home); and Denise Kirven (Claystone Manor)
and notify them in writing that this has been done and
that evidence of their unlawful discipline will not be
used as a basis for future personnel action against
them.
(d) Make whole, with interest, employee Diane
Mead for its unlawful denial of tuition reimbursement.
(e) Make whole, with interest, those employees at
Parkview Gardens Care Center adversely affected by
the unlawful implementation of the vacation buyout
program.
(f) On request, furnish to the applicable Union infor-
mation that is relevant and necessary to its role as ex-
clusive bargaining representative of the unit employ-
ees.
(g) On request, bargain in good faith concerning
wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of em-
ployment with any Union selected by its employees as
their collective-bargaining representative.
(h) Preserve and, on request, make available to the
Board or its agents for examination and copying, all
payroll records, social security payment records, time-
cards, personnel records and reports, and all other
records necessary to analyze the amount of backpay or
other moneys due under the terms of this Order.
(i) Post at all its facilities (which numbered 992 as
of the last day of hearings on December 13, 1989, but
which may be more or less at the time posting is re-
quired) copies of the attached notice marked ‘‘Appen-
dix.’’39 Copies of the notice, on forms provided by the
Regional Director for Region 6 after being signed by
the Respondent’s authorized representative, shall be
posted by the Respondent immediately upon receipt
and maintained for 60 consecutive days in conspicuous
places including all places where notices to employees
are customarily posted. Reasonable steps shall be taken
by Respondent to ensure that the notices are not al-
tered, defaced, or covered by any other material.
(j) Notify the Regional Director in writing within 20
days from the date of this Order what steps the Re-
spondent has taken to comply.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the representation elec-
tions at Four Chaplains Convalescent Center and
Parkview Manor Nursing Home be set aside and that
new elections be ordered and conducted by the Re-
gional Director for Region 7 and Region 30, respec-
tively, whenever the latter desires it to be appropriate.
MEMBER OVIATT, dissenting in part.
I agree with my colleagues in all respects, except for
the scope of the remedy. They adopt the judge’s rec-
ommendation for a remedial order embracing every fa-
cility in the nation owned by the Respondent, as urged
by the General Counsel. The Respondent contends that
this case involves nothing out of the ordinary and that
the Board should limit the order strictly to those facili-
ties in which violations of the Act have been found
thus far. I believe neither approach appropriately tai-
lors the remedy to the violations found.
I would grant an order embracing all facilities within
the Respondent’s Eastern Division and those individual
facilities in other divisions in which unfair labor prac-
tices have occurred. In addition, I would apply the
order to the activities of Eastern Division Human Re-
sources Representative Hugh Gregg, regardless of the
division in which he works.1
During a 2-year period, from summer 1986 through
spring 1988, the Respondent committed 135 unfair
labor practices at 32 of the 35 facilities covered in the
complaint. The Respondent instructed its facility man-
agers to inform it of the first sign of union organizing
activity at the facility. The Respondent then dispatched
233BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
2 See NLRB v. Lummus Co., 210 F.2d 377, 381 (5th Cir. 1954);
NLRB v. Mine Workers District 2, 202 F.2d 177, 179 (3d Cir. 1953);
NLRB v. Salant & Salant, Inc., 183 F.2d 462, 465 (6th Cir. 1950).
3 Cf. NLRB v. Ford Motor Co., 119 F.2d 326 (5th Cir. 1941);
Greenfield Mfg. Co., 199 NLRB 756, 757 fn. 7 (1972).
4 See S. E. Nichols, Inc., 284 NLRB 556, 560 (1987), enfd. 862
F.2d 952 (2d Cir. 1988); Delchamps, Inc., 244 NLRB 366, 378
(1979), enfd. 653 F.2d 225 (5th Cir. 1981); J. P. Stevens & Co., 157
Continued
a human resources representative from division head-
quarters to act as the Respondent’s campaign manager
for the duration of the union organizing drive. Simi-
larly, labor or industrial relations representatives based
at the Respondent’s division headquarters served as
chief negotiators at all collective-bargaining negotia-
tions, responded to all requests for information, and
handled all grievances above the second step.
Hugh Gregg, the human resources representative of
the Heritage Division (later merged into the Eastern
Division), threatened employees with discharge and did
discharge 17 employees at the Fayette Health Care
Center in Pennsylvania for wearing union buttons just
days before the election. In addition, Heritage Division
Vice President Ken Cess threatened employees at Bev-
erly Manor of Monroeville, also in Pennsylvania, that
‘‘if they thought things were bad now, they should
vote for the Union and . . . see how bad it could get.’’
Before Gregg discharged the so-called ‘‘Fayette 17,’’
he consulted with Heritage Division Vice President for
Human Resources George Putnam, who approved the
discharge.
In numerous instances, Eastern Division facility ad-
ministrators consulted with division officials before un-
lawfully discharging or otherwise disciplining employ-
ees. Virtually all of the 8(a)(5) violations were com-
mitted directly by labor relations representatives dis-
patched from the division headquarters and other man-
agers above the facility level.
Although it is true that facilities from all the Re-
spondent’s geographic divisions were the subject of
unfair labor practice findings in this litigation or in a
prior case, in this proceeding most of the violations oc-
curred in the Respondent’s Eastern Division. Thus, of
the 32 facilities at which violations were found, 22 are
in the Eastern Division. The remaining 10 facilities
where unfair labor practices occurred in this case are
scattered among 8 other States.
Given the extensive participation of the Eastern Di-
vision management in the unfair labor practices, I be-
lieve that, if undeterred, the Respondent will continue
its pattern of unlawful conduct in response to union ac-
tivity wherever it may occur among the Respondent’s
Eastern Division facilities, including those facilities
that have yet to be the locus of organizing campaigns.2
In addition, in my view, the administration of all the
Eastern Division facilities by managers who have been
directly involved in the commission of many of the
widespread and substantial unfair labor practices in
this case means that employees at all Eastern Division
facilities are now very likely aware of the Respond-
ent’s unlawful efforts in the Eastern Division to defeat
the Union—or will likely be made aware of those ef-
forts as an object lesson of what happens should they
choose or consider a union. In any event, I find it rea-
sonable in light of the widespread violations to make
this aspect of the remedy coextensive with the Eastern
Division managers’ authority. An order encompassing
the former Eastern Division is plainly appropriate.
In one other respect, I would extend the order be-
yond all the Eastern Division facilities and those indi-
vidual facilities in other divisions in which unfair labor
practices were committed. Hugh Gregg, human re-
sources representative in the former Heritage Division,
who was expressly named in several complaint allega-
tions, was personally involved in the commission of
numerous serious unfair labor practices found here.
Because managers from one division may transfer to
another, I would make the cease-and-desist provisions
of the order applicable to Gregg, as the Respondent’s
agent, regardless of the division in which he works.
This represents a modest, but appropriate, expansion of
the order which, like all standard Board orders, is al-
ready binding on all the Respondent’s officers and
agents within the covered facilities.
As is obvious from the foregoing, I do not agree
with the Respondent that this is a run-of-the-mill case
and that the usual cease-and-desist order limited to the
facilities which suffered the direct impact of the unfair
labor practices will suffice. Within the Eastern Divi-
sion, the unfair labor practices were sufficiently wide-
spread and divisional management’s involvement in
their commission sufficiently direct to require more
broadly based relief. On the other hand, I do not agree
with the majority that the unfair labor practices were
sufficiently extensive outside the Eastern Division to
warrant a nationwide order.3 Of the facilities where
unfair labor practices were found in this proceeding,
only 10 of 32 were outside the Eastern Division. Those
32 facilities are but a small percentage of the nearly
1000 nursing homes and extended care facilities the
Respondent owns and operates throughout the United
States. The Board in prior cases has, it is true, found
that the Respondent violated the Act. In consideration
of the small percentage of facilities involved in this
proceeding, however, those previous violations are not
enough in my opinion to warrant a nationwide order.
In sum, I believe an order limited to all the facilities
in the former Eastern Division, to those individual fa-
cilities in other divisions where violations occurred,
and to Hugh Gregg, no matter in which division he
works, would most appropriately remedy the Respond-
ent’s unfair labor practices.4
234 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
NLRB 869, 878 (1966), enfd. as modified 380 F.2d 292 (2d Cir.
1967).
APPENDIX
NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES
POSTED BY ORDER OF THE
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
An Agency of the United States Government
The National Labor Relations Board has found that we
violated the National Labor Relations Act and has or-
dered us to post and abide by this notice.
Section 7 of the Act gives employees these rights.
To organize
To form, join, or assist any union
To bargain collectively through representatives
of their own choice
To act together for other mutual aid or protec-
tion
To choose not to engage in any of these pro-
tected concerted activities.
WE WILL NOT do anything that interferes with these
rights. More specifically:
WE WILL NOT threaten employees with discipline or
more onerous working conditions because of their
union activity or other concerted protected activity.
WE WILL NOT threaten employees with loss of bene-
fits if they select a union to represent them.
WE WILL NOT forbid or attempt to forbid employees
from engaging in lawful solicitation or distribution on
behalf of a union on or off our property and during
nonworking time or in nonwork and/or nonpatient care
areas.
WE WILL NOT interrogate employees with regard to
their union activity or the union activity of others.
WE WILL NOT engage in surveillance of employees’
union activities or create the impression of such sur-
veillance among employees.
WE WILL NOT discharge employees or impose any
disciplinary measures on employees including suspen-
sions, written warnings, oral warnings, or transfers be-
cause of their activities on behalf of or support for a
union or because they engaged in other protected con-
certed activity.
WE WILL NOT issue employees less favorable per-
formance evaluations or deny tuition reimbursement
because of their support for or activities on behalf of
a union.
WE WILL NOT fail or refuse to bargain in good faith
with a union selected by a majority of our employees
as their collective-bargaining representative.
WE WILL NOT unilaterally implement changes in
terms and conditions of employment of employees
without prior notice to or affording an opportunity to
bargain to the Union selected as their collective-bar-
gaining representative.
WE WILL NOT fail or refuse to supply any union rep-
resenting our employees, on request, with information
necessary and relevant to its collective-bargaining
functions.
WE WILL NOT fail or refuse to meet and bargain
with a union representing our employees concerning
employees’ complaints and grievances.
WE WILL NOT assault union representatives, dele-
gates, or stewards.
WE WILL NOT in any other manner interfere with,
restrain, or coerce our employees in the exercise of
their rights protected by the National Labor Relations
Act.
WE WILL offer full reinstatement to their former po-
sitions or, if those positions no longer exist, to substan-
tially equivalent positions (at different facilities if nec-
essary), without prejudice to their seniority and other
rights and privileges, the following employees:
Erika Evans (Carpenter Care Center), Lucille
Lucas (Duke Convalescent Center), Patricia
Chroninger (Beverly Manor of Reading), Suzanne
La Framboise (Meyersdale Manor), Jeraldine
Bubna (North Park Manor), Precious Beasley
(Four Chaplains Convalescent Center), Linda
Johnson (Provincial House Total Living Center),
Kim King (Adrian Health Care Center), Yvonne
Murine (Faith Haven Health Care Center), Elias
Pierre and Nicole Pierre (East Village Nursing
Home), Vicky Buker (Pond Point Convalescent
Center), Shirley Niswonger (Ridgeview Manor
Nursing Home), Janet Glenn, Debra Wiley and
Maggie Roper (Sycamore Village Nursing Home),
and Joyce Garmon (Colonial Park Nursing
Home).
WE WILL make the employees listed in the para-
graph immediately above and the following employees:
The 17 employees unlawfully discharged on September
15, 1986, but later rehired at Fayette Health Care Cen-
ter, Marie Meadow (Carpenter Care Center), Leonnette
Curry (Four Chaplains Convalescent Center), Deborah
Altemus (Richland Manor), Charisee Bryant
(Ridgeview Manor Nursing Home) whole for any loss
of pay and other benefits suffered by them com-
mencing from the date of their unlawful discharge or
suspension plus interest.
WE WILL remove from our files any references to
the discharges of the persons listed above and the dis-
ciplining of Josephine Belice and Debbie Savelli (Bev-
erly Manor of Monroeville); Joann Clingan (Fayette
Health Care Center); Elaine Dukes (Mount Lebanon
Manor Convalescent Center); Marie Meadow, Pamela
Newell, and Lynn Smith (Carpenter Care Center); Pa-
tricia Spangler (Meyersdale Manor); Joyce Kircher
(North Park Manor); Immacula Joseph and Elias Pierre
235BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
(East Village Nursing Home); Malcom Campbell
(Belleville Nursing Home); and Denise Kirven
(Claystone Manor) and notify them in writing that this
has been done and that evidence of their unlawful dis-
cipline will not be used as a basis for future personnel
action against them.
WE WILL make whole, with interest, those employ-
ees at Parkview Gardens Care Center adversely af-
fected by our unlawful implementation of the vacation
buy-out program.
WE WILL, on request, furnish to the applicable
Union information that is relevant and necessary to its
role as exclusive bargaining representative of the unit
employees.
WE WILL, on request, bargain in good faith con-
cerning wages, hours, and other terms and conditions
of employment with any union selected by our em-
ployees as their collective-bargaining representative.
BEVERLY CALIFORNIA CORPORATION
F/K/A BEVERLY ENTERPRISES, ITS OPER-
ATING DIVISIONS, WHOLLY OWNED
SUBSIDIARIES AND INDIVIDUAL FACILI-
TIES AND EACH OF THEM
Barton Meyers, Esq., Kim Siegart, Esq., Richard Wainstein,
Esq., Tim Brown, Esq., Joseph P. Canfield, Donna M.
Canada, Charles F. Morris, Jim Walter, Ronald S. Cohen,
Esq., Michael Marcionese, Esq., Michall T. Jamison, Esq.,
Richard J. Simon, Esq., Everett Rotenberry, Esq., Ben-
jamin Mandelman, Esq., Ruth Small. Esq., Bruce E. Bu-
chanan, Esq., Naomi L. Stuart, Esq., James E. Horner,
Esq., and Catherine M. Roth, Esq., for the General Coun-
sel.
Roger D. Meade, John Kyle, Thomas Dowd, Howard Cole,
and Benjamin Hahn. Esqs. (Littler, Mendelson, Fortiff &
Tichy), of Baltimore, Maryland, and Philip E. Berlin, Esq.
(McKenna & Cuneo), of Los Angeles, California, for the
Respondent.
Reuben A. Guttman and Larry Englestein Esqs., of Wash-
ington, D.C., and John G. Adams, Esq., of Southfield,
Michigan, for the Service Employees International Union,
Charging Party.
Gail Lopez-Henriquez, Esq. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
for the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Em-
ployees, AFL–CIO, Charging Party.
DECISION
Introduction
MARTIN J. LINSKY, Administrative Law Judge. This con-
solidated case involves numerous allegations of unfair labor
practices at 35 nursing homes in 14 different States. All 35
nursing homes were, at the time of the unfair labor practice
allegations, owned and operated by Beverly California Cor-
poration. Beverly owns approximately 1000 nursing homes
across the country. When the litigation began Beverly owned
over 1100 nursing homes spread among 5 operating divi-
sions. When the hearing ended in December 1989 Beverly
owned 992 nursing homes spread among 11 different regions
since Respondent had done away with its 5 operating divi-
sions and replaced them with 11 operating regions. Single
employer status was admitted by Respondent, i.e., Beverly
California Corporation and its operating subdivisions regions,
etc., and individual facilities are a single employer.
The chain of command in each facility is basically the
same. The administrator is in charge. He or she is usually
not a medical professional but could be. Second in command
is the director of nursing (DON) and third is the assistant di-
rector of nursing (ADON). These DONS and ADONS are
usually registered nurses (RNs) but sometimes are licensed
practical nurses (LPNs). There are usually LPNs and nursing
aides or assistants at each facility. There is usually a mainte-
nance department, a laundry department, and a dietary de-
partment, each of which is headed by a supervisor.
I find that unfair labor practices were committed by Re-
spondent at 33 of the 35 facilities in the litigation and I fur-
ther conclude that to remedy this widespread pattern of un-
fair labor practices it will be necessary, in addition to the
usual remedies of cease-and-desist orders, reinstatement with
backpay, orders to bargain in good faith, etc., that I rec-
ommend to the Board that notices that Beverly and many of
its facilities violated the National Labor Relations Act (the
Act) be posted in all of Beverly’s approximately 1000 facili-
ties and that the order to cease and desist run to all of Bev-
erly’s approximately 1000 facilities. In other words a so-
called nationwide order.
This case was initially assigned to Judge Benjamin Schles-
inger. He held 3 days of hearings in October and November
1987. These hearings addressed scheduling and subpoena
compliance. Massive amounts of documents were subpoe-
naed and prior to this case being reassigned to me in the late
summer of 1988 Respondent had admitted single employer
status.
After I was assigned to the case a number of facilities
were added to the litigation. Eventually the number of sepa-
rate facilities in the litigation totaled 35. Two of the facili-
ties, i.e., Carpenter Care Center and Beverly Manor of Read-
ing, both in Pennsylvania, had two separate cases. There
were a total of 37 separate cases. In all there were 78 days
of hearings before me starting on September 26, 1988, and
ending on December 13, 1989. Hearings were held in 13 dif-
ferent States and the District of Columbia. Over 270 wit-
nesses testified and over 900 exhibits, in addition to formal
papers, made their way into the record. Two of the cases,
i.e., the ones involving Parkway Manor Health Care Center
in Minnesota and Parkview Gardens Care Center in Iowa
will be decided on the basis of stipulated records.
I will address the allegations at each of the 35 facilities
separately and then proceed to discuss in some further detail
my recommended Order and the content of the notice which
I will recommend be posted at each and every one of Bev-
erly’s approximately 1000 nursing homes.
In making the findings of fact and conclusions of law re-
cited below I considered the entire record in this case, to in-
clude posthearing briefs filed on June 1, 1990, by the Gen-
eral Counsel and Respondent, and my personal observation
of the witnesses and their demeanor. Respondent admitted it
is an employer under the Act and it further admitted that the
Unions involved were all labor organizations within the
meaning of the Act.
236 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
I. BEVERLY MANOR OF MONROEVILLE, MONROEVILLE,
PENNSYLVANIA; TRIAL ON SEPTEMBER 26, 27, 28, AND
29, 1988; CHARGING PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199P
A. Overview
It is alleged that numerous unfair labor practices were
committed at this facility beginning in July 1986 at the be-
ginning of a union organizing campaign and continuing
through the election, which the Union won, and extending
into the period following certification of the Union as the
collective-bargaining representative of the employees.
Eventually the parties reached agreement on a contract and
a collective-bargaining agreement, effective August 10, 1987,
to October 24, 1988, was signed.
On July 23, 1986, union organizer Ashley Adams, a full-
time employee of District 1199P, went to the facility and
told the administrator that he was demanding recognition for
both a unit of service and maintenance employees, which in-
cluded nursing aides, and for a unit of licensed practical
nurses (LPNs). His request for recognition was denied.
Adams was accompanied by several employees from the
units to be represented. The administrator called the police
and had Adams charged with trespass. Adams was later con-
victed of noncriminal trespass before a magistrate but the
conviction was reversed on appeal. The fact that Adams re-
ceived a summons for trespass was introduced to show
antiunion animus on Respondent’s part and is not alleged as
a separate unfair labor practice.
Thereafter, Adams and employees handbilled in front of
the facility. On September 24, 1986, 2 days before the elec-
tion in the service and maintenance unit, Adams and a num-
ber of employees were handbilling in front of the facility.
Three management representatives, the new administrator,
Judy Comer, DON Ray Sczublewski, and Human Resources
Representative Laura Garvey were present. Comer and Gar-
vey were wearing antiunion buttons. Adams stayed on public
property. Thereafter, the Union won the election among the
service and maintenance employees and was certified by the
Board on 24 October 1986.
Subsequent to the election, which the Union won, but
prior to certification, Respondent unilaterally and without
prior notice to the Union implemented a new medical treat-
ment service plan for its employees, implemented a new pro-
cedure for the granting of holiday leave, and implemented a
new absenteeism policy. On October 30, 1986, Ashley
Adams wrote to Administrator Comer protesting these unilat-
eral changes in terms and conditions of employment. He re-
ceived no response to his letter. Negotiations for a contract
began in mid-December 1986.
On April 18, 1987, an active union supporter, Mary Vin-
cent, was fired. Adams contacted the new administrator, Lois
Northey, who had succeeded Judy Comer, to see what could
be done about getting Vincent’s job back. Northey would not
meet with Adams about Vincent’s discharge but only with
Vincent alone. Adams reluctantly agreed not to press the
issue and Vincent and Northey met with no union representa-
tive present. There was no collective-bargaining agreement in
effect at the time, therefore, no grievance-arbitration clause
in effect which might have mandated union participation.
Northey’s attitude clearly reflects an antiunion bias.
B. Discharge of Mary Vincent
The discharge of Mary Vincent, a probationary employee,
is alleged to be an unfair labor practice. Vincent was fired
on April 14, 1987. In early April she had met with Ashley
Adams at her home and signed a union authorization card.
She spoke in favor of the Union at work and also spoke
about the problem of short staffing with the ADON Shirley
Neuschwander and about what she (Vincent) believed to be
a problem of poor patient care at the facility. She had pre-
viously told her coworkers she was going to do so. Short
staffing, i.e., working with less workers than needed, was a
matter of great concern to the employees and involved the
contention held by many of the employees that there was too
much work and too few workers.
Vincent was fired by DON Sczublewski for insubordina-
tion and failing to follow through on assignments. More spe-
cifically, her failure on April 14, 1987, to turn a patient for
several hours to prevent bed sores, leaving another patient in
a wet bed, being late in giving food to yet another patient,
and when confronted with these failings speaking in a loud
and insubordinate manner to a supervisor.
Her discharge was reviewed by Administrator Lois
Northey at Adam’s request a few days after the discharge.
Northey spoke with Vincent and concurred in the decision to
discharge.
DON Sczublewski, who was herself fired in June 1987,
testified that she personally observed Vincent being insubor-
dinate to the charge nurse who was reprimanding her for fail-
ing to properly care for her patients. The DON made the de-
cision to terminate. The DON claims she didn’t know of
Vincent’s union activity. The charge nurse was so upset over
her confrontation with Vincent that she was in tears. Vincent
testified at the hearing that if she was derelict in the perform-
ance of her duties it was because she was busy helping other
nursing aides. She concedes that she had been told in the
past to do her own work and to attend to her own patients.
In light of the following facts: Vincent’s union activity
was minimal, the person who fired her (the DON) didn’t
know of her union activity, she has no defense to the mis-
conduct of failing to attend to her patients, the election,
which the union won, was held several months prior to Vin-
cent even being hired, and Vincent was a probationary em-
ployee, I must conclude that Vincent was not fired in viola-
tion of the Act, i.e., because of her union and other protected
concerted activity.
Then Administrator Northey, who credibly testified that
she is an ex-Beverly employee and that she hates Beverly,
met with Vincent. There is no evidence that persuades me
that Northey refused to reverse the decision to terminate Vin-
cent because of Vincent’s involvement with the Union.
C. The Disciplining of Josephine Belice and the Change
in Practice Regarding Use of the Phone for
Personal Use
In August 1986—during the union organizing campaign—
Josephine Belice, a nursing aide, was issued an oral warning
for improper use of the phone. Belice had signed a union au-
thorization card on July 13, 1986, and was an active union
supporter. She attended five or six union meetings and she
spoke in favor of the Union among her fellow employees.
She was present with Ashley Adams when he confronted the
237BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
management of the home on June 23, 1986, and demanded
recognition of the Union as the collective-bargaining rep-
resentative for the service and maintenance unit. When the
demand for recognition was made Administrator Comer told
the group, which included Adams and Belice and a number
of other employees, that if they didn’t leave she would call
the police.
Belice worked nights, i.e., 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. At 5:30 a.m.
she would routinely call her young daughter at home on the
facility phone. Her purpose was to make sure her daughter
got up for school. Belice’s supervisor, Lou Ann Harris, had,
before the union organizing campaign, seen Belice do this
many times. Harris had also seen other aides use the phone
to call out for lunch. Harris herself even called out for lunch
over the facility phone. Harris was admitted by Respondent
to be both a supervisor and an agent.
Lou Ann Harris orally reprimanded Belice for using the
phone one morning as Belice was calling home to wake up
her daughter. LPN John Wilson witnessed this reprimand and
credibly testified that Harris told Belice that with the Union
around Respondent would be cracking down on the employ-
ees. The oral warning was verbal only and not reduced to
writing.
Harris told Belice no more phone calls because the facility
was now going by the book because of all the union activity.
LPN Anne Maringo would call her daughter at night for
a ride home. In August both the administrator and DON told
employees that they could no longer use the facility phone
for personal calls because it was too expensive. Employees
had to use pay phones in the lobby. I note that Lorraine
Platko credibly testified to widespread use of the facility
phone for personal calls prior to the crackdown. RN Super-
visor Eleanor Chadwick knew of it and said nothing.
The employee handbook provides that no personal phone
calls are allowed from the facility phone unless it is an emer-
gency or the person who makes the call has prior approval
of a supervisor to do so but the practice at the facility was
to permit the employees to use the phone. The practice was
changed and this benefit taken away for and because of the
union organizing campaign. It was an unfair labor practice
for Respondent to modify the phone policy by stricter en-
forcement of it because of the union activity of its employees
and it was an unfair labor practice to orally reprimand Belice
for her use of the phone. Mississippi Chemical Corp., 280
NLRB 413, 418 (1986). It was punishment of Belice and the
others simply because they engaged in protected concerted
activity.
D. Imposition of More Onerous Working Conditions
On or about September 24, 1986, 2 days before the elec-
tion, Ken Cess, a vice president for operations, in a meeting
with employees—one of whom was Josephine Belice—told
the employees, among other things, that if they thought
things were bad at the home now they should just vote yes
for the Union and things will get worse. Cess never testified.
His statement was a clear cut threat to employees that if they
exercised their lawful right to vote to be represented by a
union they would be sorry. This was an unfair labor practice
in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. Laundry Assistant
Betty Gessinger credibly testified that Cess said, ‘‘[I]f you
think we’re SOB’s now wait until the union gets in.’’ This
is an unlawful threat intended to coerce employees in the ex-
ercise of their right to select representation by the Union or
reject such representation. Cess said words, to the effect, that
the employer would hover over the employees, catch them
in a mistake, and fire them. G.E.’s Trucking., 252 NLRB
947, 950 (1980).
E. Change in Benefits
On September 29, 1987, after the Union won the election
but before certification, Office Manager Kathy Eaton told a
group of employees, which included Josephine Belice, that
they would henceforth get the full vacation benefit (10 days
after 1 year of work, 15 days after 5 years of work, and 20
days after 10 years of work) if and only if they missed no
scheduled days of work for any reason whatsoever. For every
3 days of work that the employee missed for any reason they
would lose 1 day of vacation. Prior to this an employee’s
amount of vacation and the number of absences had nothing
to do with one another. Obviously, the employees would not
be paid if they didn’t work but the absences from work had
no effect on the length of their vacation.
On October 5, 1986—after the Union won the election but
before certification—DON Kay Sczublewski announced a
new absenteeism policy. The holiday policy was also
changed after the election but before certification. Henceforth
if an employee wanted to be off on a holiday from work it
was done on a first come, first served basis rather then on
the basis of seniority which had been the practice.
These unilateral changes after the election but before cer-
tification were done to punish the employees for voting to
be represented by the Union and constitute unfair labor prac-
tices since there is no evidence these changes were made be-
cause of compelling economic consideration. Angelica
Healthcare Services, 284 NLRB 844, 852 (1987); W. A.
Krueger Co., 299 NLRB 914 (1990).
F. Surveillance of Employees
Back in July 1986, a week or more before Ashley Adams
demanded recognition from then Administrator Comer, LPN
John Wilson was visited at his home by Adams. Adams gave
Wilson some union authorization cards to get signed. Wilson,
who signed a card himself, went to the facility with some
union papers in his breast pocket. Comer, apparently seeing
union materials in Wilson’s pocket, asked him if the union
organizer had been at the nursing home. Wilson said no but
he had been at his (Wilson’s) home.
Wilson got off work the following morning and was wait-
ing for his ride in the facility parking lot. Administrator
Comer and DON Sczublewski exited the facility and entered
a station wagon. They sat in the station wagon, waiting.
After a while they got out of the station wagon and Adminis-
trator Comer approached Wilson and asked him what was he
doing in the parking lot. This clearly created in Wilson’s
mind an impression that he was under surveillance because
of possible union activity on his part. This is an unfair labor
practice. The election in the LPN unit was held on January
12, 1987. The Union won.
G. Prohibiting Employees from Handing out
Union Literature
On September 24, 1986, 2 days before the election in the
service and maintenance unit, nursing assistant Shirley
238 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Valkanas was told by two security guards, hired by Respond-
ent, that she was not allowed to handbill on company prop-
erty. It is a violation of the Act for agents of Respondent to
prevent an employee (as distinguished from a nonemployee)
from handing out leaflets. There was no evidence presented
that the handbilling was causing a litter problem or impeding
traffic in or out of the grounds of the facility. Both DON
Sczublewski and Human Resources Representative Garvey
were present when the employees were told they could not
leaflet on Respondent’s property. Orange Memorial Hospital
Corp., 285 NLRB 1099, 1100 (1987); Tri-County Medical
Center, 222 NLRB 1089 (1976).
H. Disciplining of Anne Maringo
LPN Anne Maringo was an active union supporter, e.g.,
she signed an authorization card, passed out authorization
cards in the lobby of the home when Ashley Adams re-
quested Comer to recognize the Union as collective-bar-
gaining representative for the LPNs. She wore a union button
at work until ordered to remove it.
During the week of August 25, 1986, Maringo was work-
ing hard in an area where patients could not observe her. She
was not wearing her nurses cap. She says DON Sczublewski
asked her where her cap was? LPNs and RNs were supposed
to wear nursing caps while on duty. Nurses’ aides did not
wear caps. Maringo told the DON that she was real busy.
Maringo says the DON then said, ‘‘well I guess I’ll have to
give you an oral warning.’’ DON Sczublewski, who is no
longer with Respondent (she was fired, as noted above) testi-
fied credibly that she had absolutely no recollection of hav-
ing said to Maringo what Maringo claims she said. The
former DON concedes that she often told nurses, if she saw
them without a cap on, to put their caps on. I do not consider
this disciplining someone. Maringo never received anything
in writing in connection with this incident. Hence, I find no
violation of the Act.
I. Disciplining of Debbie Savelli
Debbie Savelli, who left Respondent’s employ in Novem-
ber 1987, was a nursing assistant on the 3 to 11 p.m. shift.
She was prounion and had signed a union authorization card.
Savelli regularly called home from the phone at the nurses’
station to check on her husband and children. She would
only take a minute or so to do so. Management officials had
observed her do it. Nothing was ever said.
On July 30, 1986, Savelli was openly calling home in the
presence of DON Sczublewski when a call light went on at
the nurses station indicating she should attend to a resident.
Savelli left to attend to the resident. The very next day she
was called into the DON’s office and given an oral warning,
which was reduced to writing, for using the facility phone
in violation of the handbook, i.e., no permission from a su-
pervisor and not an emergency call. Savelli was not aware
of this policy until she got the reprimand.
The DON testified she heard Savelli talking on the phone
at the nurses station about her daughter’s upcoming music
recital. She claimed she knew nothing of Savelli’s union ac-
tivity. The crux of the matter is that Respondent cracked
down on phone calls in order to discourage union activity
and the DON in disciplining Savelli, I am firmly convinced,
did so to persuade the employees to resist the union because
if they didn’t life will be hell. Accordingly, I conclude that
the oral warning of Savelli was done to discourage the em-
ployees from wanting to become unionized and was violative
of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act.
J. Events Subsequent to Certification of the Union
The parties’ first negotiation session was held on Decem-
ber 18, 1986. The Union was only representing the service
and maintenance unit at this time. On February 19, 1987, the
Union and Respondent met again. The parties were to meet
on March 16, 1987, but on March 15, 1987, Judy Mollinger,
the chief negotiator for Respondent for this facility and a
number of others, called to cancel the meeting because she
had been in an accident and couldn’t drive for several days.
Indeed, she had passed out at the wheel of her car while
driving and was lucky she was not more seriously injured or
even killed. Her car flipped over and she was suspended up-
side down held in by her seatbelt. Neurological testing fol-
lowed in an effort to find out why Mollinger passed out.
Mollinger was told by her doctor not to travel. Mollinger’s
office was in Rockville, Maryland, a suburb of Washington,
D.C., and approximately 5 hours by car from Monroeville,
Pennsylvania, the site of this facility.
Mollinger was supposed to get someone to take her place
at the negotiations table but was unsuccessful because people
she tried to get to take her place were too busy with their
own work. Eventually, meetings were held on April 24 and
25, 1987. The parties agreed to meet again in early June
1987, and to confirm that meeting in May. The parties met
in May and June. By early June it was clear the parties could
reach agreement on a contract. They agreed on a firm sched-
ule. Both sides stuck to that schedule and a contract was
agreed to on August 10, 1987. Between certification of the
Union in October 1986 and agreement on a contract in Au-
gust 1987 the parties met a total of 10 or 11 times. They met
in every month but March due to Respondent’s inability to
meet caused by their chief negotiator having been in a seri-
ous car accident. This does not constitute a failure by Re-
spondent to bargain in good faith. The delay, while unfortu-
nate, was not excessive under the circumstances. I note that
Respondent is a major corporation and could have and
maybe should have put in a replacement negotiator for
Mollinger, who was going to be unavailable due to her acci-
dent, but the delay was not so excessive that its failure to
do so violated its duty to bargain in good faith.
K. Refusal to Meet with Union Representative to
Discuss Grievance of Betty Gessinger
Active union supporter Betty Gessinger’s hours were
changed in August 1987. This was subsequent to a collec-
tive-bargaining agreement being reached but before written
copies of the contract were distributed. Gessinger complained
to her immediate supervisor, Fred Bartoletti, about the
change. He said there was no union contract and Ashley
Adams (the union representative) can’t help you. That very
day she brought her complaint to the attention of then Ad-
ministrator Lois Northey, who within 20 minutes straightened
out the matter to the complete and total satisfaction of
Gessinger. At no time did Gessinger file a written grievance.
Respondent committed no unfair labor practice under these
239BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
facts or if it did so it was so de minimis as not to justify
a conclusion of unlawful conduct.
II. FAYETTE HEALTH CARE CENTER, UNIONTOWN,
PENNSYLVANIA; TRIAL ON OCTOBER 3, 4, 5, 6, AND 7,
1988; CHARGING PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199P
The union organizing campaign began in late June 1986
when an organizer for District 1199P, Thomas DeBruin, re-
ceived a first phone call from an employee trying to bring
in the union. After 70 percent of the employees had signed
union authorization cards DeBruin and a number of employ-
ees went unannounced to the facility and spoke with Admin-
istrator Jim Filippone. DeBruin demanded that the Union be
recognized. Filippone said he couldn’t do that and said the
request for recognition had to be sent to Rockville, Mary-
land. The following day the Union filed a petition for an
election. An election among a unit of service and mainte-
nance employees was scheduled for September 19, 1986.
A. Discharge of Fayette 17
On September 15, 1986, 4 days before the election, 17
employees were discharged for engaging in activity on behalf
of the Union, i.e., wearing union buttons. Respondent admits
it violated the Act in discharging what became known in this
litigation as the Fayette 17.
On January 5, 1987, the 17 unlawfully discharged employ-
ees were offered full reinstatement to their former positions
and paid back wages for the period between unlawful dis-
charge and offers of reinstatement. If there are disputes con-
cerning the payment of backpay this can be resolved during
the compliance stage of this litigation. Needless to say it was
a violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act for the so-called
‘‘Fayette 17’’ to be discharged for engaging in protected
concerted activity.
B. Failure to Bargain in Good Faith
The Union won the election to represent the service and
maintenance employees and was certified by the Board on
December 3, 1986. The first negotiating session was on Jan-
uary 14, 1987, and the second on February 3, 1987. On Feb-
ruary 3, 1987, Respondent’s representatives, led by July
Mollinger (who was from out of town) and Jim Filippone
who lived in the area, showed up almost 4 hours late for the
session. The union side—organizer Tom DeBruin and several
employees—waited 4 hours for Respondent. Respondent
could have but chose not to inform the Union that it would
be starting late due to travel problems encountered by its
chief negotiator, July Mollinger. This act of extraordinary
discourtesy rises to the level of an unfair labor practice in
violation of Section 8(a)(5) when one considers all the other
indignities heaped on the Union and its supporters by Re-
spondent. Respondent violated the Act by being late and de-
liberately not notifying the Union that it would be late. To
add insult to injury Respondent was to bring to this session
information on vacation policy, health insurance, and the po-
sition description for ‘‘ward clerk.’’ Since an LPN held the
‘‘ward clerk’’ position it was debatable whether this job be-
longed in the service and maintenance unit or not. Respond-
ent brought none of this requested information to the meet-
ing. This is bad-faith bargaining in violation of Section
8(a)(5) of the Act.
C. Unilateral Changes
After the February 3, 1987 negotiating session Respondent
unilaterally and without prior notice to the Union changed its
policy on employees having food or drink in their work area.
Henceforth, they were not allowed to have food or drink in
their work area. This is an unfair labor practice. Respondent
admits it made the change unilaterally and without prior no-
tice to the Union but claims it had an inherent managerial
right to do so. I disagree. A nurses’s right to have a cup of
coffee while sitting at the nurses station filling out charts is
not an insignificant right but a condition of employment. Be-
ginning on February 17, 1987, Respondent unilaterally and
without prior notice to the Union discontinued its practice of
providing free coffee to its employees. While Respondent
may argue that putting in a coffee vending machine where
employees pay for their coffee rather than providing free cof-
fee is an insignificant change in benefits not unlike a com-
pany no longer furnishing a free turkey at Thanksgiving or
Christmas but I must disagree. The furnishing of a benefit
on a daily basis, i.e., every single working day, is a signifi-
cantly greater benefit then a once a year ‘‘gift.’’ In making
these unilateral changes Respondent violated Section 8(a)(5)
of the Act.
D. Organizing Campaign
On September 12, 1986, Respondent posted a notice which
referred to the union organizing campaign and provided that
no soliciting was permitted on facility property. Since this
prohibition proscribes soliciting in both work and nonwork
areas and prohibits employees from soliciting while on break
or during lunch it was obviously overly broad and unlawful.
The posting of the overly broad no-solicitation rule violates
Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. The notice was posted for only
a few hours according to employee Patricia Ritz, who saw
it posted. The notice was removed by Respondent but em-
ployees were not told that they should ignore the notice.
E. Disciplining of Joann Clingan
Joann Clingan, a housekeeping aide, was active on behalf
of the Union, e.g., she solicited fellow employees to sign
union authorization cards, etc.
On August 27, 1986, Administrator Filippone and Hugh
Gregg, an individual sent by higher headquarters within Re-
spondent’s organization to conduct Respondent’s campaign
against the Union, told Clingan not to solicit for the Union
on the premises at any time and not to solicit employees at
their homes. Fellow employee Wilma Franks was present at
this meeting and corroborates Clingan.
Respondent knew Clingan was in favor of the Union. On
October 2, 1986, following the election but before certifi-
cation, Clingan was disciplined. She had seen that a com-
mode in a resident’s bathroom was clogged up with paper
towels and human feces and could not be flushed. She in-
formed the DON, Mary Ellen Gumbo, about this problem.
Gumbo called the maintenance supervisor, Fred George.
Clogged commodes are the responsibility of maintenance to
correct. George came up on the floor, observed the condition
of the commode, and told Clingan to fix it. Clingan yelled
at George for not fixing the commode. Charge nurse Joyce
Hoch asked Clingan what the problem was and Clingan told
240 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
her. Hoch got a nurses aide to unclog the commode. Clingan,
a housekeeper, then proceeded to clean the bathroom.
Later that day, Clingan received an oral warning from her
supervisor for being disrespectful to Maintenance Supervisor
Fred George when she talked to him earlier in a loud and
abusive fashion. Clingan was convinced the disciplinary
warning form she received on November 11, 1986, was sub-
stantially different from the one she was shown on October
2, 1986, but not given. I think she is simply mistaken on this
point. Respondent’s written disciplinary forms are called em-
ployee memorandums. All disciplines are in writing and one
of four boxes is checked off, i.e., oral warning, written warn-
ing, suspension, or discharge. The box marked ‘‘oral warn-
ing’’ was checked off in the case of Clingan. The issue is
whether Clingan was disciplined because of her union activ-
ity or for some other reason. Fred George, the maintenance
supervisor, did not testify. He was disciplined for his part in
the argument with Clingan on October 2, 1986, and later ter-
minated in December 1986.
Based on Filippone’s extraordinary antiunion animus and
the fact that he knew Clingan was prounion it is difficult to
believe that this disciplinary warning was given for any rea-
son other than Clingan’s prounion activity. All Clingan did
was loudly inform the maintenance supervisor to do his job.
The beneficiary of him doing his job would be principally
the residents of the facility who used that bathroom.
Nellie Stewart, housekeeping supervisor, who signed and
showed the oral warning to Clingan on October 2, 1986, did
not testify. Joyce Hoch, whom Clingan had asked to get Fred
George to help on the clogged toilet problem, did testify but
was asked no questions about the matter of Clingan’s dis-
cipline.
F. Failure to Consider ‘‘Problem Solving Forms’’
Patricia Ritz submitted some ‘‘problem solving’’ forms
which Ashley Adams had prepared based on information in
the Beverly Handbook up the management chain of com-
mand for consideration. At a March 16, 1987 negotiating
session Ritz was advised by Administrator Filippone that he
had ripped up her ‘‘problem solving’’ forms and told her he
did so because they don’t mean ‘‘Shit’’ (his word). While
this is crude and ungentlemanly behavior it doesn’t rise to
the level of an unfair labor practice. It does show, as do
other instances, that Filippone is hot-headed and unusually
antiunion.
G. Incidents Involving Employee Wilma Franks
Wilma Franks resigned from Respondent’s employ in June
1987. She was one of the ‘‘Fayette 17’’ who had been un-
lawfully fired on September 15, 1986, and offered reinstate-
ment on January 5, 1987. She was a very active prounion
supporter. Among other things, she attend union meetings
and passed out union literature.
On a daily basis Franks would speak to her supervisor and
friend, Dietary Supervisor Carol Judd. They spoke on a daily
basis during the union campaign in August and September
1986. Judd told Franks that if the Union were voted in the
employees would lose benefits. Judd specifically referred to
the stock purchase plan and the tuition reimbursement benefit
as benefits employees would lose if the employees voted for
union representation. I credit Frank’s testimony. Judd did not
testify. Even though Franks and Judd were friends when
Judd spoke she spoke as if privy to inside information and
appeared to be expressing more than her own personal opin-
ion. This threat of loss of benefits if the employees vote for
the Union violates Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
On August 27, 1986, Franks was directed to attend a meet-
ing with Jim Filippone and Hugh Gregg, Respondent’s re-
gional manager for human resources. She and three other
employees were in attendance. Gregg told the employees
Franks, Dennis Sylvester, Joann Clingan, and Sandy Silva—
that they were not to solicit for the Union and they were not
to talk about the Union anywhere in the building to include
the employees’ lounge. Filippone added that they were not
to call fellow employees at home about the Union either.
These are clear cut violations of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
I credit Franks’ testimony, which was supported by employee
Joann Clingan, who I also found credible. Gregg did not tes-
tify. I do not believe Filippone’s denial. He impressed me as
a witness who would say anything if he thought it would
help Respondent’s position. He was simply not a credible
witness.
Franks, like the others among the ‘‘Fayette 17,’’ returned
to work in January 1987. On January 20, 1987, she received
a performance evaluation from Filippone. Filippone said that
Judd, who was no longer at this facility but at another Bev-
erly facility, had prepared the evaluation. The evaluation stat-
ed, in part, that Franks ‘‘has potential to become a good em-
ployee if outside influences are curbed.’’ Franks asked what
was meant by ‘‘outside influences’’ and Filippone said union
activity. There are five possible ratings on Respondent’s per-
formance evaluation form. Franks overall rating was ‘‘satis-
factory’’ which is higher than ‘‘needs improvement’’ and
‘‘unsatisfactory’’ but not as high as either ‘‘outstanding’’ or
‘‘very good.’’ She asked if her ‘‘satisfactory’’ rating would
be ‘‘outstanding’’ but for her union activity and Filippone
said yes. It is a violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act to
give a less favorable performance evaluation to an employee
because the employee engaged in protected concerted activ-
ity.
On March 20, 1987, Franks, who was now a union dele-
gate (steward), went to Administrator Filippone’s office to
discuss a number of grievances to include her personal griev-
ance over her hours being cut. Filippone, who as noted above
has a problem with his temper, got so angry at Franks that
he took his foot off the chair he had his foot on (he was
standing at the time), picked up the chair, and threw it vio-
lently in Franks’ direction. The chair did not hit Franks and
I don’t believe Filippone wanted to hit or injure Franks, but
the chair Filippone violently threw in Franks’ direction
crashed into the chair right next to Franks. This violent be-
havior toward a union delegate and employee clearly violates
the Act. Filippone’s testimony is not credited nor is that of
Supervisor Erna Tichner, who was present. Tichner claims
that Filippone merely pushed one chair into another and did
not throw the chair.
Franks filed a charge of harassment against Filippone with
a local magistrate. Filippone was acquitted on that charge. I
am, of course, not bound by the magistrate’s findings.
241BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
H. Physical Assault on Union Representative
Ashley Adams
On March 24, 1987, Ashley Adams—a full-time union
employee and not a Beverly employee—went to the facility
to see Administrator Filippone to complain about Filippone’s
conduct toward Wilma Franks recounted just above in sec-
tion 2,G of this decision. He did not have an appointment.
Adams was accompanied by approximately eight employ-
ees to include Wilma Franks. Adams knocked on Filippone’s
door. Filippone came out of his office. He was furious with
Adams for bothering him. He yelled, ‘‘[W]hat do you
want?’’ Adams said he was there to discuss the Franks mat-
ter. Filippone walked right up to Adams and pointed a pen
right in Adams’ face. It was only inches away. Adams
knocked the pen away and Filippone violently pushed Adams
against the wall yelling, ‘‘Don’t ever knock a pen out of my
hand.’’
This assault by Filippone against Adams was done in the
presence of a number of employees. This action by Filippone
is the kind of physical violence that might tend to discourage
an employee from exercising his or her right to join or assist
a union. This is a violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
Fortunately, Adams was not injured.
I personally observed both Filippone and Adams. Both
men appeared physically fit and are young in appearance but
Filippone is considerably taller and heavier. Filippone pre-
sents a much more physically imposing figure than Adams.
With respect to the particulars of the physical encounter I be-
lieve Adams and not Filippone who claims he never even
touched Adams. I also do not believe Donna Karol who
claims she heard Adams say moments before the incident
that he was going to provoke Filippone into hitting him. It
is clear that Filippone has what is sometimes referred to as
a ‘‘short fuse.’’ He even admitted on the stand that he has
a bad temper.
Filippone filed charges of harassment against Adams and
Adams, thereafter, filed charges of assault against Filippone.
Filippone was acquitted before a magistrate whereas Adams
was convicted of harassment and fined $75.
Needless to say what happened in the magistrate’s court
isn’t binding on me. The burden of proof is different and the
parties are different. I heard Adams and Filippone and there
is no doubt in my mind that Filippone was the aggressor and
physically manhandled Union Representative Adams in the
presence of eight employees represented by Adam’s union.
I. Other 8(a)(1) Conduct During the Union
Organizing Campaign
Respondent admits that Administrator Filippone on Sep-
tember 11 and 17, 1986, and admits that Human Resources
Regional Manager Hugh Gregg on September 11, 1986, dur-
ing the union organizing campaign, threatened employees
with discharge because of their activities on behalf of the
Union.
Respondent admits that on August 27, 1986, Hugh Gregg
threatened employees with more onerous working conditions
if they selected the Union as their collective-bargaining rep-
resentative.
The following supervisors on the date or dates indicated
next to their name required employees to remove union but-
tons or insignia signifying support for the Union while al-
lowing the wearing of nonunion-related buttons and insignia:
Human Resources Regional Manager Hugh Gregg (Sep-
tember 11 and 15, 1986); Dietary Supervisor Carol Judd
(September 14, 1986); Housekeeping Supervisor Nellie Stew-
art (September 11, 1986); DON Mary Ellen Gumbo (Sep-
tember 11, 1986); and Administrator Jim Filippone (Sep-
tember 11, 1986).
Respondent further admits that on or about September 11,
1986, Human Resources Manager Hugh Gregg prohibited
employees from distributing union literature and soliciting on
behalf of the Union in Respondent’s parking lot. All of this
conduct, which Respondent admits, violated Section 8(a)(1)
of the Act.
J. Discharge of Brenda Hatfield
Brenda Hatfield was an LPN. She worked on the night
shift, i.e., 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. She worked at this facility from
August 1984 to June 15, 1987, when she was fired. She was
very actively prounion and Respondent clearly knew it prior
to their allegedly discriminatorily changing her schedule so
that she no longer got every third weekend off and when it
allegedly unlawfully fired her because of her union activity.
Hatfield was the LPN who was most active in seeking to
get the Union to represent the LPNs. In August 1986 there
was a 4-day NLRB hearing on the issue of whether LPNs
were supervisory personnel or not. The eventual conclusion
by the Board being that they were not supervisors. In any
event Hatfield was one of three LPNs who testified for the
Union at that hearing.
Thereafter, her schedule was changed. She did not get
every third weekend off between late August 1986 and Janu-
ary or February 1987. It is alleged that this change of sched-
ule was because of her union activity. The evidence at the
hearing, however, reflects to the contrary. Because of vaca-
tions, etc., it was necessary to modify Hatfield’s schedule.
She later got back in the routine of every third weekend off.
There was no violation of the Act.
Hatfield’s disciplinary record was, to be polite, less than
good. Prior to the Union being on the scene at all Hatfield
had been written up for absenteeism.
After the union organizing campaign began Hatfield was
disciplined with written warnings on February 15 and March
25, 1987, under Respondent’s progressive disciplinary system
for being absent on September 15 and November 11, 1986,
January 2, February 17 and 20, and March 20, 1987. On
March 6, 1987, she was given an oral warning for leaving
the med cart (a cart which contained medicines) unlocked in
violation of policy. On March 9, 1987, she was given an oral
warning for failing to note on a patient’s chart that the pa-
tient had been found lying on the floor by an aide. Hatfield
admits her guilt, if you will, of all of these offenses.
On March 9, 1987, she also received a written warning for
leaving the med cart in an unauthorized place, i.e., the pa-
tients’ lounge. Her defense to this misconduct is that others
did the the same thing on occasion and she did not think it
was prohibited. It was prohibited however and any reason-
able person would assume so. On March 30, 1987, she was
suspended for 3 days for working on charts in the patients’
lounge. Her defense to this offense is that she didn’t think
this was prohibited but she did acknowledge that she had
been told not to do so much work in the patients’ lounge and
to stay closer to the nurses’ station where she could observe
242 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
1 Wright Line, 251 NLRB 1083 (1980), enfd. 662 F.2d 899 (1st
Cir. 1981), cert. denied 455 U.S. 989 (1982). The Board’s Wright
Line analysis met with explicit Supreme Court approval in NLRB v.
Transportation Management Corp., 462 U.S. 393 (1983).
call lights going on which would indicate a resident in need
of a nurse.
Suffice it to say the next infraction by Hatfield could re-
sult in her discharge since discharge is the next penalty when
an employee had, as Hatfield did, oral warnings, written
warnings, and has been suspended.
Hatfield was fired because a patient with the initials AD,
who was wearing a vest restraint to prevent her from falling
out of bed, was observed to have her vest restraint untied on
one side. It was the responsibility of the LPN to check on
patients with vest restraints to make sure they were properly
secured. Hatfield did not believe the patient had a vest re-
straint order in her file and indeed the patient did not. How-
ever, her chart reflected that the afternoon crew had put her
in a vest restraint. Although Hatfield had approximately 95
patients to watch over she should have caught this according
to Respondent. However, a patient, according to even Re-
spondent’s own witness, DON Gumbo sometimes can untie
his or her restraint. The patient did not testify. AD was ob-
served with a loose vest restraint at 12:15 a.m. and again at
6 a.m. Hatfield didn’t even know the patient had a restraint.
Even if AD untied her own vest restraint Hatfield should
have known about it. Hatfield was also fired for only making
rounds every 3 hours and not every 2 hours which was Re-
spondent’s rule. This rule, i.e., the requirement of making
rounds every 2 hours was the subject of in-service training
and was reduced to writing and contained in the procedure
and policy book at the nurses station. Hatfield admits that
she only did rounds every 3 hours and not every 2 hours as
required. Doing rounds involves checking in on each resident
to make sure they are okay.
Applying the Wright Line1 analysis I conclude that Re-
spondent did not violate the Act when it discharged Brenda
Hatfield. I reach this conclusion even though another LPN,
Peggy Eisler, failed to make sure that patient MJ had her re-
straint in place and the patient fell and was injured. Hat-
field’s disciplinary record was such that her discharge was
proper. She also admitted she did not make rounds every 2
hours. Further, Hatfield had an extensive disciplinary record.
Eisler was not disciplined in any way but because of dif-
ferences between the record of Eisler and that of Hatfield I
don’t find that Hatfield was treated in a disparate and dis-
criminatory manner. Respondent, I conclude, would have dis-
charged Hatfield even if Hatfield had not been prounion.
Hatfield’s disciplinary record was horrendous.
K. Unlawful Threats by Respondent Prior to
Beginning of Trial
Kimberly Sylvester, an LPN at Respondent’s facility, testi-
fied that on September 11, 1988, just 3 weeks before the
hearing before me involving this facility, she told Adminis-
trator Filippone that she had been subpoenaed and asked if
he needed a copy of the subpoena. Filippone replied, ‘‘[Y]ou
ought to think long and hard about what you are doing.’’ He
went on to explain that if Brenda Hatfield got her job back
Sylvester’s chances of getting a desired transfer would be re-
duced.
On September 23, 1988, a little more than 1 week before
the hearing Filippone approached Sylvester. He said he had
heard she was leaving Respondent’s employ and wanted to
know why. Sylvester told him it was because of unpleasant
working conditions and harassment and she thought there
may be even more harassment after the upcoming hearings.
Filippone replied that it would depend on how Sylvester tes-
tified and if she testified in Respondent’s favor there would
be no harassment.
Filippone’s statements to Sylvester shortly before the hear-
ing clearly constitute violations of the Act. Any threat of re-
taliation for how a person testifies at an NLRB proceeding
to which that person has been subpoenaed is a clear cut vio-
lation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. Sylvester was a very
credible witness and I believe her testimony.
III. MOUNT LEBANON MANOR CONVALESCENT CENTER;
TRIAL ON OCTOBER 11, 12, AND 13, 1988; CHARGING
PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199P
The union organizing campaign by District 1199P began
in mid-November 1986, at this facility and ended with an
election on January 8, 1987, in which the employees elected
not to be represented by the Union. About 1 month before
the October 1988 hearings before me involving this facility
there was a second election which was won by the Union.
The unfair labor practices are alleged to have occurred
during this organizing campaign between November 1986
and January 1987.
A. The 8(a)(1) Violations by Dietary Manager
Michelle Mion
Amy Habas, who worked at the facility from May 1985
to June 1987, when she quit, credibly testified that on No-
vember 22, 1986, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, she
signed a union authorization card. She did so in the
breakroom at the facility and one of the other employees said
that Dietary Manager Michelle Mion was right outside the
room. A few minutes later Mion called Habas into her office.
She asked Habas if she had signed an authorization card.
Habas said that she had. Mion asked Habas who else had
signed authorization cards and Habas told her. Mion told
Habas that if the Union got into the facility Habas’ wages
would be reduced because she would have to pay dues.
On December 3, 1986, in a conversation between Mion
and Habas in Mion’s office, Mion questioned Habas as to
why she had stayed so long at work the prior Saturday. Mion
told Habas that she knew Habas didn’t just have lunch that
day but was really at a union meeting.
Mion’s statements in November and December constitute
unlawful interrogation, threats, and create an impression of
surveillance of union activity and are hallmark violations of
Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. Rossmore House, 269 NLRB
1176 (1984).
I found Amy Habas to be a credible witness. She was, if
it is possible, too timid to lie. I do not credit Michelle
Mion’s denials that she never said what Habas testified she
said.
243BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
B. The 8(a)(1) Violations by Administrator David
Thomas and Assistant Director of Nursing
(DON) Judy Dyer
In or about December 1986 Beckie Burgh, who left Re-
spondent’s employ after her young son died, credibly testi-
fied that at a meeting Administrator David Thomas told em-
ployees that if the Union is voted in the pay of employees
would be reduced by the amount of union dues and union
initiation fee the employees would have to pay but if the
union was voted down the the employees would get a 5 per-
cent pay raise in January 1987. In addition, employees would
get an additional 2 weeks of vacation. This is a classic un-
lawful promise to get the employees to vote against a union
and is violative of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. Employee
Debbie Townsend credibly corroborates the testimony of
Beckie Burgh.
Thomas claims that he didn’t promise a 5-percent raise if
employees voted against the Union but rather said that there
would be a 5-percent pay raise unless union was voted down
because if the Union was voted in the pay rates would be
a matter of negotiation between employer and union and, as
a matter of fact, the employer can’t give a raise even if it
wanted to do so. The union, I note, was voted down and em-
ployees did not get a raise. He also denied he promised any
extra vacation time. I credit Townsend and Burgh over
Thomas.
In November 1986 Elaine Dukes, who later quit Respond-
ent’s employ and who is the same Dukes who is the subject
of an 8(a)(3) violation discussed below, credibly testified that
she attended a meeting of nursing aides at the facility.
ADON Judy Dyer and charge nurses Dianne Burger and
Marcy Didonati were present. All three are admitted by Re-
spondent to be supervisors and agents within the meaning of
the Act. ADON Dyer told employees not to talk about the
Union on the floor. This is an overly broad prohibition since
it would include prohibiting talk about the Union between
employees when they were away from a patient area and on
break or during a downtime late at night while not near pa-
tients. No other subject of conversation was prohibited ex-
cept talk about the Union. This is an overly broad, discrimi-
natory, and unlawful rule and its promulgation violates Sec-
tion 8(a)(1) of the Act.
On a number of occasions during the campaign, November
1986 to January 1987, union organizer Ashley Adams and a
number of employees would handbill in front of Respond-
ent’s facility. On every occasion Respondent called the po-
lice to get the handbillers away from the facility even though
access in and out of the facility property was not in any way
impeded. Employee Beckie Burgh heard Administrator
Thomas tell DON Cecelia Roney to write down the names
of those handbilling. In addition, Ashley Adams stayed on
the public road while some employees were on Respondent’s
property. Employees Elaine Dukes and Diane Meade both
handbilled and were observed doing so by management. Re-
spondent calling the police because of employee handbilling
which does not impede traffic in or out of the facility clearly
tends to interfere, restrain, and coerce those employees in the
exercise of their Section 7 rights and is, therefore, violative
of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. Jean Country, 291 NLRB 11
(1988).
C. Disciplining of Elaine Dukes and Discharge and
Rehire of Elaine Dukes
Elaine Dukes, who later quit Respondent’s employ, was a
nurses aide. She was active on behalf of the Union. Her ac-
tivities included handbilling in front of Respondent’s facility.
There is no doubt that Respondent at the time it allegedly
took unlawful action regarding Dukes was well aware of her
prounion sympathies. Indeed, Respondent rated employees
between ‘‘1’’ and ‘‘5’’ based on whether management
thought they were very prounion (1) or very antiunion (5).
They gave Dukes a ‘‘1’’ rating. In addition, Dukes told her
supervisor, Diane Burger, with whom she carpooled, that she
was prounion.
On December 27, 1986, Dukes was told she was to be dis-
ciplined for 4 days’ absence. She balked. Dukes told Admin-
istrator Thomas and ADON Dyer that she was out sick two
of the days and indeed had been sent home by the doctor
from the facility and the other 2 days were scheduled days
off. Thomas said he would check into it. Shortly thereafter
Thomas told Dukes that he owned her an apology that the
reprimand would be destroyed and never filed in Dukes per-
sonnel file. It is my conclusion that Respondent did not vio-
late the Act by this conduct.
On December 29, 1986, Dukes received an oral warning,
reduced to writing, pursuant to Respondent’s practice, for
failure to properly care for her patients by timely providing
nourishment, etc.
Just 2-1/2 months before receiving this warning Dukes had
been evaluated as a ‘‘satisfactory’’ employee who did ‘‘qual-
ity work,’’ was ‘‘dependable’’ and ‘‘has become a very good
employee.’’
Dukes credibly denied, in my opinion, that she was in any
way a less than caring nurses’ aide. It is difficult to believe
that between October 17, 1986 (the end of the rating period)
and December 29, 1986, Dukes’ work performance could
have fallen off so dramatically. I am convinced Respondent
was out to get her and violated Section 8(al(3) when it dis-
ciplined her. This reprimand should be removed from Dukes’
file and not held against her if she applies for employment
at this facility or any other Beverly facility.
On January 6, 1987, just 2 days before the scheduled elec-
tion, Dukes was called into the front office by Administrator
Thomas and ADON Dyer. They showed Dukes her Decem-
ber 29 writeup and a termination notice dated January 6.
They said she was going to be fired. They told Dukes she
was being fired because she wasn’t doing her job any better
than she had been doing it when she got the December 29
writeup. They claimed that two patients, JP and FC, weren’t
being properly positioned. Positioning of patients is the turn-
ing of bed-ridden patients on a regular basis to prevent the
formation of bed sores on their bodies. Dukes said the two
patients could turn themselves. She was told she was fired.
As she was packing up her belongings Dukes told an LPN
why she had been fired. The LPN, Lillian Stanback, told her
to wait a minute. Stanback spoke with Thomas and Dyer and
evidently supported Dukes’ statement that the patients didn’t
require positioning. Dyer and Thomas called Dukes back into
the office. Thomas told Dukes that he apologized again and
told her she was not fired. Dyer was in tears and said they
had made a mistake. Dukes theorize that since she and her
immediate supervisor, Jo Patterson, did not get along that
Patterson had told Thomas and Dyer untruths in an attempt
244 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
to get Dukes fired. I don’t believe that the Act was violated
by Respondent first firing and then rescinding that discharge
when they found out they made a mistake. I believe that
Thomas and Dyer had mistakenly relied on LPN Patterson
and when shown by another LPN that Patterson was wrong
and Dukes right they apologized to Dukes and let her keep
her job. Patterson did not testify. There is no evidence that
Patterson’s hostile feelings toward Dukes were the product of
Dukes’ prounion activity.
D. Change of Work Rules in December 1986
About 1 month before the scheduled election but after the
election campaign had begun Respondent implemented new
work rules that can only be interpreted to have been imple-
mented either to interfere with the union organizing effort
among the employees or to threaten the employees that if
they want a union then conditions around the facility could
get rough.
The changes were as follows:
(1) It was posted that employees were not allowed on the
grounds more than 15 minutes before they began work.
(2) Employees had to be on the floor 5 minutes before the
start of their shift.
(3) Instead of needing a doctor’s excuse for an absence or
3 or more days employees would need a doctor’s excuse for
an absence of 2 or more days.
(4) No personal calls (in or out) from the phone at the
nurses’ station would be allowed unless the employee had
permission from a supervisor or it was an emergency.
Employee Diane Mead testified that in December she was
told not to be in the home unless working because of the
union activity at the facility.
Prior to these changes in December 1986 employees were
allowed on the premises more than 15 minutes before their
shift started, didn’t have to be on the floor until the shift ac-
tually started, needed a doctor’s excuse only if an absence
was for 3 days or more, and were permitted to make and re-
ceive phone calls using the phone at the nurses’ station.
Tracy Thomas credibly testified that right after the union or-
ganizing campaign began in November 1986 Respondent
cracked down and would not permit personal use of the
phone as it had in the past. These changes were enacted to
cause the employees to vote against the Union and their en-
actment was violative of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
E. Alleged Discriminatory Treatment of Employee
Diane L. Mead
Diane Mead, who was still an employee of Respondent but
out on workman’s compensation at the time of the hearing,
testified that she was hired as a nurses’ aide in July 1985.
In August or September 1986, before the union organizing
campaign began, she was transferred into the medical records
office, where she had access to the addresses and phone
numbers of employees.
Mead was active on behalf of the Union. She handbilled
in front of the facility. Respondent, in rating employees as
to whether they were very prounion (1) or very antiunion (5),
had given Mead a ‘‘1’’ as very prounion.
On or about November 21, 1986, in the midst of the union
organizing campaign, Administrator Thomas ordered that
Mead be transferred out of the back office. Thomas did so
because the unlisted phone numbers of employees were be-
coming known to union organizers, the employees were com-
plaining about it, and he suspected Mead might be leaking
that information to the union organizers. She denied that she
did so. This information was available from other sources,
e.g., other employees, information kept at nurses’ stations,
and also Respondent learned in mid-December 1986 that a
former administrator at the facility had given the names and
telephone numbers of employees to union organizer Ashley
Adams. Interestingly enough I believe that Thomas honestly
thought she may have leaked information at the time he
transferred Mead and I think in this case he acted in good
faith. Mead suffered no loss of income since her hours were
not changed. I conclude that the transfer of Mead under these
circumstances was not a violation of the Act.
In August 1986, before the union organizing campaign
began, Mead received tuition reimbursement for her nursing
studies at Dusquene University on the orders of Respond-
ent’s then regional manager and sometime acting adminis-
trator at the facility, Harry Slacum. Mead received $750 for
nursing courses for the fall semester of 1986.
During the union organizing campaign, mid-November
1986 to January 1987, Mead was prounion, e.g., she
handbilled in front of the facility and was observed doing so.
On January 9, 1987, the day after the election which the
Union lost, Mead applied for tuition reimbursement for the
spring semester of 1987. On February 6, 1987, she was told
she would not receive any tuition reimbursement.
Although technically only full-time personnel were eligible
for tuition reimbursement Slacum knew that Mead was a
part-time employee, although full time in the summer, when
he authorized her to receive tuition reimbursement in August
1986. Mead told Administrator Thomas that Slacum author-
ized tuition reimbursement even though she was a part-time
employee. Thomas later told Mead he checked with Slacum
and Slacum had authorized tuition reimbursement for her, ac-
cording to Thomas, on a one-time-only basis. Mead tried to
get in touch with Slacum without success. The phone number
she called was either busy or no answer. Slacum did not tes-
tify.
It seems clear to me, at least by a preponderance of the
evidence, that the benefit of tuition assistance was withdrawn
because of Mead’s activity on behalf of the Union. She
should be made whole by the payment of money to her that
she would have received. The complication of her work-
men’s compensation status and her employment status can be
addressed at the compliance stage of this litigation.
IV. CARPENTER CARE CENTER I; TRIAL ON NOVEMBER 7,
8, 9, AND 10, 1988; CHARGING PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199P
This is the first of two cases involving this facility. Dis-
trict 1199P began its organizing campaign at Carpenter Care
Center in February 1987. It sought to represent two different
units, i.e., a unit of service and maintenance employees
(nurses aides, dietary aides, etc.) and a unit of LPNs. Elec-
tions were held on April 30 and December 2, 1987, for the
service and maintenance employees’ unit and the LPN unit,
respectively. The Union was later certified by the Board as
the collective-bargaining representative for both bargaining
units. The election in the LPN unit was delayed by a hearing
in April, May, and June 1987 which concerned the issue of
whether LPNs were employees or supervisors under the Act
245BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
and, therefore, either eligible or not eligible to be in a bar-
gaining unit.
It is alleged that Respondent violated the Act during the
organizing campaign with various 8(a)(1) violations and after
the campaign by disciplining LPNs Marie Meador, Erika
Evans, Lynn Smith, and Pamela Newell because they sup-
ported the Union. It is further alleged that Respondent by-
passed the Union and dealt directly with employees.
A. The 8(a)(1) Conduct During Union
Organizing Campaign
On February 23, 1987, LPN Lynn Smith was called into
a meeting. At this meeting Mary McKune, the director of
nursing (DON) at Carpenter Care Center, advised the LPNs
and nurses present that another union organizing campaign
was beginning and asked the employees what they knew
about it. Smith said she was in favor of the Union. McRune
expressed shock at this and asked Smith why she was in
favor of the Union. This was clearly unlawful interrogation
in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. Rossmore House,
supra. Respondent, at this time, was taking the position that
LPNs were supervisors and could not be represented by the
Union. They were wrong on this point. As noted above the
LPNs were found to be employees and not statutory super-
visors by the Board and they selected the union to represent
them. McKune does not contradict Smith but merely noted
in her testimony that she thought the LPNs were supervisors
and her interrogation therefore legal. Administrator Andrew
Durako and Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) Jean
Franco were present at this meeting.
In early March 1987 another meeting was held in the
DON’s office. Present were DON McKune, ADON Jean
Franko, and Administrator Andrew Durako. Alice Fike, an
LPN, who resigned from Respondent’s employ in mid-April
1987, credibly testified that Durako asked the people in at-
tendance, which included, among others, LPN Marie Meador,
what they knew about the union and if they had been ap-
proached by the union. He went on to ask them what the
Union could do for the employees. DON McKune also asked
what kind of problems existed such that an employee might
want a union. Durako claimed that Respondent could handle
any problems the employees had regarding such matters as
understaffing and lack of supplies and that a union was not
needed.
Respondent, by Durako and McKune, clearly violated Sec-
tion 8(a)(1) of the Act with this unlawful interrogation of
employees. In addition, Durako unlawfully promised to cor-
rect any complaints or grievances the employees had in order
to keep the union out. This also is a violation of Section
8(a)(1). Respondent knew at the time that the Union was
seeking to represent the LPNs. Durako testified that he
doesn’t remember what he said at this meeting. McKune says
merely that Respondent considered the LPNs supervisors and
not eligible to join a union and they could therefore be ques-
tioned as they were about the union activities of other em-
ployees, etc. She was wrong.
Then laundry aide Pamela Miller, who voluntarily left Re-
spondent’s employ in September 1988, testified that back in
mid-March 1987 her supervisor, Shirley Ribler, asked her if
she had discussed her asthma problems with the union. Mil-
ler had an asthma problem and had been hospitalized for it
in February 1987. Kibler went on to say that there are spies
and maybe that is why Miller was being given a hard time.
Miller had indeed been to a recent union meeting. Kibler, in
her statement to Miller, created the impression that the union
activities of employees were under surveillance. This is a
clear cut violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. Kibler did
not testify.
On March 3, 1987, nurses aide Susan McLaughlin came
to the facility with her two young daughters to pick up her
paycheck. She was upset because she had just found out that
her ex-husband, the father of her little girls, was sick. It was
around 2 p.m.
Administrator Durako was called by an employee in pay-
roll when McLaughlin asked her for her check. Durako came
to the office and asked McLaughlin if she knew the policy
a the home. He went on to tell her that checks could not be
picked up until 3 p.m. She told Durako that she had picked
her check up before 3 p.m. in the past as had others. Durako
said he was sick of employees getting special favors and that
they thought they’d get everything they wanted if the union
got in but it wouldn’t be any better. When Durako was told
by McLaughlin that her daughters’ father was ill he became
apologetic, let her pick up her check, and asked her not to
tell anyone about what had happened. The taking away of a
benefit—early pick up of checks—because of a union orga-
nizing campaign is a violation of Section 8(a)(1). The mes-
sage is clear, i.e., if you vote for the union working condi-
tions won’t be as nice.
On October 9, 1987, Respondent granted a wage increase
of 60 cents per hour to all LPNs. Respondent claims it did
so because a number of LPNs had quit and they needed to
give a pay raise to keep the LPNs they had on board. This
wage increase was given on the eve of the election in the
LPN unit which was held on December 2, 1987. Based on
the timing of the wage increase in relation to the election and
considering Respondent’s antiunion position it is clear to me
that the granting of this wage increase violated Section
8(a)(1) of the Act since it was intended to effect the outcome
of the election toward Respondent’s position, i.e., a vote
against the union.
B. Suspension of Marie Meador
Marie Meador was suspended for 3 days on July 7, 1987,
for allegedly mistreating a nurses aide.
At the time she was suspended Meador was veteran of 10
years service at this facility as an LPN. She was active on
behalf of the union and was well known by Respondent to
be prounion. She wore a union button at work. In addition,
she sat at the union counsel table and testified at the hearings
in April, May, and June 1987 wherein the status of the LPNs
as supervisors or employees was litigated.
Suffice it to say on June 4, 1987, LPN Marie Meador got
into an argument with nurses aide Melinda Rogers. Slightly
more than month later Meador was disciplined. Meador
thought that Rogers, who testified as a witness for Respond-
ent at the LPN hearings, had lied about an incident involving
Meador. Meador was an LPN on the 3 to 11 p.m. shift and
approached Rogers. She asked Rogers if her conscience was
bothering her. Rogers replied in the negative. Meador went
on to say she was going to sue Rogers and take her to court
because she lied at the hearing. Meador went on to say that
Rogers worked for her and if she didn’t like it she could call
in sick. Rogers asked Meador if Meador was threatening her
246 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
and Meador said to her that she could take it anyway she
wanted. This exchange between Meador, who appears to be
in her fifties, and Rogers, who is in her twenties, was ob-
served by nurses aide Audrey Russell and some others. Rus-
sell told Meador not to talk to Rogers like that. With respect
to what Meador, an LPN, said to Rogers, an aide, I credit
Rogers and Russell. Meador and Rogers agree that they were
both speaking loudly. Russell, who I don’t credit on this one
point, claims that only Meador raised her voice. Meador was
prounion. Rogers and Russell were antiunion.
Meador is not a statutory supervisor but was over aide
Melinda Rogers. Clearly Meador should not have criticized
Rogers, someone under her, because of that underling’s testi-
mony at the hearing and should not have threatened her with
a lawsuit. But the question remains whether Respondent sus-
pended Meador for 3 days without pay—the most severe
form of discipline short of discharge— because of Meador’s
prounion activity or some other reason. I believe Respondent
suspended her rather than giving her an oral reprimand be-
cause of Meador’s prounion activity. In the suspension write-
up Respondent refers to Meador as a ‘‘supervisor’’ although
that was the very issue in the hearing. Meador was a 10-year
veteran with an outstanding record. Respondent conceded
that she was an excellent LPN. Meador is an emotional per-
son and quick to cry. Her reaction to Rogers was wrong but
Rogers yelled back and she was not disciplined in any way.
In view of Respondent’s antiunion posture, Meador’s signifi-
cant involvement with the union, the fact that this is the only
blemish on this 10-year veteran’s record, the absence of any
discipline of any LPN for similar misconduct, I must con-
clude applying the Wright Line, supra, analysis that this very
severe penalty of suspension for 3 days without pay was
meted out because of Meador’s protected concerted activity
and Meador would not have been disciplined but for her
prounion activity. This is a violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the
Act.
C. Discharge of Erika Evans
On August 19, 1987, LPN Erika Evans was indefinitely
suspended pending investigation and on August 24, 1987,
was fired because of an incident on August 16, 1987, which
Respondent in the termination notice described as ‘‘gross
misconduct and insubordinate behavior’’ but which was re-
ferred to during the hearing as the ‘‘mooning’’ incident.
Evans was a nurses aide. She had worked at the home
since 1978 and prior to her suspension and discharge for the
incident in August 1987 had not been disciplined since 1978.
An unblemished record for 9 years.
Evans was active on behalf of the Union. She handbilled
in front of the home. She spoke in favor of the Union at em-
ployee meetings which management called. She wore a union
pin. She testified for the Union during the LPN hearings
which were held in April, May, and June 1987.
Evans’ last rating period ended in June 1986. In each of
eight categories she was rated either ‘‘outstanding’’ (highest
rating possible) or ‘‘very good’’ (the second highest rating).
In short, her work record was outstanding.
On August 16, 1987, a Sunday, Evans and several other
nurses’ aides engaged in behavior that would be considered
to be silly or juvenile but potentially serious, i.e., the aides
were putting on call lights and were loudly laughing about
it. They were told by a supervisor to be quiet. Evans is a
young woman in her twenties and was noticeably pregnant
at the time. Evans was not disciplined for this horseplay but
rather she was disciplined because she said that whoever
complained could ‘‘kiss my ass’’ and she actually pulled
down her maternity pants several inches in the presence of
Mary Hebna, a woman who appeared to be 20 years Evans’
senior, and who was the senior management official on duty
at the facility at the time. Hebna was social services director
and a former nurses aide herself. Evans, after pulling her
pants down, immediately pulled them back up.
Both Evans and LPN Lynn Smith admit that Evans said
‘‘kiss my ass’’ or ‘‘kiss my butt.’’ Both claim that Hebna
then said ‘‘bare it baby’’ before Evans actually pulled down
her pants 4 or 5 inches and bared part of one cheek of her
bare buttocks. Hebna claims she did not say ‘‘bare it baby’’
but said ‘‘in your condition [Evans was pregnant] you don’t
want to bare your bottom.’’
No residents in the home observed this incident. The only
witnesses were female employees of the facility. I conclude
that Hebna did say to Evans ‘‘you don’t want to bare your
bottom’’ but that Evans and Smith honestly believed she said
‘‘bare it.’’ The ‘‘mooning’’ was partial and over in an in-
stant. It was clearly inappropriate behavior, but was Evans
discharged for that reason or because of her prounion activi-
ties. I note that Hebna is an ex-nurses aide and Smith and
Evans were nurses aides. These are people on the front lines
of elderly resident care. These are people who clean up after
residents who have been sick and thrown up or who have
soiled themselves because they are incontinent. They are
tougher, I suspect, and less squeemish, I’m sure, than your
average person. And thank God, there are people willing to
do that kind of work for a living. Hebna simply could not
have been that appalled by Evans’ conduct.
Based on Respondent’s antiunion posture, Evans’ prounion
activity, the relatively insignificant nature of this incident
(the witnesses to it laughed with the possible exception of
Hebna) applying the Wright Line, supra, analysis I must con-
clude that Respondent’s harsh discipline of Evans was moti-
vated by her prounion activity and that Respondent violated
Section 8(a)(3) of the Act in discharging Evans. Not surpris-
ingly ‘‘mooning’’ is apparently rare even in the nursing
home business. This was the only discipline in this litigation
involving ‘‘mooning.’’
D. Written Warning to Lynn Smith
On August 27, 1987, Lynn Smith received a written warn-
ing for two incidents which occurred on August 16, 1987. In
the first incident LPN Lynn Smith along with nurses aides
Carol Shotwell and Sue McLaughlin lifted laundry aide Jose-
phine Clete into a food cart and spun the cart about. All four
employees LPN Smith, nurses aides Shotwell and
McLaughlin, and laundry aide Clete received written warn-
ings. Since all four were similarly disciplined I cannot and
do not find that Smith’s written warning for the food cart in-
cident was unlawful.
The second incident for which Smith received the written
warning was because she observed Erika Evans ‘‘moon’’
Mary Hebna and (a) did nothing about it, and (b) laughed
and this part of the written warning, I believe, was unlaw-
fully given to Smith. How can Smith’s failure to discipline
Evans be improper since what Evans did she did in the pres-
ence of Smith and Smith’s senior, i.e., Mary Hebna. Hebna
247BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
did indeed take action against Evans (see sec. 4,c, above).
Arguably if Hebna had not been a witness to the incident
Smith possibly should have brought it to her attention but
Hebna herself was an eyewitness to the ‘‘mooning.’’ Laugh-
ing at a ‘‘mooning’’ incident is rather involuntary in nature
and not like laughing at a funeral. It is inconceivable that
someone would be disciplined for this absent some other rea-
son.
Smith was active on behalf of the Union, e.g., she was
with union organizer John August on March 10, 1987, when
he went to the facility and demanded recognition of the
Union, she handbilled, although she didn’t testify at the LPN
hearings she did sit at counsel table with the Union, she
wore a union pin, she petitioned management to give the
Union equal access to the facility bulletin board. I believe
her union activity played a key role in that part of the written
warning that charges her with unprofessional conduct regard-
ing the ‘‘mooning’’ matter and that portion of the warning
should be excised. The only practical way would be to re-
write the warning alleging only the food cart incident. Since
aides are lower in the chain of command at this nursing
home than LPNs and since the aides involved in the food
cart incident received written warnings I don’t believe the
law requires that Smith’s written warning be reduced to an
oral warning or fully set aide.
E. Written Warning to Pamela Newell
On August 22, 1988, Pamela Newell, who was the night
cook in the dietary department and who worked at the facil-
ity from August 1983 to October 1988, was issued a written
warning for leaving her work area without permission.
Newell voted in the union election held among the service
and maintenance employees and her vote was challenged by
management. During the course of that challenge Newell told
her supervisor, Dietary Services Manager Marion Holehan,
shortly after the April 1987 election that she voted in favor
of the Union. Newell was also a union delegate and on the
negotiating team. Therefore, management knew she was
prounion.
The delegates, to include Newell, agreed around 11 a.m.
on August 18, 1988, that they would meet with DON Mary
McKune in McKune’s office at 1 p.m. that day. At 1 p.m.
Newell looked for her supervisor, Marion Holehan, and her
assistant, Florence Brady, to tell them she was going to a
union meeting in the DON’s office but she couldn’t find ei-
ther women. She waited a while and finally went to
McKune’s office at 1:45 p.m. She got to the meeting just as
it was ending. She then returned to work. She was at the
meeting approximately 10 minutes.
Newell received a written warning for leaving her work
area without permission. I note that Newell was permitted
two 15-minute breaks during her workday. Her workday on
August 18 was noon to 8 p.m. She usually took one break
before and after her scheduled lunchbreak at 4 p.m. She was
required to clock out for her 15-minute breaks.
It seems clear to me that Newell took her break earlier that
day and attended the tail end of the union meeting which
took her away from her work station for the same amount
of time as her break would have taken her away from her
work station. There is no evidence that Newell’s absence
from the kitchen in any way interfered with the preparation
and serving of meals to the residents. I am forced to con-
clude that she was disciplined because of her union activity.
This is a violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act.
Some 2 months prior to this incident Newell received an
oral warning, which was in writing pursuant to Respondent’s
practice, from the same person who gave her the written
warning in August 1988, i.e., Marion Holehan. This oral
warning is not alleged as violative of the Act but is instruc-
tive in so far as it shows what lengths Respondent was will-
ing to go to punish this active union supporter. In late May
1988 Newell told Holehan that she might have to take leave
if her uncle in New Jersey, who was near death, died.
Holehan said she’d have to check the schedule and see if Re-
spondent could accommodate Newell. Newell allegedly said
‘‘Fuck the job. If he dies, I’m going.’’ Newell claimed she
didn’t say ‘‘fuck the job’’ but if in her anguish she did say
that it is incredibly cruel and heartless but nonetheless true
that she was written up for using foul language. This type
of discipline could only be attributed to Holehan being hell-
bent to get Newell. Holehan did not testify.
F. Unilateral Changes
On August 11, 1988, which was after the Union was cer-
tified by the Board as collective-bargaining representative for
the service and maintenance unit which included nurses aides
and Respondent and the Union were in negotiations for a
contract Respondent, without prior notice to the Union and
without affording the Union an opportunity to bargain, uni-
laterally implemented a new policy which gave a $50 bonus
to nurses aides who worked an additional two shifts beyond
their normal shifts in a pay period. This is a clear cut viola-
tion of Section 8(a)(5) of the Act. Wages are a mandatory
subject of bargaining and before making any unilateral
changes in this area an employer must give notice and oppor-
tunity to bargain about it to the representative of the employ-
ees.
G. Bypassing the Union and Dealing Directly with
the Employees
Negotiations between Respondent and the Union began in
May 1988 with respect to both the service and maintenance
unit and the LPN unit. After the parties had agreed on all
noneconomic issues there was a hiatus in negotiations. Dur-
ing this hiatus—in August 1988—groups of employees
(mostly union delegates) met with Andrew Durako, the ad-
ministrator, to complain about short staffing. Durako told
employees to check with the Union to see about getting back
to the negotiating table to discuss economic issues. If there
were better wages, the argument went, it would be easier to
keep employees and to recruit new employees. Hence, the
short staffing problem could be resolved.
Since the employees met with Durako on their own mo-
tion and not his and since Durako merely told the employees
to contact their union I don’t find that this conduct rises to
the level of the unfair labor practice of management bypass-
ing the Union and dealing directly with the employees on
terms and conditions of employment.
248 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
V. MAGNOLIA MANOR, MAGNOLIA, ARKANSAS; TRIAL ON
SEPTEMBER 18, 1989; CHARGING PARTY IS UFCW
LOCAL 1583
The Union was the certified representative of the employ-
ees at Magnolia Manor. A collective-bargaining agreement
was in effect which ran from September 18, 1986, to Sep-
tember 17, 1987. The contract called for full-time employees
to receive 5 days’ vacation with pay after 1 year of employ-
ment and 10 days’ vacation with pay after 3 years of em-
ployment.
It is alleged that in the middle of June 1987 that Annie
Cornelius, the dietary services manager, circulated a petition
among unit employees to decertify the Union and promised
employees that if the Union was decertified that they would
receive improved vacation benefits. Respondent admits that
Cornelius was a supervisor and agent of Respondent within
the meaning of the Act.
I credit the testimony of Dorothy Gay, the administrator,
that she did not authorize or even know of Cornelius’ efforts
to decertify the Union. Gay impressed me as a credible wit-
ness.
Annie Cornelius, on the other hand, did not impress me
as credible at all. She was contradicted by four witnesses,
i.e., Dorothy Lewis, Leslie Ann Williams, Tennessee
McDaniels, and Charlotte Ford, all of who I found credible
and all of whom were bargaining unit employees.
Dorothy Lewis, who is no longer with Respondent, testi-
fied that Annie Cornelius approached her as she was about
to run a whirlpool bath and asked her to sign a petition to
get the Union out and if successful Lewis would get 3
weeks’ vacation and better benefits. Lewis signed the peti-
tion. Later that day she saw Tennessee McDaniels who asked
Lewis if she had signed the petition. Lewis said yes. Ruby
Manning also asked Lewis if she signed the petition and
Lewis again said yes. Lewis, McDaniels, and Manning were
all nursing aides. Lewis thought better of her decision to
sign, sought out Cornelius and crossed her signature off the
petition. That portion of the petition where Lewis’ name is
crossed out was introduced into evidence and corroborates
Lewis’ testimony.
I also credit the testimony, as noted above, of nurses aide
Leslie Ann Williams and housekeeper Charlotte Ford. These
ladies testified that Cornelius called them into a patient’s
room and asked them to sign a petition to get the Union out
and if the Union was out, Cornelius went on the tell them,
they would get 3 weeks’ vacation like the employees do at
Hamburg. Respondent owned a facility in Hamburg, Arkan-
sas. Williams and Ford refused to sign the petition. Williams
was not a member of the Union but was in the unit. Wil-
liams is still an employee at the facility. Ford is no longer
at the facility. Ford had dropped her union membership near-
ly 6 months before this incident with Cornelius. Needless to
say neither Williams nor Ford could be classified as such
faithful union supporters that they might lie for the Union.
I credit the testimony of Tennessee McDaniels, who is no
longer with the facility, that during the summer of 1987
Cornelius approached her in the dining room hall and asked
her to sign the petition to get the Union out and she would
get 3 weeks’ vacation like the employees do at Hamburg and
better benefits. She didn’t sign the petition.
Cornelius was simply not credible. She claimed employee
Ira Wyrick asked her to give some papers to Lewis and she
did so. Period. She claimed she never asked Lewis, Ford,
Williams, or McDaniels to sign anything. I don’t believe her.
As noted above Respondent did own a facility in Ham-
burg, Arkansas, named Leisure Lodge, where the employees
were represented by the same union which represented the
employees at Magnolia Manor, i.e., UFCW 1538. Those em-
ployees as it turned out had the same vacation benefits as the
employees at Magnolia Manor.
Since I credit the testimony of Lewis, Williams, Ford, and
McDaniels it is obvious that Respondent violated Section
8(a)(1) and (5) of the Act by promising improved vacation
benefits if employees signed a petition to decertify the
Union. Maxi City Deli, 282 NLRB 742, 745 (1987).
VI. COLONIAL PARK NURSING HOME, MARSHALL, TEXAS;
TRIAL ON SEPTEMBER 11, 12, AND 15, 1989; CHARGING
PARTY IS SEIU 606
On April 14, 1987 nurses aide Joyce Garmon was fired.
In the termination notice it read that Garmon ‘‘insulted and
used abusive language to Administrator. Neglected residents
by not changing and drying them as per policy and as per
request of Administrator.’’ The written termination notice
was prepared a day after the discharge.
Joyce Garmon, a middle-aged black woman who is 5 feet
8 inches tall and weighed 190 pounds at the time she was
fired, was actively prounion. She joined the Union during the
organizing campaign. She handbilled. She and 33 other em-
ployees signed a document which was posted inside the facil-
ity before the election urging their fellow employees to vote
for the Union. The Union won the October 10, 1986 election
and was certified by the Board. Garmon and nine other em-
ployees were on the negotiating team for the Union. Garmon
attended approximately four negotiating sessions between
November 1986 and her discharge on April 14, 1987. She
missed only two sessions. She missed the session on March
17, 1987, because her husband had died 3 days earlier. The
last session she attended was on March 31, 1987, about 2
weeks before she was fired. At this session she and Steve
Rinolo, the chief spokesman for Respondent, got into an ar-
gument. They were talking about a wage increase and Rinolo
pointed out that wages in parts of Texas other than Marshall,
where the facility is located, pay more and if the employees
wanted to make the money they were requesting ($3.55 per
hour) they should move. Suffice it to say tempers flared a
bit and Garmon was angered that the employees were being
told to move and Dionicia Rivera, the administrator of this
facility and the man who fired Garnon, saw this heated ex-
change between Garmon, an employee under him, and
Rinolo, a person some steps above Rivera in the corporate
chain of command. Garmon had never been disciplined be-
fore April 14, 1987. Her ratings were ‘‘satisfactory.’’
At approximately 5 a.m. on April 14, 1987, Rivera, a
short, slight man, 5 feet 5 inches and 136 pounds, of
Phillipine extraction who speaks English with an accent and
had been in the Unites States for only 6 years, came into the
facility to make rounds. A short time prior to this day a state
survey of the facility had revealed some deficiencies, to in-
clude patients with bed sores. Bed sores can be the result of
patients being left wet. Part of the facility’s plan of correc-
tion to remedy the deficiencies revealed in the state survey
was to put greater emphasis on keeping patients dry.
249BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
Rivera made rounds on the wing where Garmon worked
with licensed vocational nurse (LVN) Mary Jo Haggerty. In
Texas LPNs are apparently called LVNs. Rivera saw a pa-
tient in one room who was wet. He put on the call light and
went to the next room and saw another patient who was wet
and put that call light on as well. When he exited the second
room he saw that Garmon, the nurses aide responsible for re-
sponding to the call lights, had turned off the first light. He
went into a third room and found yet another patient wet. Ri-
vera asked Garmon if she was going to dry the patient.
Garmon said she would dry the patient. Rivera got angry and
said ‘‘don’t turn off the call light until after you dry the pa-
tient.’’ Rivera claims Garmon first raised her voice. Garmon
said Rivera raised his voice first and then she raised her
voice. LVN Haggerty was present at this exchange between
Rivera and Garmon. Also present was nurses aide Ann Boyd,
who is no longer in Respondent’s employ. Rivera again
asked Garmon if she was going to dry the patient. She said,
‘‘I’ll dry the patient.’’ Rivera asked, ‘‘Are you challenging
my authority?’’ Garmon replied ‘‘no.’’ Rivera fired Garmon
on the spot.
Rivera claims that before he fired her Garmon threatened
him by saying ‘‘I’m going to whip your ass.’’ Garmon
credibly denies that she said that to Rivera. Haggerty, who
is still in Respondent’s employ, and has many attributes of
a supervisor, i.e., authority to approve employees not coming
into work or leaving work if sick and the authority to give
oral and written warnings to other employees, was the closest
person to the exchange between Garmon and Rivera.
Haggerty testified credibly that Garmon did not say to Ri-
vera, ‘‘I’m going to whip your ass’’ or words to that effect.
Haggerty concedes that Garmon was insubordinate to Rivera
when she sarcastically told Rivera she would clean the pa-
tients. Ann Boyd, who no longer works at the facility, testi-
fied credibly that she also overheard the exchange between
Rivera and Garmon and Garmon did not say to Rivera that
she was going to ‘‘whip his ass’’ or words to that effect.
Boyd, I note, was a nurses aide, and was opposed to the
Union.
I conclude as a matter of fact that Garmon did not threaten
Rivera or say ‘‘I’m going to whip your ass’’ or words to that
effect. The only evidence she did is Rivera’s testimony, and
I find Garmon, Raggerty, and Boyd more credible. Respond-
ent put into evidence a statement from LVN Lucille Shaw,
which came from Respondent’s files. Shaw, in this statement,
claims that she heard Garmon say to Rivera ‘‘I might as well
whip your so and so you’re going to fire me any way.’’
Shaw did not testify.
Although insubordination in Respondent’s handbook is an
offense for which an employee can be fired for a first of-
fense as distinguished from first being orally warned and
then receiving a written warning I note that evidence at the
hearing reflects that between January 1, 1986, and December
31, 1987, four employees received oral warnings for insubor-
dination, seven received written warnings for insubordina-
tion, and only two employees, Carney Pierce and Laverne
Russell, were discharged for insubordination. Both Pierce
and Russell, contrary to Garmon, had long histories of insub-
ordinate conduct.
Orell Fitzsimmons, business agent for the Union, testified
that he spoke with Rivera subsequent to Garmon’s discharge.
According to Fitzsimmons Rivera told him that in firing
Garmon he was only following orders and when Fitz-
simmons asked Rivera if Roger Brown, Respondent’s re-
gional human resources representative, who was present at
the March 31, 1987 negotiating session when Garmon and
Rinolo argued, had ordered that Garmon be fired Rivera, ac-
cording to Fitzsimmons, refused to answer the question. Ri-
vera denies he said he fired Garmon on orders from above.
Rivera testified he fired Garmon because of her insubordinate
attitude.
Since I conclude that Garmon did not threaten Rivera I
must and do, in light of the other evidence, conclude that
Garmon was discharged because of her participation in union
activity to include her heated exchange with Rinolo just 2
weeks before her discharge. Hence, Section 8(a)(3) of the
Act was violated. Garmon, who had ‘‘satisfactory’’ ratings
and no prior discipline, was discharged for insubordination at
a facility where only 2 employees out of 13 disciplined for
insubordination had been discharged while the other 11 re-
ceived lesser discipline and the 2 employees who were dis-
charged had long records of insubordination.
Haggerty was of the opinion that Garmon was insubordi-
nate but did not threaten Rivera. Boyd testified that when Ri-
vera told Garmon that patients were wet she said it wasn’t
time for hall check, which would be at 6 a.m. and this was
only 5:45 a.m. Garmon said she would clean and dry the pa-
tients and was in the process of doing so. If Garmon was in-
subordinate and if Rivera had orally or even in writing rep-
rimanded her for that it would be one thing but to fire this
prounion supporter was massive overkill. Garmon was dis-
charged because of her protected concerted activity in viola-
tion of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act. I reach this conclusion ap-
plying the Wright Line, supra, analysis. In light of all the
facts I conclude that either no discipline or much more minor
discipline would have been meted out to Garmon absent her
concerted activity, which included speaking her mind at the
negotiating session 2 weeks before her discharge.
VII. CLAYSTONE MANOR, ENNIS, TEXAS; TRIAL ON
SEPTEMBER 13, 14, AND 15, 1989; CHARGING PARTY
IS SEIU 606
The Union mounted a union organizing campaign at
Claystone Manor in the fall of 1986. An election was held
on December 19, 1986. The Union lost the election.
It is alleged that Respondent violated the Act when DON
Jajuana Brunk on November 11 and 12, 1986, threatened
nurses aide Denise Kirven with discipline and discharge be-
cause of her activities on behalf of the Union, when Denise
Kirven was issued a written warning on November 12, 1986,
and when Denise Kirven was discharged on March 19, 1987.
It is alleged that all these things were done because of
Kirven’s union activities.
During the campaign Kirven was openly prounion and the
management at the facility was well aware of it, e.g., pieces
of union campaign literature, some with Kirven’s picture and
name on it and some with just her name on it, had come to
the attention of Administrator Dorothy Mahoney and other
supervisors at the facility.
Kirven began her employment at the facility in August
1985. On November 11, 1986, a union flyer was passed out
which had separate photographs of four employees, one of
whom was Denise Kirven. The flyer said ‘‘we’re organizing
a union because’’ and next to Kirven’s picture it said ‘‘of
250 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
unfair disciplining.’’ The flyer went on to say right next to
Kirven’s picture that ‘‘when an employee gets written up,
she doesn’t know anything about it.’’
DON Brunk, with this flyer in hand, came into the break
area at the facility and ordered Kirven into her office. Brunk
told Kirven that she (Brunk) had never written up Kirven un-
fairly. The next day, November 12, 1986, Brunk called
Kirven back into her office and told Kirven that she (Kirven)
was bad-mouthing Beverly and that she (Kirven) should shut
her mouth or Brunk would throw the book at her for insubor-
dination. All that day Brunk watched Kirven closely.
In February 1987—2 months later and after the election—
Kirven saw her file and saw that she had received an oral
warning, which was reduced to writing, for unprofessional
conduct, insubordination and poor attitude toward supervisors
and fellow employees.
It is clear to me that Kirven was threatened and disciplined
(an oral warning placed in her file) because of her activities
on behalf of the Union. Kirven saw her file in February 1987
when she inspected it in connection with a written warning
she received at that time, i.e., February 1987. This written
warning for failing to attend to the needs of a patient is not
alleged to have been given unlawfully. During this same in-
spection of her file Kirven did not see a written warning
dated January 6, 1987, and signed by LVN Tim Massey for
insubordination. With respect to this warning of January 6,
1987, Massey had supposedly told her to double-check her
floor. She got angry and claimed her floor was OK. A pa-
tient was later found wet. In addition, she did not see a writ-
ten employee memorandum, which had no box checked indi-
cating whether it was an oral warning, a written warning, a
suspension, or discharge. This writeup was also for insubor-
dination and dated January 5, 1987. It was signed by Steve
Maxey, activity director at the facility. It was not until March
1987 that Kirven saw these two writeups for the first time.
Kirven called the 800 number where employees could
make complaints to Beverly. She left a message on the 800
number that she had received a number of writeups and
didn’t know anything about them. She asked that Roger
Everett, human resources manager, call her on this matter.
He never did.
On March 18, 1987, Kirven was fired. Her discharge
writeup was signed by then acting DON Beth Howze. It stat-
ed that Kirven was discharged for unprofessional conduct,
i.e., spreading a malicious rumor among the other nurses
aides that Howze was a witch and practicing witchcraft at the
facility.
I might note at this point that while I found Kirven to be
a credible witness I also found her to be singularly lacking
in sophistication and very gullible. She is quite simply not
very bright. Her discharge writeup reflected that she had
three prior written warnings on file. Kirven testified that
Steve Maxey had told the employees after the election that
writeups prior to 1987 would be taken out of employees’
files in order to put the union campaign behind them. Steve
Maxey, at this time assistant administrator, admits he told
employees that after the election campaign they would be
starting out with a clean slate but denies he said that prior
warnings would be pulled from employees’ files.
Her three written warnings were January 5 (Massey) and
6 (Maxey) and February 27 (failure to provide proper care
to patients), all of which were referred to earlier and all of
which are dated 1987. The only legitimate one was the writ-
ten warning on February 27, 1987, given Kirven by LVN
Mary Taylor for neglect of a patient. The neglect was failure
to clean up the patient and change her linen. Kirven’s expla-
nation was that the patient didn’t want to be turned and the
other morning care would be done later, but this is no de-
fense and, in any event, it is not alleged that this written
warning was given unlawfully.
During the campaign, which ended when the Union lost
the December 19, 1986 election, Kirven passed out literature,
to include the piece of campaign literature with her name and
picture on it dated November 11, 1986, referred to above. A
flyer dated November 19, 1986, contained her photographs
as well and that of three other employees. A flyer singed by
Kirven and 12 other employees demanded that employees be
paid overdue raises by November 28, 1986. It cited two em-
ployees who had overdue raises due them. One of the two
was Denise Kirven.
Prounion flyers, dated December 16 and 18, 1986, bore
Kirven’s signature and those of nine other employees. All
these flyers were posted in the breakroom in the facility,
where management officials could easily see them and they
were handed out in front of the facility.
While Kirven may not have been the world’s greatest
nursing aide (she was counseled a number of times about her
work performance prior to the beginning of the union orga-
nizing campaign), she did receive a performance evaluation
for the period beginning August 5, 1985 (when she was
hired), and which performance evaluation is dated October
31, 1986. She received an overall ‘‘satisfactory’’ rating but
as rated very good’’ in the areas of ‘‘relationship with the
others,’’ ‘‘dependability,’’ and ‘‘initiative.’’ The election pe-
tition was filed in November 1986 shortly after this evalua-
tion.
With respect to the reason for her discharge Kirven admits
that she did discuss with some nurses aides the fact that act-
ing DON Howze read the palms of some aides and Kirven
wanted to know how she could tell the future by doing so.
In point of fact Howze admits that around Halloween—some
4 months earlier—she had read some pals and foretold the
future as a Halloween-type of trick. Howze claims she heard
Kirven talking with some nurses aides in the rest room.
Howze heard Kirven say that Howze was a witch and prac-
ticing witchcraft. None of the nurses aides who Kirven had
spoken with were called as witnesses by either side.
The closeness in time between the distribution of the flyer
wherein Kirven’s picture appeared next to a section of the
flyer complaining about unfair discipline leads me to believe
that Kirven was threatened on November 11, 1986, and given
the oral warning by DON Brunk because of Kirven’s union
activity, specifically her appearance on the flyer and the sub-
stance of the flyer. In addition, I credit that portion of Steve
Maxey’s testimony wherein Maxey said he asked Brunk why
Brunk was so mad at Kirven and Brunk said it was because
of the flyer.
In deciding whether or not Kirven was discharged because
of her prounion activity, I note the following truism: employ-
ees will gossip among themselves about their bosses. That is
a simple fact of the workplace. Howze had acted like a for-
tune teller, had read palms and predicted the future and
Kirven, who I noted above impressed as being not very
bright, was asking her fellow aides not residents or patients
251BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
in the facility or their families and not in a place where resi-
dents or their families could overhear her—how could
Howze tell the future by reading palms. It is inconceivable
to me that Kirven was discharged for engaging in this con-
versation. There must be another reason for the discharge
and that reason, I believe, was Kirven’s prounion activity,
which was well known to the management of the facility.
Maxey, who left Respondent’s employ in April 1987, testi-
fied that Human Resources Representative Roger Brown, on
two occasions, once in November 1986 and once on the day
of the December 19, 1986 election, said, referring to employ-
ees who appeared on the union flyers, that they and the other
troublemakers would be fired and it was Roger Craig’s desire
that they be fired. Craig was the president of Beverly’s then
Texas Division. I don’t believe Maxey on this matter. Roger
Brown credibly denied he ever said this and Administrator
Dorothy Mahoney credibly denied that Brown said it as well
and she was present on both occasions when he supposedly
said it. Maxey was just not credible on this point.
Maxey testified that he wrote up Kirven on January 6,
1987, for insubordination. He testified that he didn’t think
she was insubordinate but wrote her up because DON Tim
Massey told him that he should. He did not check a box on
the form indicating whether it was an oral or written warning
but testified that if it had been a written warning he would
have had to get Kirven to sign it and he did not have her
sign it. Indeed he did not even tell her be wrote her up.
Beth Rowze was Acting DON when she fired Kirven.
Howze testified that she had had trouble with Kirven prior
to discharging her, i.e., Kirven had yelled at Howze and been
negligent in shaving male patients and keeping patients dry.
Howze said she discharged Kirven because she beard Kirven
tell four nursing aides in the bathroom that Howze was a
wicked old witch and did witchcraft on patients and other
aides. Howze, obviously, denied that she was witch. Howze
said she called Administrator Mahoney at home, told her
about what Kirven said, and was given approval by Mahoney
to discharge Kirven.
Beverly campaigned successfully against the Union. The
evidence reflects that Kirven was very active on behalf of the
Union and had satisfactory work performance ratings up to
the period just before the campaign began. Would Kirven
have been fired for discussing a boss with her fellow em-
ployees in private absent her union activity? I think not.
Kirven is not very bright and Howze, I suspect, was smart
enough to realize that. Howze was present during the union
organizing campaign and the death penalty of the work
place, i.e., discharge, would not have been Kirven’s penalty
if Kirven had not been prounion for the offense of talking
about a boss with her fellow employees. The boss herself,
Howze, admits that she read palms of both aides and resi-
dents at the facility and she also read tarot cards. It was so
silly for Kirven in her naivete to suggest Howze was a witch
and could tell the future that no reasonable person could be-
lieve she was fired for that reason. There had to be another
reason and there was. It was Kirven’s prounion activity. Her
discharge was a violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act.
VIII. BEVERLY HEALTH CARE CENTER, GLASGOW, WEST
VIRGINIA. TRIAL ON OCTOBER 16 AND 17, 1989.
CHARGING PARTY IS UNITED STEELWORKERS
OF AMERICA
In a Board-conducted election on July 22, 1987, a majority
of employees in a service and maintenance unit at the Bev-
erly Health Care Center, Glasgow, West Virginia, voted to
be represented by the United Steelworkers of America.
Negotiations for a first collective-bargaining agreement
began on October 22, 1987, and eventually the parties, with
the assistance of a Federal mediator, reached agreement on
May 26, 1988, on a contract, which was ratified by the mem-
bers of the bargaining unit on June 11, 1988. It was effective
retroactively from June 1, 1988, for a 2-year period with a
wage reopener after 1 year.
It is alleged that Respondent violated Section 8(a)(1) and
(5) of the Act by failing and refusing to bargain in good faith
with the Union from December 1987 through May 1988. I
disagree and will recommend that the unfair labor practice
allegations involving this facility be dismissed.
The parties met on October 22, November 5 and 24, and
December 15 and 16, 1987, for several hours on each on of
those days. The chief negotiator for the Union was Larry
Ratliff, a staff representative and subarea director for the
Union. Ratliff remained chief negotiator for the Union
throughout the negotiations. He was assisted by a negotiating
committee of three unit employees. The chief negotiator for
Respondent between October 22 and December 16, 1987,
was Rod Panyik from Respondent’s then Central Division.
Because of a corporate reorganization Panyik was replaced
beginning in January 1988 by George Ulrich from Respond-
ent’s then Eastern Division. Ulrich remained as Respondent’s
chief negotiator until agreement was reached.
The Union made its proposal for a contract on October 22
and the parties discussed it. On November 5 Respondent
made its proposal for a contract and it was discussed. By
November 24 the parties had reached agreement on some
issues. On December 15 and 16 the parties reached agree-
ment on even more issues.
On January 5 Ulrich appeared for the first time. He said
he would go along with all the clauses that Panyik agreed
to although he didn’t like some of them.
Eventually, with union approval, the parties agreed to
modify the way a tie in seniority could be broken by going
back to what the Union had initially proposed to Panyik. The
parties on January 5 agreed to meet again on January 26 and
27 as well as February 16 and 17 and did so. After the ses-
sion on January 5 Ulrich and Ratliff met privately and agreed
to meet privately again on January 25 the night before the
next scheduled negotiating session. They did so. Ulrich, at
this meeting on January 25, informed Ratliff that Beverly,
for the first time in its history, had a year in which it lost
money, i.e., $33 million in 1987 and that the facility in Glas-
gow lost $225,000 in 1987.
On January 26 the parties reached agreement on more mat-
ters and on January 27 they discussed, among other things,
contracting out, military leave, insurance, and weekends off.
On February 16 Respondent made an economic proposal
which was less than what the employees would get if they
252 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
were nonunion. This is not a per se violation of the Act. On
February 17 Ulrich told the Union that the employees will
get no more than what is in the Employee Handbook for the
Eastern Division. Ulrich denies he ever said this but I credit
both Larry Ratliff and Dorothy Tucker, a member of the
union negotiating team and a bargaining unit employee, that
Ulrich said several times during negotiations that the em-
ployees would get no more than what is in the handbook,
which is what nonorganized employees would get. Ratliff
and Tucker impressed me as very honest people. I also credit
Tucker that during the union organizing campaign that Mike
Plott, who was helping to run Respondent’s campaign against
the Union, said that if the Union got in the employees would
get no more than what they will get under the handbook as
nonunion employees.
The management-rights clause proposed by Respondent
was discussed on November 24 and December 16. It was
very broad and Respondent eventually modified it when the
parties met with the Federal mediator. It is alleged that Re-
spondent’s insistence on this broad management rights clause
by itself amounted to bad-faith bargaining. However, the
USWA entered into a collective-bargaining agreement with
another Beverly facility, i.e., Pleasant Grove in Alabama, and
that agreement contained a management-rights clause iden-
tical in all respects to the one proposed by Respondent dur-
ing these negotiations.
On February 17 the parties agreed to meet again on March
24 and 25, as well as on April 7 and 8 and they did so. On
March 24 and 25 the parties discussed a host of subjects and
agreed on some, e.g., holidays, sick days, vacation. On April
7 the parties met from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and reached
agreement on pension rights and dues checkoff. On April 8
Respondent modified the management-rights clause. The
original proposal of Respondent was as follows:
3. ARTICLE II MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
The Employer retains the exclusive right to manage
the facility, to direct, control and schedule its oper-
ations and work force and to make any and all deci-
sions affecting the business. Such prerogatives, rights,
powers, authority and functions shall include but are by
no means whatsoever limited to the sole and exclusive
rights to:
1. Hire, promote, demote, layoff, assign, transfer,
suspend, discharge or discipline employees.
2. Select and determine the number of its employees
assigned to any particular work.
3. To increase or decrease that number.
4. Direct and schedule the work force.
5. Determine the location and type of operation.
6. Determine and schedule when overtime shall be
worked.
7. Install or remove equipment.
8. Determine the methods, procedures, materials, and
operations to be utilized or to discontinue their per-
formance by employees of the Employer and/or to con-
tract or subcontract the same.
9. Transfer or relocate any or all of the operations
of the business to any location or to discontinue such
operations, by sale or otherwise, in whole or in part at
any time.
10. Establish, increase or decrease the number of
work shifts and their starting and/or ending times.
11. Determine the work duties of employees.
12. Establish new wage rates for new positions.
13. Require duties other than those normally as-
signed be performed.
14. Select supervisory employees.
15. Train employees.
16. Discontinue or reorganize or combine any depart-
ment or branch of operations with any consequent re-
duction or other change in the working force.
17. Introduce new and improved methods of oper-
ations, regardless of whether such may cause a reduc-
tion in the work force.
18. Establish, change, combine or abolish job classi-
fications and determine job content and qualifications.
19. Determine reasonable work pace [sic], work per-
formance levels and standards of performance of the
employees, and in all respects carry out, in addition, the
ordinary and customary functions of management, all
without hindrance or interference by the Union, except
as specifically altered or modified by the express writ-
ten terms of this agreement.
The functions and responsibilities herein reserved are
expressly excluded from grievance provisions of the
Agreement and failure to exercise any of the functions
whether or not expressly stated herein, shall not con-
stitute a waiver thereof.
The foregoing statement of the rights of management
and of the Employer functions are not all inclusive, but
indicate the type of matters or rights which belong to
and are inherent in management, and shall not be con-
strued in any way to exclude other Employer functions
not specifically enumerated. Any of the rights, powers,
or authority the Employer has when there was no agree-
ment are retained by the Employer and may be exer-
cised without prior notice to and consultation with the
Union except those specifically abridged or modified by
this agreement and any supplement agreement that may
hereinafter be made.
On April 8 Respondent deleted the last two paragraphs of
the management-rights clause. Respondent increased its year-
ly wage increase from 2 to 2.5 percent and then to 2.75 per-
cent, which was part of what it termed its last and final offer.
The Union rejected it.
On April 25 and May 26 the parties were assisted by a
Federal mediator. Each session lasted several hours. Agree-
ment was reached. Respondent raised its wage increase to 3
percent. Respondent wanted a 1-year contract, the Union
wanted a 3-year contract. The parties agreed to a 2-year con-
tract with a wage reopener after 1 year. On June 11, 1988,
the unit employees ratified the contract and it was signed ef-
fective retroactively to June 1, 1988.
In light of the facts that the parties reached agreement on
a first contract after 7 months of negotiations (October 22 to
May 26) and after they had met in 13 separate negotiating
sessions (neither party failed to show up at any session) and
in 2 private meetings between the chief negotiators for each
side, and considering that there were no issues which the
parties failed or refused to discuss, it is my considered judg-
ment that the General Counsel has failed to show that Re-
253BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
spondent negotiated in bad faith in violation of Section
8(a)(1) and (5) of the Act.
IX. BEVERLY MANOR OF READING I, BIRDSBORO,
PENNSYLVANIA; TRIAL OF NOVEMBER 15, 16, AND 17,
1988, AND FEBRUARY 23, 1989; CHARGING PARTY IS
DISTRICT 1199P
This is the first of two trials involving this facility. The
other case is discussed further in this decision.
On November 30, 1984, the Union won an election to rep-
resent a unit of service and maintenance employees. The
Union was certified on December 10, 1984, and is acknowl-
edged by the parties to be the collective-bargaining agent for
the employees for the period relevant to the unfair labor
practice allegations.
A. Information Request
It is alleged that Respondent violated Section 8(a)(1) and
(5) of the Act when it failed to honor an information request
from the Union concerning why employees Wendy Frymoyer
and Beverly Troxel had been denied enrollment in the health
plan offered at the facility. They were denied plan coverage,
according to Respondent, because they were overweight. A
grievance was filed.
The Union, by letter dated September 9, 1986, requested
that Respondent furnish it with the following information to
process this grievance:
(1) Written notice denying Wendy Frymoyer and
Beverly Troxel their health and welfare benefits.
(2) Documentation of the criteria used for health and
welfare eligibility of Beverly Enterprises’ employees,
particularly those who enrolled during the open enroll-
ment period.
(3) Documentation of the scale that Beverly Enter-
prises allegedly used in this case to determine that Ms.
Frymoyer and Ms. Troxel are overweight.
On November 12, 1986, the Union, by letter, requested
that Respondent furnish it with the following information
needed to process the grievance:
(1) Complete copies of the personnel files of both
employees, (i.e., Frymoyer and Troxel) including all
records of any and all physical examinations, perform-
ance evaluations, job descriptions, attendance records,
and all records, forms, applications, and other informa-
tion pertaining to application for coverage under the
Beverly Enterprise Employee Group Health Plan.
(2) A copy of the Summary Plan Description for the
Beverly Enterprises Employee Group Plan, including
any and all information pertaining to criteria used to ex-
clude employees from coverage under said plan.
It is obvious the the above-requested information was nec-
essary and relevant in order for the Union to perform its
function as the collective-bargaining representative of the
employees. A union can not tell if employees were properly
or improperly denied enrollment in a health plan because of
being overweight without a copy of the plan to see if there
is an exclusion for overweight employees and on what basis
these employees were determined to be overweight. The
Union wanted the personnel folders of the two employee to
show good job performance and good job attendance in order
to demonstrate they were healthy enough to perform well and
therefore should be covered by health plan even if over-
weight.
Respondent’s answer on October 30, 1986, to the Sep-
tember 9, 1986 request was not responsive. It forwarded
none of the material requested. On January 16, 1987, the
Union received a copy of a plan document which was de-
nominated on its face as plan 2. The Union legitimately felt
this was incomplete since there was no plan 1 sent to them.
On February 11, 1987, the arbitration hearing was held on
this grievance. The Union won the arbitration and the em-
ployees were enrolled in the facility health plan. The Union
apparently won the arbitration because the plant description
did not contain a provision excluding employees from cov-
erage for being overweight.
The Union did not receive the copies of notices denying
health benefits on one of the two employee until just a short
while before the arbitration hearing and did not receive the
other one until the arbitration hearing itself. The Union did
not receive the documentation on the scale used until the day
of the arbitration. The Union did not receive the personnel
files of the two employees until February 9, 1987, just 2
days before the arbitration hearing.
It is apparent that Respondent was so dilatory in respond-
ing to these legitimate requests for information that it vio-
lated Section 8(a)(1) and (5) of the Act. Montgomery Ward
& Co., 234 NLRB 589, 590 (1978).
B. Failure to Meet and Discuss Grievance
A grievance was filed on February 4, 1987, by delegate-
employee Doris Camilli on behalf of Wendy Frymoyer over
a requirement that laundry aides had to wear their hair back.
Frymoyer was a laundry aide. She did not handle food. It
was alleged by the Union that the rule was implemented to
discriminate against Frymoyer for filing the earlier grievance
over being refused health plan coverage. The grievance was
denied in writing by Administrator Terry Hollinger. The rule
requiring laundry aides to have their hair pulled back was
promulgated for infection control reasons.
Beginning on March 6, 1987, Union Representative Paul
Gottlieb, a full-time union employee, attempted to set up a
grievance meeting with Respondent’s human resources rep-
resentative Judy Mollinger. He sent a letter to Mollinger on
March 6, 1987, requesting a meeting but never heard back
from her. In June 1987 Gottlieb was transferred to another
position with the Union and John August, who had pre-
viously organized this facility, took over the administration
of the contract for the Union.
I note that no employee was disciplined at this facility for
failure to comply with the rule requiring that hair be pulled
back for infection control reasons.
Judy Mollinger left Respondent’s employ in the beginning
of 1988. She testified that she received Gottlieb’s March 6,
1987 letter requesting she call or write him to set up a meet-
ing concerning this grievance. In April 1987 she put on tape
a response to Gottlieb’s letter. The tape was never tran-
scribed. Her letter to Gottlieb was never sent. In June 1987
she claims Gottlieb called her on the phone and inquired
about what her response was going to be to his March 6,
1987 letter, which had been sent to her 3 months earlier.
254 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Mollinger then discovered for the first time that the tape con-
taining her response had never been transcribed and, indeed,
the tape could not even be located.
She prepared a written response, dated June 30, 1987, de-
nying the grievance and mailed it to Gottlieb. She never re-
ceived a telephone response to her letter of June 30, 1987.
Gottlieb had no recollection of speaking with Mollinger in
June 1987 on this matter and her letter of June 30, 1987,
would have reached the Union after Gottlieb had transferred
to a different job.
It seems clear that Respondent, through carelessness and
inadvertence, violated Section 8(a)(1) and (5) by failing,
rather that refusing, to meet with the Union over this griev-
ance between March 20, 1987 (when they received the Union
letter requesting to meet concerning the grievance), and June
30, 1987, when Mollinger replied to the Union’s letter. This
was not an intentional violation of the Act but a violation
nevertheless. Southern California Edison Co., 274 NLRB
1121, 1125 (1985).
C. Refusal to Rehire Patricia Chroninger
On March 9, 1987, long after the Union was in place at
this facility, Patricia Chroninger, who by the time she testi-
fied was married and known as Patricia Shaeffer, began her
employment as a nurses aide at the facility. She was in the
bargaining unit and signed a dues-checkoff authorization in
May 1987.
In June 1987 Chroninger had to have surgery for removal
of an ovarian cyst. She thought she would be off from work
for only 3 days and asked for and received 3 days off for
her operation, i.e., June 17, 18, and 19, 1987. As a relatively
new employee Chroninger was not entitled as a matter of
right to receive a medical leave of absence. Under the con-
tract between Respondent and the Union an employee had to
be an employee for 9 months to qualify for a medical leave
of absence as a matter of right. There was nothing, of course,
to prevent Respondent, as a matter of largese or compassion,
from granting a medical leave of absence to an employee
with less than 9 months of employment.
Unfortunately the surgery was more complicated than
Chroninger thought it would be and she stayed in the hos-
pital for 5 days and was told by her doctor not to return to
work for 4 to 6 weeks. She asked her sister to notify the fa-
cility of her medical situation.
On June 26, 1987, Chroninger came into the facility to
pick up her paycheck and saw DON Elaine Wally, who had
given her the 3 days off. She told Wally that she would be
out of work for another 2 to 3 weeks recuperating from sur-
gery. Wally told Chroninger that her paycheck was on station
one and that they could not hold her position open any
longer and when Chroninger was ready to return to work she
should see the administrator about a job.
On July 17, 1987, Chroninger was released by her doctor
to return to work. She called DON Wally. Wally told her the
facility couldn’t hold her position open, had replaced her, but
Wally would talk to the administrator about rehiring her.
Chroninger called Union Representative John August, a
full-time union employee and at the time of the hearing the
newly elected President of District 1199P. August was sched-
uled to attend a meeting that day with Administrator Terry
Hollinger. At the meeting Hollinger told August and
Chroninger that he would look into the matter of rehiring
Chroninger and get back to them. On July 20, 1987,
Chroninger called Wally and Wally told her that she was not
going to be rehired because she had violated two company
rules, which were in the Employee Handbook, namely,
Chroninger visited the facility while not on duty and made
personal phone calls to the facility to speak to employees
who were, at the time she phoned, not on break or lunch pe-
riod. The rules actually prohibited employees from receiving
visitors during worktime and no calls during worktime unless
it was an emergency situation or the employee had permis-
sion from a supervisor. Chroninger admits she did call the
facility on three occasions and visited the facility twice. She
called the facility on June 19, 1987, to tell her coworkers
how she was doing following surgery. The first time the
phone was busy and the next time she spoke briefly with two
employees. She visited the facility to pick up her check on
June 26, 1987, and she went to the facility during a week
in July to thank her fellow employees on the 11 p.m. to 7
a.m. shift for sending her a get-well card when she was hos-
pitalized. On that occasion she spoke with four employees.
She spoke to two of them for about 1 minute each and she
spoke with the other two, who were in a patient’s room, for
possibly as long as 5 minutes. Chroninger credibly testified
that in the past other employees visited the facility when they
were off duty for a party for example and they were not dis-
ciplined in any way.
It was stipulated that between January 1, 1986, and De-
cember 31, 1987, not one single employee was disciplined
for visiting the facility or telephoning the facility.
On July 20, 1987, when Chroninger was told that she was
not going to be rehired a want ad appeared in the local news-
paper. In the ad this very facility advertised that it wanted
to hire a nurses aide albeit for a shift different from
Chroninger’s shift.
The issue presented is whether Chroninger was refused re-
employment because of her protected concerted activities,
i.e., authorizing dues checkoff and pressing a grievance, or
whether she was refused reemployment for the reasons Re-
spondent claims. I conclude she was denied reemployment
because she engaged in protected concerted activity, i.e.,
complaining with John August’s assistance about getting her
job back in a grievance meeting with Administrator Terry
Hollinger.
DON Wally testified that she told Chroninger on June 26,
1987, when Chroninger came in to pick up her check, that
her job couldn’t be held open and she would have to see the
administrator about being rehired. Further, that she was not
rehired because of her calls into the facility and her visit to
the facility after 11 p.m. one night and her refusal to leave
right away when ordered to do by charge nurse Tricia Le
Van. It is Wally’s contention that at least since June 26,
1987, Chroninger was not an employee, yet she was refused
reemployment for violating rules binding on employees only.
In any event, the rules violated by Chroninger were so min-
iscule that they cannot be the real reason Respondent refused
to rehire her. To refuse to rehire an employee who is
recuperating from surgery because she calls her colleagues to
tell them she made it through surgery okay and and because
she comes to the facility personally to thank her fellow
workers for sending her a get-well card is so cruel and inhu-
mane that common sense dictates that that cannot be the real
reason for the refusal to rehire. Chroninger’s bringing in
255BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
John August from the Union to fight for her job has to be
the real reason. John August, of course, was the very same
union official who had organized the facility in 1986. Re-
spondent violated Section 8(a)(3) of the Act when it refused
to rehire Chroninger.
Long after the refusal to rehire Chroninger was made and
only when Respondent’s counsel was preparing for the hear-
ing did it learn that Chroninger, in applying for employment
in March 1987 had failed to disclose on her application for
employment that she had worked in 1984 at the very same
facility. In 1984 she was fired for failing to show up for
work: This occurred within 1 month of her being hired. Her
failure to disclose her prior employment with Respondent
was not a factor in Respondent’s refusal to rehire her in July
1987 since they didn’t know of it. Therefore, the only sig-
nificance to it is whether I should recommend that she be de-
nied reinstatement because of it.
I will not recommend that she be denied reinstatement
based on her failure to disclose her 1984 employment with
Respondent because the record reflects that she was a good
nurses aide between March and June 1987. Administrator
Hollinger conceded that she was a good employee during
that period. Respondent should not benefit from this belated
discovery. If Chroninger had been discharged for patient
abuse in 1984 I would deny her reinstatement but not for ab-
senteeism. Indeed DON Wally conceded that there is no hard
and fast rule prohibiting the rehire of an employee who had
previously been discharged. It depends on the circumstances
of the prior discharge. Hollinger’s self-serving testimony that
his own personal rule, which is not in writing, is not to re-
hire anyone who had been previously discharged is not per-
suasive.
Since I conclude Chroninger was refused rehire because
she concertedly complained with John August about her
plight and Respondent had an opening for a nursing aide at
the time I will order reinstatement with backpay.
An interesting aspect of this case, alluded to above, is that
Respondent takes the position that Chroninger violated rules
in an Employee Handbook which handbook applies only to
employees yet claims she was not an employee at the time
she violated the rules. This seems a bit unfair. There was no
evidence to even suggest that patients’ rights, dignity, or
treatment were in any way adversely effected or com-
promised by either Chroninger’s calls to the facility or her
visits to the facility even thought one of the visits was after
11 p.m. As regards charge nurse LeVan’s testimony I con-
clude that Chroninger, when asked to leave at 11 p.m., could
have been quicker about it but she was not in any way dis-
respectful toward LeVan. Between Chroninger and LeVan on
what happened that night I find Chroninger more believable.
X. BEVERLY MANOR OF READING II. BIRDSBORO,
PENNSYLVANIA; TRIAL ON NOVEMBER 16, 1989;
CHARGING PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199P
It is alleged that Respondent violated Section 8(a)(1) of
the Act on June 15, 1989, when it announced that it was ter-
minating an attendance bonus program in retaliation for the
Union filing a grievance and without first affording the
Union prior notice and opportunity to bargain about the ter-
mination of the program.
A contract between the facility and the Union was, by its
terms, effective from March 16, 1988, to January 31, 1990.
During a wage reopener on January 31, 1989, the parties
agreed to extend the life of the contract to January 31, 1991.
The contract contains a grievance-arbitration clause.
In October 1988, during the term of the contract and be-
cause of attendance problems, Administrator Dennis
McGowan unilaterally and without prior notice to the Union
implemented an attendance bonus program whereby employ-
ees represented by the Union would get a cash bonus if they
had perfect attendance for a 3-month period. The amount of
the bonus was $100 for full-time employees, $50 for part-
time employees, and $25 for casual employees. No charge
was filed over the implementation of this program and it is
not alleged as an unfair labor practice. The 3-month periods
were October 15 to January 14, January 15 to April 14, etc.
Employees apparently liked the bonus program but did not
like the fact that 3 months perfect attendance was necessary
to earn the bonus because an employee might miss a day
early in the 3-month timeframe due to illness, for example,
and could not earn the bonus even though they had perfect
attendance for the remainder of the 3-month period.
In response to these concerns, Administrator McGowan,
without giving prior notice to the Union and affording it an
opportunity to bargain about the matter, unilaterally modified
the attendance bonus program. Beginning in January 1989
the size of the bonus would be less but perfect attendance
for only 1 month was necessary to earn the bonus. Again no
charge was filed over this modification and it is not alleged
to be unlawful.
On June 10, 1989, Administrator McGowan posted in the
facility a document outlining Respondent’s attendance policy
and procedures. The Union filed a grievance over the posting
of the document claiming that it amounted to the promulga-
tion of new work rules in violation of the procedures for
doing so which were outlined in the collective-bargaining
agreement. This grievance was settled to the satisfaction of
the Union the following month.
Doris Camilli, shop steward, prepared the grievance men-
tioned above and handed it to Administrator McGowan on
June 14, 1989, after she had punched out of work that day.
Camilli is positive that it was after 3 p.m. on Wednesday,
June 14, 1989, that she handed the grievance to McGowan.
She is positive it was June 14, because she remembers that
since it was the end of the pay period Camilli, after giving
McGowan the grievance, collected timecards for the people
in her department and gave those timecards to Butch Wil-
liams, her supervisor in the housekeeping department.
Camilli impressed me as both a credible and accurate wit-
ness.
The following day Camilli learned from some of the her
fellow unit employees that a notice had been posted, dated
June 15, 1989, terminating the attendance bonus program ef-
fective July 12, 1989, for unit employees. The attendance
bonus program would remain in effect for all employees of
the facility, e.g., department heads, RNs, and LPNs, except
those employees represented by the Union. And, the notice
terminating the attendance bonus program, was posted the
morning after the union files the aforementioned grievance.
On June 26, 1989, a meeting was held between representa-
tives of the Union and Administrator McGowan. McGowan
refused to say why he terminated the attendance program for
the unit employees.
256 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
In an about face Respondent on July 10, 1989, informed
the Union that it would not be terminating the attendance
bonus program for unit employees on July 12, 1989, as stat-
ed in its June 15, 1989 posting. Indeed, the program was still
in effect at the time of the hearing in this matter.
When Respondent modified the program in January 1989
by reducing the amount of bonus and reducing the length of
perfect attendance necessary to earn the bonus it posted a
memo detailing the modifications which contained language
that the entire program was subject to change or termination
on 4 weeks notice. In spite of that language it would still
be a violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act if the program
were terminated because the employees engaged in the pro-
tected concerted activity of filing a grievance.
McGowan testified at the hearing before me that he want-
ed to modify the attendance bonus program for unit employ-
ees but hadn’t gotten around to doing so. He posted the no-
tice of June 15, 1989, announcing the termination of the at-
tendance bonus program for unit employees in order to put
pressure on himself to come up with a better bonus program
for these employees and he announced the termination of the
program without any regard whatsoever to the grievance
filed by the Union. His testimony is not only unworthy of
belief but is an insult to one’s intelligence.
If McGowan wanted to modify the program for these em-
ployees why didn’t he say so in his notice of June 15, 1989?
When he met with the Union on June 26, 1989, the termi-
nation of the attendance bonus program for these unit em-
ployees was brought up for discussion why didn’t McGowan
tell the Union he wanted to cone up with a better program
for them?
McGowan also claims that he did not receive the griev-
ance until after he posted the notice of June 15, 1989. On
this point I specifically credit the testimony of Camilli over
McGowan and find that Camilli gave the grievance to
McGowan on June 14, 1989, before he posted the June 15,
1989 notice of termination. It is inconceivable that Camilli,
who resigned in November 1989 as shop steward, but re-
mains an employee would not have known that the termi-
nation notice was posted prior to filing the grievance. The
grievance was signed not only by Camilli but by 21 other
unit employees. I am sure that McGowan knew even before
June 14, 1989, that a grievance was forthcoming over the
posting of the attendance policy and procedure document.
McGowan wrote on the grievance that he received it in June
15, 1989, at 3:05 p.m. which would be subsequent to the
posting of the termination notice I find that McGowan either
deliberately or inadvertently wrote down the wrong date.
I find that Respondent posted the notice terminating the at-
tendance bonus program for employees of the facility rep-
resented by the union and no others because a grievance was
filed by the Union. This is a violation of Section 8(a)(1) of
the Act, even though Respondent wisely reversed field and
did not terminate the program. Precision Graphics, 256
NLRB 381 (1981).
XI. CARPENTER CARE CENTER II, TUNKHANNOCK,
PENNSYLVANIA; TRIAL ON NOVEMBER 13 AND 14, 1989;
CHARGING PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199P
A. Failure to Bargain over the Bonus Program
This is the second case involving this facility. Since De-
cember 10, 1987, the Union has represented a unit of LPNs.
In March 1989 the parties entered into a collective-bar-
gaining agreement effective retroactively from November 3,
1988, to January 31, 1990. There is nothing in the contract
which authorizes Respondent to unilaterally implement a
bonus for LPNs who work 12-hour shifts.
Because of a need for additional professional staff, i.e.,
RNs and LPNs, Respondent, by Administrator Donna
Connery, who had replaced Administrator Andrew Durako
(see Carpenter Care Center I) sent a letter on November 29,
1988, to Adele Snyder, at the time a full-time employee of
the Union. The letter stated:
This is to inform you that due to the need of addi-
tional professional staff at Carpenter Care Center, I
have instituted a bonus program for those professional
staff who work twelve hour shifts. In addition to the
time and a half, they will receive thirty five dollars for
every twelve hour shift worked.
This is a temporary program until such time as the
vacancies may be filled. If there are questions please
contact me.
It is clear from this letter that Connery was announcing a
fait accompli and not giving the union prior notice of a pro-
posed change and the opportunity to bargain about that pro-
posed change. In point of fact the bonus program remained
in effect until January 31, 1989, when it was terminated. The
bonus program applied to RNs, who were not represented by
the union, and LPNs, who are represented by the Union. The
subject matter of bonuses for working extra hours is a matter
of mandatory collective bargaining and Respondent violated
Section 8(a)(1) and (5) of the Act by unilaterally imple-
menting the bonus program without giving prior notice and
opportunity to bargain to the Union. NLRB v. Katz, 369 U.S.
36, 742–746 (1962). The announcement of a fait accompli to
the Union is not enough.
The General Counsel was not required, in order to make
out its case, to prove that an LPN received the $35 bonus
prior to the letter to the Union announcing the implementa-
tion of the program in its November 29, 1988 letter but they
tried anyway with the testimony of Lisa Jumper. Jumper was
honest but simply mistaken when she testified that she re-
ceived a $35 bonus for working a 12-hour shift prior to the
November 29 letter. I find as a matter of fact from the docu-
mentary evidence that she worked the 12-hour shift for
which she received the bonus in January 1989 and not No-
vember 1988.
B. The 8(a)(1) Threat to Candy Smith
Candy Smith, a very credible witness, was a nurses aide
at the facility from February 1988 to August 1989. In Janu-
257BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
ary 1989—some 2 months before the parties reached agree-
ment on a collective-bargaining agreement—the Union took
a strike vote. The unit employees voted in favor of a strike
and Respondent was so informed. In point of fact the em-
ployees never did go on strike.
After receiving notice of the strike vote Administrator
Donna Connery held a meeting with employees at which she
wanted to ascertain how many employees would go on strike
and how many would work. This is not alleged as an unfair
labor practice. What is alleged as an unfair labor practice is
a threat to employee Candy Smith that if she went on strike
she would not be able to visit her ailing and elderly grand-
mother who was a resident in the facility.
Connery told the assembled employees that if they went
on strike they could not enter the facility. Smith asked if she
could visit her grandmother and was told no and when she
pressed further and asked if she could visit her grandmother
if her grandmother took a turn for the worse she was again
told by Connery that she could not see her. I credit Smith’s
testimony which is for the most part corroborated by
Connery herself.
It is clear to me that it is a threat in violation of Section
8(a)(1) of the Act for a supervisor to tell a young woman
that if she exercises her Section 7 right to strike that she may
never see her grandmother alive again. Crest Mark Packing
Co., 283 NLRB 999, 1012 (1987). Connery was legitimately
concerned about possible sabotage in the facility but should
have let Smith know that special precautions may be nec-
essary when she visited her grandmother, e.g., she would be
escorted. But to let Smith believe that even if her grand-
mother took a turn for the worse that she still could not visit
her obviously would tend to have a very inhibiting effect on
Smith’s decision to exercise her Section 7 right to strike or
not.
XII. SMITHVILLE CONVALESENT CENTER, SMITHVILLE,
MISSOURI; TRIAL ON SEPTEMBER 20 AND 21 AND
NOVEMBER 14, 1989; CHARGING PARTY IS SEIU 96
Since May 28, 1986, the Union has represented a unit of
service and maintenance employees at this facility. The par-
ties did not agree on a contract, however, until October 1987.
A. Failure to Meet and Discharge Grievances
with Union
Respondent acknowledges its duty under the law to meet
and discuss grievances with the Union even in the absence
of a collective-bargaining agreement containing a grievance-
arbitration clause.
On December 19, 1986, Union Representative Sherwin
Carroll sent two grievances to Administrator Gordon Dille at
the facility. They concerned the subject matter of the facili-
ty’s infection control policy and training given employees in
the use of restraints on residents. On January 7, 1987, Carroll
called Dille about the two grievances since he hadn’t heard
anything from the facility. Dille told Carroll he would not
meet on the grievances because there was no contract in ef-
fect.
On January 12, 1987, Carroll sent seven more grievances
to Dille at the facility. These grievances concerned reports
for certified nurses aides, unequal distribution of work load
among certified nurses aides, unsanitary conditions in vend-
ing machines, unavailability of food for night-shift employ-
ees, two unjust writeups of an employee, and cancellation of
scheduled mandatory meetings. The only response from Re-
spondent was that the grievances were merely returned by
mail to the Union without even a cover letter. The envelope
returning the grievances was received by the Union on Janu-
ary 20, 1987. Carroll called Dille who said he (Dille) would
not and could not meet with the Union concerning these
grievances because there was no contract in effect.
About 2 weeks later Respondent had a change of heart and
decided to meet with the Union and discuss these grievances.
Respondent wrote a letter, dated January 26, 1987, in which
it said it would meet with the Union. This meeting took
place thereafter on February 12, 1987. Respondent argues,
among other things, that even if there was a violation of the
Act in refusing to meet on the grievances right away it was
a de minimus violation since the parties met on February 12,
1987, to discuss all nine grievances.
In light of the extensive violations of the Act by Beverly,
I do not find this violation de minimis. Respondent violated
Section 8(a)(5) of the Act in refusing on January 7, 1987,
to meet and discuss two grievances submitted on December
19, 1986, and Respondent violated the Act in refusing on
January 20, 1987, to meet and discuss the seven grievances
filed on January 12, 1987. Indiana & Michigan Electric Co.,
284 NLRB 53 (1987). The Union filed a charge with the
NLRB on January 21, 1987, over Respondent’s refusal to
meet and discuss these grievances and it was apparently the
filing of this charge that caused Respondent to change its
mind about meeting with the Union on these grievances.
B. Right of Access
In January 1988, after the first collective-bargaining agree-
ment between this facility and the Union went into effect,
Virgil right was assigned by the Union to be the individual
to service this facility.
Article 15 of the contract contained a union visitation
clause which provided as follows:
An official representative of the Union will be per-
mitted to visit the nursing home to ascertain that the
provisions of the Agreement are being observed and to
confer with employees covered by this Agreement dur-
ing their nonworktime and in nonwork areas. Such vis-
its shall not interfere with the operation of the nursing
home or the performance of employees’ duties, and the
Union representative shall inform the administrator or
director of nursing services of his visit either prior to
or upon entering the nursing home’s premises. The
Union will furnish the name of the authorized rep-
resentative and the Employer is obligated only for ad-
mission of such authorized representative. Access to the
nursing home during all work hours for the above stat-
ed reasons shall not be unreasonably denied. The fore-
going visitation privilege does not include or allow the
holding of Union meetings on the nursing home prem-
ises, without regard to whether a Union representative
does or does not attend.
This clause was in the first contract covering this facility
which ran from November 1987 to November 1988 and is
in the subsequent contract which runs from November 1988
258 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
to November 1990. It is so-called ‘‘Accord’’ language, that
is, there was an accord or agreement reached between Bev-
erly and the SEIU which accord provided standard language
for many noneconomic clauses to include the union visitation
clause. This same language is in many contracts between the
SEIU or its locals and various Beverly facilities.
In January 1988 Virgil Wright came to the facility. He
was told by the administrator that he could only meet with
employees in a room denominated as ‘‘N West Lobby’’ on
Respondent’s diagram of the facility. This space was referred
to in the hearing as the ‘‘north west conference room’’ but
is a lobby with doors to the outside.
This space is used for nurses’ reports between shifts but
otherwise remains unused. It has a table, a chair, and a
couch. It is on a wing of patients’ rooms. The employees,
when on break or lunch, congregate in the breakroom which
is far removed from the ‘‘room’’ provided to the Union. All
the vending machines are in the break area which contains
2 long tables and 15 or 20 chairs. Smoking is allowed in the
break area.
No employees met with Wright when he used the room in
January 1988. In February 1988 the same thing happened.
On May 3, 1988, when Wright came to the facility he de-
manded that he be allowed to use the breakroom and went
in to use the breakroom for his visit. He was told he was
not allowed to use the breakroom. DON Jan Clark came into
the breakroom and told Wright he had a phone call. Wright
spoke with Rod Panyik, Respondent’s regional labor and in-
dustrial relations representative, on the phone. Panyik told
Wright that if he didn’t leave the break area Respondent
would call the police. Wright left the facility.
On May 19, 1988, Wright again went into the break area.
Respondent called the police and Wright received a sum-
mons for trespassing.
On June 2, 1988, Wright again went into the break area
and on this occasion he was again told that he had a phone
call. This time it was Abe Emery, another regional labor and
industrial relations representative, who told Wright he could
use the breakroom that day for his visit but in the future he
had to use the ‘‘room’’ provided by management.
Prior to using the breakroom Wright complained to man-
agement that the ‘‘room’’ they provided was inadequate, e.g.,
out of the way, no employees came to the room, no smoking
permitted, etc.
On June 23, 1988, Wright went to the break area again for
his visit and Respondent again called the police. Wright was
escorted from the facility.
On July 15, 1989, Wright once again went to the break
area. Respondent called the police. Wright received a second
summons.
In court on July 20, 1988, the judge dropped the cases
against Wright and urged the parties to settle the matter con-
sistent with Federal labor law.
Between July 20, 1988, and July 1989 Wright visited the
facility 12 or so times. In each and every case he stayed in
the break area and did not use the ‘‘room’’ provided by Re-
spondent. Respondent took no action against Wright during
this time.
Between mid-August 1989 and the beginning of Sep-
tember 1989, after a new administrator, Teresa Lillibridge,
arrived at the facility, Wright came to the facility on one oc-
casion and when he entered the breakroom he was told he
had to leave and go to the ‘‘room’’ provided by Respondent
or leave the facility. The Police were called for the fourth
time and escorted Wright out of the facility.
Abe Emery testified that the union visitation clause is in
effect at many facilities and he knew of only one, in Char-
lotte, North Carolina, where the union representative was al-
lowed to use the break room when he visited the facility and
that was because there was no place else to meet.
In rebuttal the General Counsel called two credible wit-
nesses, Jayne Netchler and Dale Ewart, who are both union
representatives. Hetchler testified that she was aware of four
Beverly facilities with the same union visitation clause as we
have here. Those facilities are in Minnesota and Wisconsin
and she visited those facilities on a regular basis and was al-
lowed to use the break room. Ewart testified that he visited
19 Beverly facilities in Michigan with the same union visita-
tion clause in the contract as we have here and in each and
every facility he used the breakroom for his visits.
The ‘‘room’’ provided by Respondent to the union at this
facility was clearly inadequate, e.g., it is a lobby and not a
real room, it was very small and no employee on break went
there because it was so out of the way. There was no smok-
ing permitted either. Even conceding that Respondent did re-
ceive complaints from non union employees and supervisors
that they did not like the union representative in the
breakroom when they took their breaks the fact is that the
union rep would be in the breakroom on only 1 day a month
and even then for only a couple of hours.
In short, when Respondent denied the union representative
the right to use the break area and when it called the police
to remove the union representative from the break area on
four occasions it violated Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. Gilliam
Candy Co., 282 NLRB 624 (1987); Holyoke Water Power
Co., 273 NLRB 1369 (1985).
Any argument that the dispute regarding access should be
deffered to the arbitral process under United Technologies
Corp., 268 NLRB 557 (1984), is not persuavise because be-
fore a dispute is deferred to the arbitral process there must
be a long and productive collective-bargaining relationship.
There, obviously, wasn’t such a relationship in this case.
XIII. HILLCREST CONVALESCENT CENTER, PASCO,
WASHINGTON; TRIAL ON NOVEMBER 7, 1989; CHARGING
PARTY IS TEAMSTERS 839
On January 12, 1987, the Union filed an election petition
seeking to represent a unit of service and maintenance em-
ployees. The campaign started on January 26, 1987, and
ended with the Union being rejected in a Board-conducted
election on February 27, 1987.
During this campaign Respondent conducted its normal
mini in-service training on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All em-
ployees attended either the Tuesday mini in-service or the
Thursday mini in-service. Full in-service meetings were held
much less frequently or about once a month. In-service meet-
ings are essentially training sessions. During the election
campaign three things changed about the mini in-services:
(1) they were longer, (2) the Union was discussed, and (3)
Administrator Betty Deymonaz, rather than the director of
nursing (DON) or someone else, presided over these mini in-
service meetings.
Two nurses aides, neither of whom is still at the facility,
testified about statements made by Administrator Deymonaz.
259BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
It is alleged that these remarks violated Section 8(a)(1) of the
Act. The two nurses aides are Robin Sellers and Laura
Fields. I found both of these witnesses to be very credible.
Although Fields was fired by Respondent before she testified
in front of me she testified consistent with her affidavit
which was prepared before her discharge. Insofar as Re-
spondent’s witnesses Rita Lorraine McMahon and Betty
Deymonaz are contradicted by Sellers and Fields, I credit
Sellers and Fields and not McMahon and Deymonaz.
It was uncontradicted that the work force at this facility
was made up for the most part of single women with chil-
dren.
Sellers testified that Deymonaz had told, indeed stressed,
to employees at most of the mini in-services that the employ-
ees would definitely go on strike because Beverly won’t re-
duce profits to pay better wages, that when (not if) a strike
occurred the employees would be required to go on strike,
the striking employees would be replaced, the Union would
help the employees for only a while and the employees were
asked by Deymonaz at these meetings how could they take
care of their families? This is a threat of loss of jobs if em-
ployees select a union hence a violation of Section 8(a)(1)
of the Act. Norco Products, 288 NLRB 1416 (1988).
According to Sellers, Deymonaz also said that if the Union
was selected and it becomes too troublesome for Beverly,
Beverly will simply sell the facility. This is a threat of loss
of jobs if employees select a union and hence a violation of
Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. Norco Products, supra.
According to Sellers, Deymonaz also told the employees
that once the Union gets in the employees would never be
able to get rid of it.
According to Sellers, Deymonaz repeatedly said that if
Beverly had to negotiate it wouldn’t agree to anything and
it won’t budge. This is a threat also in violation of Section
8(a)(1) of the Act. The employees were being told it would
be futile to select the Union.
According to Laura Fields, Deymonaz more than once
stated that if the Union was voted in and negotiations began
Respondent would reduce wages to minimum wage and em-
ployees would lose accrued sick leave and vacation. Even
Respondent’s witness Rita Lorraine McMahon testified that
negotiations would start at ground zero. Start at minimum
wage and no benefits. Deymonaz admitted she said negotia-
tions start at zero. This is a threat in violation of Section
8(a)(1) of the Act. Norco Products, supra. Deymonaz
stressed at the meetings attended by Fields that if the Union
got in there would be a strike and employees would be re-
placed and thereby lose their jobs. This a threat in violation
of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
During the campaign Respondent handed out literature on
a number of occasions to its employees. In virtually all the
literature introduced into evidence at the hearing those in
favor of bringing in a union were constantly referred to as
‘‘union pushers.’’ Drugs are a horrible scourge in America
today and to call those in favor of a union ‘‘union pushers’’
brings to mind the phrase ‘‘drug pushers.’’ This is not al-
leged as of violation of the Act and I’m not saying it is but
it suggests the depth of Respondent’s hatred of the Union at
least at this facility.
XIV. DUKE CONVALESCENT CENTER, LANCASTER,
PENNSYLVANIA; TRIAL ON NOVEMBER 14, 15, 16, AND
17, 1988, AND FEBRUARY 23, 1989; CHARGING PARTY
IS PSSU 668
In January and February 1987 the Union undertook a cam-
paign to see if there was interest among the employees at
this facility to join a union. Union organizer Diane Topakian
visited the private residences of approximately 24 employees.
Among those visited at home was nurses aide Lucille Lucas.
There were a few meetings at the homes of some employees.
In February 1987 the Union concluded that there was in-
sufficient interest among the employees and ceased their or-
ganizing efforts. The Union did not demand recognition and
did not file a petition for an election.
It is alleged that during this union campaign Respondent
committed a number of classic 8(a)(1) violations and violated
Section 8(a)(3) when it discharged Lucille Lucas.
A. The 8(a)(1) Violations by Administrator
Sharon Aukamp
Mary Zook, who quit Respondent’s employ prior to her
testimony, credibly testified that she attended staff meetings
in February 1987 at the facility where the Union was dis-
cussed. DON Joan Noble and ADON Glenn Thomas were
present along with a number of nursing assistants.
She heard Administrator Sharon Aukamp say that if em-
ployees were caught talking about the Union on the job they
would be terminated immediately. This violates Section
8(a)(1) of the Act.
Alvina Ogbonna, who was fired for absenteeism prior to
her testimony and who also appeared to have a bad memory,
testified that she attended a meeting along with other em-
ployees in February 1987 where Administrator Aukamp told
the assembled employees that if they were caught talking
about the Union they would be immediately terminated. In
spite of her bad memory and in spite of the fact that she was
later fired for absenteeism I found Ogbonna’s demeanor to
be that of a truthful person and she was testifying about
something that would be important to her, i.e., a threat of
loss of employment. I credit her testimony as to what
Aukamp said.
Lucille Lucas also credibly testified that at a meeting with
employees Aukamp told the employees that if they were
caught talking about the Union they would be fired on the
spot.
I do not credit the testimony of Aukamp who denied she
said what Zook, Ogbonna, and Lucas testified she said.
ADON Thomas was at the meetings where Aukamp said
that if employees were caught talking union they would be
immediately discharged. He said Aukamp never said this. I
don’t believe him.
The statements heard by Zook, Ogbonna, and Lucas were
unlawful threats in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
B. The 8(a)(1) Violations by ADON Glenn Thomas
Mary Zook credibly testified about three conversations
with ADON Glenn Thomas. A couple of weeks after the
meeting where Administrator Aukamp told the employees
not to talk union on the job Thomas told Zook don’t be
caught talking about the Union.
260 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
On a second occasion Thomas asked Zook if she knew
anything about the Union. She said no.
On a third occasion Thomas warned Zook again not to be
caught talking union and told her that a list of prounion em-
ployees was being maintained and the persons on that list
would be terminated at the end of the day.
No one was fired that day but Lucille Lucas was fired a
week or two later. These statements to Zook constitute un-
lawful threats and interrogation in violation of Section
8(a)(1) of the Act. There is no evidence that Zook and
Thomas had any relationship other than employee and boss.
Rossmore House, supra.
A week or two before she was fired Lucille Lucas spoke
with Glenn Thomas in his office. He asked what she knew
about the Union. This is unlawful interrogation in violation
of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. On another occasion Thomas
told Lucas he thought she knew more about the Union than
she was admitting. Again, Lucas’ only relationship to Thom-
as was one of employee and boss.
I do not credit ADON Thomas’ denial that he ever said
what Zook and Lucas claim he said.
C. The 8(a)(1) Violations by Charge Nurse
Roberta Huger
On a Thursday during the organizing campaign, Charge
Nurse Roberta Huger, who is admitted by Respondent to be
an agent and supervisor, approached nursing aide Lucille
Lucas on the floor. Huger told Lucas that Administrator
Aukamp had a meeting with the LPNs and wanted to know
who among the aides was prounion.
Huger asked Lucas if she was prounion. Lucas said yes
and Huger told Lucas she was also prounion. Huger in tell-
ing Lucas what Aukamp said created the impression that
Aukap and the LPNs were watching over the aides to see if
they were for or against the Union, i.e., they would be under
surveillance in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. Huger
did not testify.
D. Discharge of Lucille Lucas and 8(a)(1) Conduct By
DON Joan Noble
Lucille Lucas was visited in her home by union organizer
Diane Topakian in January 1987. Lucas attended two union
meetings.
I believe that Respondent knew that Lucas was prounion.
Charge Nurse Huger, who did not testify, had been told by
Lucas that she (Lucas) was prounion. She could have passed
the information on to Aukamp who wanted it.
ADON Glenn Thomas admits that he and Lucas discussed
the Union and she asked questions about the Union He knew
that she had spoken with a union organizer because a charge
nurse named Elana Neely told him so.
On February 17, 1987, Mary Zook did not come to work
and as a result the aides who were at work had to do Zook’s
work as well as their own work. One of the other aides was
Fern Nagle. Suffice it to say Lucas and Nagle argued loudly
about their work assignment that day. Charge nurse Glenda
Pitts told them to stop arguing. They continued. ADON
Thomas heard the commotion and came out of his office.
Residents in the facility were in a position where they could
hear the argument between Nagle and Lucas. Thomas told
Lucas that he was tired of hearing her tell Nagle what to do.
Lucas asked Nagle and another nearby aide in Thomas’ pres-
ence if she told them what to do and they both said no.
Lucas had started to cry and said to Thomas in a loud voice
that she didn’t tell the other aides what to do.
Thomas told Lucas to go home. Lucas went to see Admin-
istrator Aukamp instead. Thomas told Aukamp that Lucas
told him she didn’t have to take orders from him. Lucas de-
nied she said that. One of Respondent’s witnesses, charge
nurse Glenda Pitts, said that after Thomas told Lucas and
Nagle to stop arguing Nagle became quiet but the very upset
Lucas argued then with Thomas. She did not testify that
Lucas told Thomas she didn’t have to take orders from him.
The decision to discharge Lucas was made by ADON
Thomas and approved by Administrator Aukamp.
In January 1987 Lucas received her work performance
evaluation. She received an overall rating of ‘‘satisfactory.’’
Nagle received her work performance evaluation in Novem-
ber 1986. Her overall rating was ‘‘satisfactory’’ and ‘‘needs
improvement.’’ Nagle received a written warning for arguing
loudly in front of patients and other employees for her ac-
tions on February 17, 1987. Lucas was fired for her actions
which were described as insubordination to charge nurse
Pitts and ADON Thomas.
Lucas was the only employee disciplined at this facility for
insubordination between January 1, 1986, and December 31,
1987. Essentially, Nagle and Lucas did the same thing with
respect to the charge nurse with Lucas also arguing with the
ADON.
I am convinced that Respondent discharged Lucas rather
than give her a written warning because of her activity on
behalf of the Union. I don’t credit Aukamp’s testimony that
she didn’t know Lucas was prounion. In any event, the deci-
sion to terminate Lucas was made by ADON Thomas and
ratified or approved by Administrator Aukamp. It is clear to
me that Thomas believed Lucas to be prounion. As noted
above he knew she had spoken to the union organizer and
Lucas had asked him about the Union.
The discharge of Lucas was overkill. A written warning
similar to the one given Nagle would have been more appro-
priate. Lucas received the death penalty of the work place
because Respondent knew of her sentiment in favor of the
Union. Under the Wright Line, supra, rationale conclude that
Respondent would not have fired Lucas but for her prounion
posture.
A key piece of evidence is the testimony of Carolyn
Dixon, who testified for the General Counsel, was a reluctant
witness, and is still an employee at this facility. Dixon
credibly testified that she had a conversation with DON Joan
Noble right around the time that Lucas was fired and when
Noble was still DON at the facility. Noble, in a very low
voice, asked Dixon if employee Alvina Ogbonna was having
meetings with the Union. Dixon feigned surprise and said
that Ogbonna wouldn’t do that because she needs her job.
Noble, in a very low voice then said, according to Dixon,
‘‘Well, if she is, you talk to her, Carolyn, for God’s sakes
tell her not to do that because she will lose her job.’’ In her
affidavit which Dixon thought might be more accurate than
the testimony before me she related that Noble said, ‘‘If she
is, for God’s sake, tell her not to because she could get
fired.’’ Either version is devastating to Respondent and cir-
cumstantially not only tends to establish illegal motivation in
the discharge of Lucas but tends to prove that the unlawful
statements attributed to Aukamp, Noble, Thomas, and Huger
261BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
were made by them. Dixon testified that ADON Thomas and
charge nurse Roberta Huger were at the table when Noble
spoke to Dixon, however, there is no conclusive evidence
they heard what Noble said in a low voice to Dixon.
There is no doubt in my mind that Respondent discharged
Lucas in violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act.
While I found Lucas to be generally credible, I do not
credit her testimony that on the day she was fired she was
told it was because of the Union and that she was asked for
the names of prounion employees. With all due respect to
Lucas, I just don’t find that very believable. One factor used
in assessing credibility is the reasonableness or
unreasonableness of the testimony. I just don’t find that testi-
mony reasonable. A factfinder can, of course, chose to credit
part of a witness’ testimony and not to credit other parts of
that same witness’ testimony.
XV. YORK TERRACE NURSING CENTER, POTTSVILLE,
PENNSYLVANIA; TRIAL ON NOVEMBER 16 AND 17, 1988;
CHARGING PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199P
At all times material, the Union represented a unit of serv-
ice and maintenance employees at this facility. A collective-
bargaining agreement was in effect between the parties
which ran by its terms from October 1, 1985, to January 31,
1988. It contained a grievance and arbitration clause.
William Yanonis was the union representative responsible
for administering the contract at this facility.
He heard from some employees in December 1986 that
their work schedules had changed during the Thanksgiving
holiday period. In addition, an employee named Nancy
Frisch had been disciplined for alleged abuse of sick leave.
Grievances were filed over both matters.
On December 22, 1986, Yanonis met with Administrator
Arlene Postupak at the facility to discuss these grievances.
One of the grievances alleged that when Nancy Frisch was
discharged she did not have a union representative with her.
In writing Yanonis requested a copy of the work schedule
for December 1, 1986. He did this because it was alleged by
Respondent that Union Representative Lauri Rossi was
present when Frisch was disciplined on December 1, 1986.
The Union did not believe Rossi was even working that day.
With respect to the grievance over changing holiday
schedules Yanonis requested in writing copies of work
schedules for all departments covering all holidays enumer-
ated in Section 19.1 of the contract for the years 1984, 1985,
and 1986. Section 19.1 of the contract enumerates six holi-
days to include Thanksgiving Day. Yanonis requested this in-
formation because the employees were contending that the
scheduling for Thanksgiving 1986 was done differently from
the way it had been done in the past and Respondent was
maintaining there had been no change in the practice of holi-
day scheduling. Administrator Postupak was claiming that
they did the Thanksgiving 1986 holiday scheduling the same
way they always did it.
Postupak said upon receiving the union request that she
would check with Corporate and get back to him. She also
said that the holiday schedules for 1984, 1985, and 1986
were available.
On December 31, 1986, at another meeting at the facility
Postupak handed Yanonis a written reply to his request for
information. It stated simply ‘‘Schedules are management
property, and will not be furnished. Art 4, 6, 34.’’ Article
4 is the management-rights clause, article 6 is the dues-
checkoff clause, and article 34 is the so-called zipper clause.
Nothing in any of the three clauses specifically addresses the
issue of releasing schedules to the Union.
The Union filed charges with the NLRB. Thereafter, on
February 19, 1987, Philip E. Berlin, counsel for Respondent,
sent Yanonis a letter claiming the request for information
was too burdensome and unreasonable and offering to settle
the information request by asking them to let him know what
information the Union would be willing to accept in satisfac-
tion of the request. In late March 1987—after Respondent
and the Union had communicated with one another—Re-
spondent turned over the scheduling information requested
for calendar 1986 but not the scheduling information for
1985 and 1984. The grievance over holiday scheduling was
eventually settled and withdrawn from arbitration.
The question is was the information request by the Union
on December 22, 1986, for necessary and relevant informa-
tion which the Union would need in order to carry out its
duty of fair representation toward the employees it rep-
resented. The answer is obviously yes. When Respondent on
December 31, 1986, in writing and by its Administrator
Postupak categorically refused to turn over any of the re-
quested information it violated Section 8(a)(5) of the Act.
Postupak candidly admitted that she was inexperienced in
labor relations matters and it showed. Possibly the union re-
quest was overly broad but most of the information requested
was clearly relevant and necessary. Respondent’s flatout re-
fusal to turn over anything is what gets Respondent in dif-
ficulty.
Once Attorney Berlin got involved the matter was handled
in an appropriate fashion. Since Berlin got involved in Feb-
ruary 1987 the question is raised as to whether Respondent’s
categorical refusal to turn over any of the information re-
quested in December is de minimis since Berlin began work-
ing out a compromise within 2 months of Postupak’s refusal.
I think in light of the numerous unfair labor practices com-
mitted by Respondent that this was not de minimis. If this
was an isolated event then maybe but it isn’t isolated by a
long stretch.
Accordingly, I find that Respondent, by Administrator
Postupak, in refusing to turn over any of the information re-
quested or even offering to discuss a compromise violated
Section 8(a)(5) of the Act since the information sought was
necessary and relevant to the Union in carrying out its obli-
gations to fairly represent the unit employees in their griev-
ances. Montgomery Ward & Co., 234 NLRB 588 (1978).
XVI. STROUD MANOR, EAST STROUDSBURG,
PENNSYLVANIA; TRIAL ON FEBRUARY 21 AND 23, 1989;
CHARGING PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199P
At all times material, the Union represented a unit of serv-
ice and maintenance employees at this facility. The parties
had agreed to a collective-bargaining agreement effective by
its terms from October 1, 1985, to September 30, 1987. The
agreement contained a grievance-arbitration clause.
In June 1986 Judy Klinger, who had been the night cook
in the dietary department, was promoted to a supervisory po-
sition, i.e., assistant dietary services supervisor. According to
dietary aide and union delegate Nancy Norsworthy she con-
tinued to do unit work as a cook.
262 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Norsworthy and a number of other unit employees filed a
grievance on October 6, 1986, objecting to a supervisor,
Klinger, doing unit work.
The grievance was denied at step 1 by Dietary Manager
Sue Hughes. The grievance was pursued by the Union to
step 2, i.e., taken up with the administrator at the facility,
Mary Lou Shannon, who denied the grievance on November
12, 1986.
On December 29, 1986, the Union formally made a de-
mand for arbitration under the contract. By January 8, 1987,
the Union had notified Industrial Relations Representative
Judy Mollinger of Norsworthy’s grievance being pursued be-
yond step 2 and had also sent a copy of the grievance to
Mollinger. Mollinger claims she didn’t get a copy of the
grievance. Mollinger impressed me as being unusually dis-
organized and I can readily believe that she believes she
never got the grievance but not through any fault of the
Union. Mollinger should have called the facility and asked
them to send her a copy of the grievance.
In late January 1987 Union Delegate Norsworthy asked
Administrator Shannon for work schedules in connection
with the grievance. Shannon told her to write to Beverly’s
Industrial Relations Representative Judy Mollinger in Rock-
ville, Maryland, and gave Norsworthy Mollinger’s address.
On January 20, 1987, Norsworthy with Union Vice President
Yanonis’ approval wrote to Mollinger and asked for ‘‘a copy
of all work schedules six months prior to Judy Mollinger’s
appointment to her new position, and continuing until our
case comes before arbitration.’’
On February 17, 1987, Mollinger wrote to Norsworthy that
the request for information will only be honored if it comes
from an official union advocate of record and will only be
sent to that person.
The information sought was not turned over until the very
day of the arbitration hearing, i.e., May 6, 1987, close to 4
months after the information was first requested in writing
and only after the Union had gotten a subpoena from the ar-
bitrator seeking production of that information on May 6,
1987. Mollinger, who as noted above impressed me as being
disorganized, claims that some but not all the information
was turned over before the arbitration hearing date of May
6, 1987. I don’t credit her testimony on this point.
At the arbitration hearing on May 6, 1987, the Union and
Respondent submitted stipulated facts to the arbitrator and he
issued a mediated award.
In order to properly represent employees when the issue
is whether a supervisor has improperly done unit work to the
detriment of unit employees it is necessary and relevant for
the Union to have the schedules they requested in January
1987. Respondent’s delay in turning this information over to
the Union until the very day of the arbitration hearing itself
and after Respondent had received a subpoena violates Sec-
tion 8(a)(5) of the Act. Montgomery Ward & Co., supra.
XVII. MEYERSDALE MANOR, MEYERSDALE,
PENNSYLVANIA; TRIAL ON DECEMBER 5, 6, 7, 8, AND 9,
1988; CHARGING PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199P
A. Overview
The Union began an organizing campaign at this facility
in December 1986 although Respondent believed the Union
was organizing as far back as September 1986. An election
was held among a unit of service and maintenance employ-
ees on February 6, 1987, which the Union won. The Union
was certified by the Board late in February 1987. Negotia-
tions for a contract began shortly thereafter. A contract was
eventually agreed on in August 1987 and ran by its terms
from August 12, 1987, to January 15, 1989.
It is alleged that even prior to the formal beginning of the
union organizing campaign Respondent fired LPN Suzanne
La Framboise because it believed she was engaging in
prounion activity. It is also alleged that several supervisors
and agents of Respondent violated Section 8(a)(1) of the Act
when they either interrogated or threatened employees or cre-
ated the impression among employees their union activity
was under surveillance. Subsequent to the election it is al-
leged that Respondent unlawfully disciplined dietary depart-
ment employee Patricia Spangler and that Respondent bar-
gained in bad faith and also made unilateral changes in terms
and conditions of employment without giving prior notice
and opportunity to bargain to the Union.
B. Discharge of LPN Suzanne La Framboise
In 1985 certain employees of this facility, to include Su-
zanne La Framboise, walked off the job to protest working
conditions. Administrator Gerald Brown was aware of this at
the time La Framboise was fired on October 15, 1986.
In September 1986, 17 employees at Respondent’s Fayette
Health Center in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, were fired (see
sec. II, above, which addresses this and other allegations of
unfair labor practices at Fayette Health Care Center).
Uniontown is not very far from Meyersdale and employees
at this facility were sent to Fayette to fill in for the dis-
charged employees. This facility’s administrator, Gerald
Brown, came to the belief that because the Union was orga-
nizing at Fayette that it would attempt also to organize at this
facility. Indeed certain employees, according to Brown, told
him this was the case.
Prior to La Framboise’s discharge Brown admits and it is
corroborated by DON Cheryl Lohr that he told La Framboise
that he believed she was trying to get the Union in at the
facility and if she didn’t stop she would be fired. He admits
he said this to her and thought he legally could because he
thought that La Framboise as an LPN was part of manage-
ment. He was wrong.
La Framboise worked the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift. She re-
ceived a written warning in March 1986, which was long be-
fore either the beginning of the union organizing campaign
or even any belief by Respondent that a union organizing
campaign might be underway. The written warning was for
failing to call a resident’s doctor when there was a change
in the resident’s condition. As it turned out the resident had
suffered a stroke. La Framboise back in November 1985 had
received an oral warning for failing to attend a mandatory
staff meeting. La Framboise has no defense to the November
1985 oral warning but claims with respect to the March 1986
written warning that she did call a doctor to report the resi-
dent’s change in condition but she claims she called the
wrong doctor. Respondent claims she never called any doc-
tor. Regardless of which version is correct La Framboise was
in the wrong. Suffice it to say these two disciplines are out-
side the 10(b) period.
In early October 1986 there was another incident involving
a second resident. This resident’s initials are EF. In order to
263BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
protect the privacy of patients or residents at the various fa-
cilities they were for the most part referred to in this litiga-
tion by their initials and not by name.
Resident EF complained during the night of extreme pain
on her right side. She also had difficulty catching her breath,
and coughed up bloody mucous.
The protocol at the facility was for the LPN to call the
doctor on call or the registered nurse (RN) on call if there
was a change in the condition of a resident. The highest
rated personnel on duty during the midnight shift were the
LPNs. EF was La Framboise’s patient. Instead of calling the
doctor or RN on call to report the change in condition La
Framboise, having determined that EF’s vital signs were
okay and that Tylenol seemed to help EF’s breathing, con-
sulted with the two other LPNs on duty, i.e., Beverly Mur-
phy and James Miller. They agreed with La Framboise that
the situation was not serious enough to warrant calling either
the doctor or RN on call.
When they day crew arrived it was determined rather
quickly that patient EF should be seen by a doctor and EF
was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. She was re-
turned to the facility later that day. No serious harm had
come to EF as a result of the delay in her being seen by a
doctor.
On October 7, 1987, La Framboise received a written
warning for this incident from DON Cheryl Lohr. La
Framboise then went on a previously scheduled vacation for
several days. When she returned on October 15, 1987, she
was told she was being discharged because of this incident
and her prior record. Administrator Gerald Brown concurred
in the decision to discharge her but the discharge decision
was made by Regional Manager Joel Kamp, who did not tes-
tify. Kamp made the decision based on information supplied
by Administrator Brown and DON Lohr.
It is my conclusion that La Framboise was discharged not
because of her handling of the EF situation which looks bad
but rather because of Respondent’s belief that she was en-
gaging in union activity. Brown had warned her that she
would be fired if she didn’t stop it. I base this conclusion,
in part, on Respondent’s antiunion animus as reflected in the
numerous 8(a)(1) violations committed at this facility and
also based on the fact that the other two LPNs on duty with
La Framboise that night and with whom she consulted and
who agreed with her that it was not necessary to call the
doctor or RN on call were not disciplined in any way what-
soever. Murphy and Miller did not even receive an oral
warning for essentially the exact same failure to act as that
of La Framboise. The fact that EF was La Framboise’s pa-
tient and not their patient doesn’t explain the wide disparity
in treatment between discharge (the capital punishment of the
work place) and no discipline at all. Given Respondent’s
antiunion animus, its threat to discharge La Framboise, and
its disparate treatment of La Framboise as compared to Mur-
phy and Miller I am forced to conclude under the Wright
Line, supra, analysis that La Framboise’s discharge was in
violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act.
C. The 8(a)(1) Conduct Administrator Gerald Brown
When employees for this facility had gone in September
1986 to work as replacement workers for the ‘‘Fayette 17’’
who had been fired union organizer Tom De Bruin had spo-
ken with a number of them.
Administrator Brown became aware of this and anticipated
De Bruin would try to organize the employees at his facility.
On September 23, 1986, a meeting of 3 to 11 p.m. shift
employees was held. Nursing Aide Sylvia Wagner attended
and credibly testified to what was said. Brown ran the meet-
ing. He said, among other things, that a union comes in over
his dead body, the facility will be closed before any union
is allowed in and then no one will have a job. These are
threats in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
A few days later at another meeting in a third floor treat-
ment room conducted by Administrator Brown and DON
Lohr, Brown unlawfully interrogated employees, to include
Sylvia Wagner, when he asked the employees how they felt
about the Union. Brown went on to say if the Union got in
employees would lose benefits. This interrogation and threat
violated Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
On December 22, 1987, Brown created an impression of
surveillance when he asked Sylvia Wagner, in the presence
of nurses aide Lisa Durst, how the party had been at her
house. Wagner asked what party are you talking about and
Brown said don’t be so innocent. In point of fact Wagner
had recently held a union meeting at her house with several
employees and union organizer Tom De Bruin in attendance.
There hadn’t been any ‘‘party.’’ Brown’s statements created
the impression of surveillance of employees’ union activity
by Respondent and violates Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
Suzanne La Framboise credibly testified that at a meeting
with employees on September 25, 1986, at about 5:30 a.m.
Brown told employees he heard someone from La
Framboise’s shift was trying to bring in a union and he went
on to say that Beverly sells homes before they let a union
into them. This is an unlawful threat. Employee Lisa Durst
credibly testified that when Brown said this he was looking
directly at La Framboise. Brown and DON Lohr met pri-
vately with La Framboise after this meeting and Brown told
La Framboise that if she continued to organize she would be
fired. This is an unlawful threat. Brown admitted he made
this threat.
On September 26, 1986, Brown told La Framboise that he
knew that employees had met at Sheets, a local convenience
store, with the union organizer. In doing so Brown violated
Section 8(a)(1) of the Act by creating the impression among
employees that their union activity was under surveillance.
On September 27, 1987, according to the credited testi-
mony of La Framboise and Sheets’ employee Sharon Smith
and basically admitted by Administrator Brown, Brown
called Sheets’ employee Smith and asked her if any of the
employees of the facility were at Sheets or had been at
Sheets talking to the union organizer. This is unlawful sur-
veillance of employees’ union activity and a violation of Sec-
tion 8(a)(1) of the Act. Smith told several employees when
they came into Sheets that their boss had called checking up
on them.
Lisa Durst, a 7 a.m.–3 p.m. shift nurses aide, credibly tes-
tified that at a meeting with employees Brown said that he’d
shut the facility down before he’d let a union in.
Employee Sherry Brant also heard Brown say the same
thing and further that the Union would get in over his dead
body. Employee Delores Hostetler also remembers Brown
saying that the Union would get in only over his dead body.
Brown approached Hostetler after the meeting where he
said the Union would get in only over his dead body and un-
264 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
lawfully interrogated her in a one-on-one situation when he
asked her if she knew or had heard anything about the
Union.
Brown admits he had at least one staff meeting with em-
ployees where the Union was discussed. He denies, however,
that he ever said the Union would get in only over his dead
body, that the facility would close before it would go union,
or that Beverly sells homes before they let in a union. He
also denies that he even asked employees how they felt about
the Union. He also denied asking Wagner about a party at
her house and telling her not to look so innocent.
I heard and observed the General Counsel’s witnesses and
I heard and observed Brown. I credit the General Counsel’s
witnesses over Brown. I simply do not believe his denials.
The General Counsel’s witnesses impressed me as honest
people.
D. The 8(a)(1) conduct of DON Cheryl Lohr
On December 22, 1986, when employees handbilled at Re-
spondent’s facility DON Cheryl Lohr on seeing off-duty em-
ployee Brenda Martz giving a handbill to one of the other
employees coming off work yelled at Martz and told her she
was not on worktime, that she was trespassing and she
should get off the facility’s property. The handbill itself was
a copy of the charge filed by the Union with the NLRB pro-
testing the discharge of Suzanne La Framboise. A piece of
paper was affixed to the door of the employees’ entrance to
the facility informing employees that they were not to be on
facility property more than a half hour before their shift start-
ed or more than a half hour after their shift ended. Manage-
ment called the police. When the police arrived Adminis-
trator Brown demanded that the handbillers be arrested for
trespassing. No one was arrested. Balancing the Section 7
rights of employees to handbill during an organizing cam-
paign against the property rights of Respondent it is clear
that the latter right yields. It was a violation of Section
8(a)(1) of the Act for DON Lohr to prohibit peaceful
handbilling on December 22, 1986, and for Administrator
Brown to demand of the police that they arrest the
handbillers. Jean Country, 291 NLRB 11 (1988). There is no
evidence, I note, that anyone was impeded in their efforts to
get in or out of the facility by the presence of the
handbillers.
It is alleged that a day or so earlier employees were told
that a 7-minute rule was going to be put into effect, i.e., an
employee can’t be on facility property more than 7 minutes
before or 7 minutes after shift. This rule was never imple-
mented. Instead the 30-minute or half-hour rule was put into
effect.
On February 6, 1987, the election was held. The Union
won. Nurses aide Lisa Durst credibly testified that on Janu-
ary 16, 1987, only a couple of weeks before the election
DON Cheryl Lohr and she had a conversation. Lohr unlaw-
fully interrogated Durst in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the
Act by asking her why did she need a Union and what could
a Union do for her.
E. The 8(a)(1) Conduct by Human Resources
Representative Hugh Gregg
Sylvia Wagner credibly testified that Human Resources
Representative Hugh Gregg at a meeting in October 1986
surveyed the employees about conditions at the facility and
told the employees he was doing the employee survey earlier
than normal because of the presence of the Union. Gregg did
not testify. This is not a violation of the Act. There were no
threats and it was only arguably an unlawful solicitation of
grievances not because the survey was taken (which was nor-
mal operating procedure) but because it was taken somewhat
earlier. I do not consider this to be an unfair labor practice.
According to employee Delores Hostetler Gregg claimed
that all the Union does is take your money. This is not a
threat but rather ‘‘free speech’’ within the meaning of Sec-
tion 8(c) of the Act.
F. Written Warning to Patricia Spangler
Patricia Spangler, a dietary department employee and a
member of the union negotiating team, attended a negotiating
session on the night of August 5, 1987, and the early morn-
ing hours of August 6, 1987. The negotiations involved this
facility and two other Beverly facilities. Agreement on con-
tracts was reached at approximately 5 a.m. after an all night
negotiating session that began at 6 p.m. the night before. The
Federal mediator present at the session told the employees in
the early morning hours that if the employees found a re-
placement they could have the next day off.
Spangler credibly testified and was corroborated by Sylvia
Wagner that she (Spangler) tried to call her supervisor,
Debbie Savage, at home two times to tell her she was too
tired and would not be coming to work that day at 11 a.m.
as scheduled. There was no answer at the number Spangler
called.
At 6 or 6:15 a.m. Spangler started the 1-1/2-hour drive
back to the Meyersdale area from the site of the negotiations.
Spangler drove and her coworkers Sylvia Wagner and Lisa
Durst were passengers.
Under Respondent’s policy if unable to report to work an
employee had to call in at least 2 hours before his or her
shift begins so the facility can locate a replacement otherwise
the employee is in violation of the 2-hour call-in rule. It was
also policy, at least in the dietary department of this facility,
that an employee had to have permission from Supervisor
Savage to switch with another employee, i.e., an employee
couldn’t take a fellow employee’s shift without Savage’s
okay.
After dropping off her fellow employees after the drive
back to the Meyersdale area in a heavy fog Spangler was too
tired and wiped out to go to work. She tried calling Savage
again around 8:20 a.m. without success. She then called the
dietary department and told a coworker that she would not
be in to work that day. Before 9 a.m. she called the facility
again and this time got to speak to Savage. She told Savage
the same thing. Savage told Spangler it would be put down
as an absence but didn’t specify excused or unexcused. In its
position letter to the Board dated October 27, 1987, Re-
spondent claims Spangler was disciplined because she didn’t
call in 2 hours or more before the start of her shift. At the
hearing Respondent claims Spangler was disciplined because
she didn’t show up for work and didn’t find a replacement.
The next day when Spangler reported to work Savage told
her that her day of absence was going to be a day of unex-
cused absence rather than an excused absence and she was
given a written reprimand.
265BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
Three months earlier Spangler had found her own replace-
ment when she had missed work and was told never to get
her own replacement without Savage’s prior okay.
Suffice it to say Respondent gave a written warning to
Spangler because of her union activity. While the mediator
told the employees that they could have the day off if they
got a replacement Spangler was from a department where she
was instructed not to get her own replacement without Sav-
age’s approval. In addition, Spangler was too tired to work.
Having been up all night and being wiped out due to the
drive home in the fog Spangler was taking off because she
was physically unable to work. In the ordinary course of em-
ployment an employee at the facility, if physically unable to
work, could call in sick at least 2 hours before start of the
shift. Spangler did this. She tried three times to get hold of
Savage without success, called her department and said she
wouldn’t be in and even reached Savage before 9 a.m. to tell
her she would not be in to work at 11 a.m. On the phone
just before 9 a.m. Savage told Spangler she would not get
paid for this absence and this was understood by Spangler
because employees did not get paid for excused or unexcused
absences. When Respondent later denominated her absence
as unexcused and gave her a written reprimand it is obvious
it was done because of Spangler’s union activity in violation
of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act. Savage claims she didn’t know
of Spangler’s union activity but admits that Spangler told her
when she called that she had been up all night at the nego-
tiating session. Savage claims she told Spangler on the phone
that the absence would be unexcused if she couldn’t find a
replacement but I don’t believe her I credit Spangler’s ver-
sion of the conversation. Spangler impressed me as an honest
person. Spangler would have been able to go to work but for
her protective concerted activity of attending an all night ne-
gotiating session as part of the union bargaining team.
Spangler no longer works for Respondent but the rep-
rimand should be removed from her file and not held against
her if she applies in the future for employment at any Bev-
erly facility.
G. Unilateral Changes
In late July 1987 after the Union was certified as collec-
tive-bargaining representative for the service and mainte-
nance employees but before the parties had agreed to a con-
tract Respondent unilaterally and without giving prior notice
to the Union implemented a change in the hours worked in
the laundry and dietary departments. The charge being that
Respondent implemented ‘‘swing shifts.’’ This was in late
July 1987. Although the parties were negotiating for a first
contract Respondent merely implemented this ‘‘swing shift’’
change in hours for the two departments mentioned. The par-
ties thereafter reached agreement on a contract. The remedy
for this unilateral change should be to make whole any em-
ployees adversely affected by the change. This was a clear-
cut violation of Section 8(a)(5) of the Act to which Respond-
ent presented no defense. W. A. Kruger Co., 299 NLRB 914
(1990).
H. Failure to Bargain in Good Faith
The Union was certified in February 1987 and the Union’s
chief negotiator, Ashley Adams, communicated with Re-
spondent’s chief negotiator Judy Mollinger. They agreed to
meet in mid-March to negotiate contracts for three of Re-
spondent’s facilities to include this facility. The March meet-
ings had to be canceled due to a serious automobile accident
that Mollinger had in the New England area. See sections 1
and 2, Beverly Manor of Monroeville and Fayette Health
Care Center, supra.
The parties did meet once in April 1987, twice in June
1987, twice in July 1987, and once in August 1987. By July
they knew they had a contract.
Possibly Respondent should have been in a position to re-
place Mollinger with another negotiator but they did not.
Under all the circumstance, however, it is my conclusion as
noted above in the sections of this decision discussing Bev-
erly Manor of Monroeville and Fayette Health Care Center
that the delay was not so egregious that it amounted to bad-
faith bargaining in violation of Section 8(a)(5) of the Act.
XVIII. RICHLAND MANOR, JOHNSTON, PENNSYLVANIA;
TRIAL ON DECEMBER 12, 13, AND 14, 1988; CHARGING
PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199P
A. Overview
An election petition was filed for a unit of service and
maintenance employees on February 20, 1987. An election
was held on April 3, 1987, and the Union won. Respondent
filed objections. The election was set aside because of van-
dalism, which was not attributed to either side, by the Board
and a new election was ordered on August 13, 1987. A sec-
ond election was held on September 11, 1987. The Union
lost the election. The Union filed objections, which they later
withdrew. A third election was held on November 18, 1988.
The Union won the election and was certified by the Board
as exclusive representative for collective-bargaining purposes
of a unit of service and maintenance employees.
It is alleged that during the campaign periods preceding
the first election on April 3, 1987, and the second election
on September 11, 1987, that various 8(a)(1) violations were
committed by supervisory personnel of the facility or higher
headquarters and that an employee, Deborah Altemus, was
issued a less favorable performance evaluation and later fired
because of her prounion activities.
B. The 8(a)(1) Violations by Administrator
Kevin Williams
On March 12, 1987, Administrator Kevin Williams spoke
with employee Anne Clifford, who worked in the dietary de-
partment, and unlawfully interrogated her about a petition
which was signed by her and other employees and distributed
which petition stated that the employees wanted to have a
fair election. Williams queried Clifford over the phone as to
what is a fair election. This is unlawful interrogation in vio-
lation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. Rossmore House, supra.
Williams at a meeting with employees in February 1987
announced that if an employee went to a mandatory meeting
and it went past his or her normal quitting time he or she
was to put in for overtime. This was a change from the way
things were done before and was a calculated attempt to get
employees to vote against the Union hence an unlawful
promise in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
Williams announced prior to the April 3, 1987 election
(the first election) that since the Union could contact employ-
ees at home, etc., that prounion literature could no longer be
266 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
posted on the bulletin board in the break area. All sorts of
other items were permitted to be posted to include antiunion
literature posted by the Respondent. This disparate and dis-
criminatory rule violates Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
In September 1987 just prior to the second election, Wil-
liams announced that if employees worked through all or part
of their lunchbreak, i.e., had a ‘‘short lunch,’’ they would get
paid. This change from past practice was announced just
days before the second election and was an unlawful inter-
ference since it was the giving of a benefit at a time cal-
culated to influence the employees to vote the way manage-
ment wanted them to vote.
Arnold Long, who was fired for failing to disclose that he
had been previously fired from another nursing home for pa-
tient abuse, testified that he spied on the union activities of
his fellow employees at the request of Williams and Regional
Manager George Dayoobe. I found Long to be incredible. I
give no weight whatsoever to his testimony. He didn’t sound
credible and was destroyed on cross-examination.
C. Section 8(a)(1) Violations by Regional Manager in
Training George Dayoobe and Human Resources
Representative Ray Martinize
Just days before the second election on September 11,
1987, Regional Manager in Training George Dayoobe and
Human Resources Representative Ray Martinize, who were
present at the facility to assist the administrator in Respond-
ent’s campaign against the Union, conducted two meetings
with employees. At both meetings Dayoobe told employees
they would be getting uniforms and an uniform allowance.
This promise of a benefit on the eve of the election violates
Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
D. The 8(a)(1) Violations by Dietary Manager
Connie Clement
In mid-February 1987, Dietary Manager Connie Clement
told dietary department employees that she knew they had all
signed union authorization cards and were 100 percent for
the Union. This created an impression of surveillance be-
cause indeed just a few days before all dietary employees
had gone to a union meeting at a local Quality Inn and had
signed union authorization cards. Creating the impression of
surveillance violates Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
Because of a state requirement the rules at the facility
called for the doors to the kitchen, where the dietary employ-
ees worked, to be closed and access limited to dietary em-
ployees and management. In point of fact the doors were
kept open and nursing aides and others routinely entered the
kitchen to get coffee for residents, etc. Right after announc-
ing that she knew that 100 percent of the dietary aides had
signed authorization cards Clement ordered that the doors to
the kitchen be kept closed. This was prior to the first election
and was obviously done, when past practice and timing are
considered, in order to interfere with dietary employees tell-
ing other employees, such as nurses aides, to vote for the
Union. It was a violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. If
there was any doubt about it I note that shortly after the elec-
tion the doors to the kitchen were permitted to remain open
because the cooks were complaining about the terrible heat
in the kitchen. There was no state requirement calling for ac-
cess to the kitchen to be limited to dietary employees and
management.
Prior to ordering the doors closed, Clement had told die-
tary aides Anne Clifford and Delores Thomas that they
would lose benefits if the Union got in the facility.
E. The 8(a)(1) Conduct by DON Nancy Reed
Nurses aide Sharon Leonard ‘‘marched on the boss’’ with
fellow employees, i.e., she went to the facility with other em-
ployees, met with management, and demanded that the
Union be recognized. In addition Leonard was quoted in a
local newspaper and appeared on television critical of the fa-
cility, e.g., she stated there was not enough staff and that em-
ployees needed a union.
Sometime, thereafter, on March 26, 1987, Leonard was
wearing colored socks and had her pants legs rolled up as
she rinsed off with a hose pads soiled by incontinent resi-
dents of the facility. She was doing this in an area where
neither residents nor the families of residents could observe
her. DON Reed saw Leonard and called her to her office
where she threatened to give Leonard a written reprimand for
violation of the facility dress code. The dress code requires
white socks and that pants legs be rolled down but Leonard’s
pants legs were rolled up for a good and obvious reason (to
avoid getting them wet) and Leonard had worn colored socks
in the past, been observed doing so by management and
nothing was even said. Leonard was threatened with dis-
cipline shortly before the election because of her protected
concerted activity in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
She did not, however, ever receive written discipline for this
incident.
In a one-on-one conversation between nurses aide Terri
Cekada in mid-February 1987, prior to the first election,
DON Reed told Cekada that if the Union got in she might
not continue to get weekends and personal days off. Further,
she told Cekada that Beverly really doesn’t care about little
homes like their facility and might close the facility if it
went union. She showed Cekada a newspaper article which
reported that Beverly had recently sold 80 homes. These are
all threats in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
F. Alleged 8(a)(1) Violation by Human Resources
Representative William Corville
On February 27, 1987, at a meeting where employees ex-
pressed concern about staffing at the facility Human Re-
sources Representative William Corville said that he could
remedy staffing problems and not the Union. I do not con-
sider this statement to amount to a violation of Section
8(a)(1) of the Act.
G. The 8(a)(1) Violation by Housekeeping Supervisor
Joe Lee
Shortly before the second election in September 1987
Housekeeping Supervisor Joe Lee had a conversation with
housekeeping aide Roberta Vasbinder. Lee told Vasbinder
that he had been talking with Regional Manager in Training
George Dayoobe and Dayoobe had told him that the employ-
ees should get a pay raise. Vasvinder was credible and Lee
never testified. This was violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the
Act since it was an illegal promise of a benefit.
267BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
H. Less Favorable Performance Evaluation and
Discharge of Deborah Altemus
Deborah Altemus was employed as a dietary aide and later
as a relief cook at this facility from June 10, 1985, to Sep-
tember 17, 1987, when she was fired shortly after the second
election. She was brought back to work on October 17, 1987,
and resigned on January 1, 1988. The allegations involving
Altemus concern her first period of employment. She was, of
course, in the dietary department which was 100 percent
prounion according to DON Nancy Reed and Dietary Man-
ager Connie Clement.
Her first performance evaluation covered the period June
to September 1985, a 90-day period because she was a new
employee. Her overall rating was ‘‘satisfactory.’’ Her second
performance evaluation covered the period September 1985
to June 1986 and she was rated ‘‘very good.’’ The third per-
formance evaluation covered the period June 1986 to June
1987, part of which period, i.e., February 1987 to June 1987
covered the first campaign and election which the Union
won. Her evaluation was ‘‘needs improvement.’’ Altemus
credibly testified she doesn’t know where her overall per-
formance went down. She was not told that because of a
‘‘needs improvement’’ rating she would be reevaluated in 90
days. On September 17, 1987, she received a performance
evaluation covering the June to September 1987 period. Once
again the rating was ‘‘needs improvement’’ and she was
fired.
Respondent tries to justify the discharge on grounds of ab-
senteeism and poor work. Altemus’ worst absenteeism was
12 days during a period she was rated ‘‘very good.’’ She
was absent 13 days during the period she was rated but she
had a doctor’s excuse for each and every absence. Prior to
her first ‘‘needs improvement’’ rating she was never told that
her overall performance was deteriorating or her job at jeop-
ardy.
Altemus was in the department that was believed by Re-
spondent’s management to be 100 percent prounion. Altemus
not only signed an authorization card but handbilled the fa-
cility and was observed by Administrator Williams doing so.
She also signed 2 petitions along with 25 or so other em-
ployees which petitions were very prounion and which peti-
tions were given to Respondent’s management. Anne
Clifford, a cook in the dietary department, even overheard
Dietary Manager Connie Clement referred to Altemus as a
good worker in August 1987.
Suffice it to say Altemus’ lower performance evaluation
and her discharge were done in violation of Section 8(a)(3)
of the Act because of Altemus’ protected concerted activity
on behalf of the Union. Altemus’ only prior discipline was
an oral warning for not wrapping some condiments after a
meal in June 1987. Respondent returned Altemus to work on
October 17, 1987, and although it intended to pay her back-
pay it never did. This can be remedied in the compliance
stage of the proceeding if it has not already been remedied.
XIX. STENTON HALL NURSING CONVALESCENT CENTER,
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA; TRIAL ON FEBRUARY 22
AND 23, 1989. CHARGING PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199C
It is alleged that Respondent violated the Act in two ways
with respect to this facility, i.e., it violated Section 8(a)(5)
by failing and refusing to execute a collective-bargaining
agreement between December 9, 1986, and April 7, 1987,
and that on July 13, 1987, it violated Section 8(a)(5) when
it unlawfully imposed restrictions on the activities of union
delegates in the facility.
By way of background, I note that an election was held
on February 7, 1986, which the Union won. The Union was
thereafter certified to represent a unit of service and mainte-
nance employees.
A. Failure and Refusal to Execute the Collective-
Bargaining Agreement
Negotiations began for a first contract between these par-
ties in February or March 1986. The chief spokesman for the
Union was Donna Ford, executive vice president and rep-
resentative. The chief spokesman for Respondent was Judy
Mollinger, human resources representative. In so far as there
is conflict in the testimony between Ford and Mollinger I
credit Ford, who impressed me not only with the precision
of her testimony but her demeanor. Mollinger, while basi-
cally honest, impressed me as a witness in this part of the
case as in others as a person who was in over her head and
was unable to keep track of all the many responsibilities she
had. She was harried, overworked, and disorganized. She is
no longer an employee of Respondent.
Mollinger told Ford that she (Mollinger) was fully author-
ized by Respondent to negotiate and agree to a contract with
the Union regarding the service and maintenance unit at this
facility.
The next to last negotiating session was August 21, 1986,
at the offices of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Serv-
ice in Philadelphia. The parties were interested in reaching
their goal of a contract and worked the entire day and into
the next day. They finally broke at 3 or 4 in the morning.
Mollinger told the Union that she had to get an okay on
wages from corporate headquarters in California and the par-
ties recessed until 9 a.m. on August 22, 1986. The parties
reconvened and by 4 p.m. had a complete contract. Mollinger
and Ford agreed to meet on Saturday, August 23, to initial
terms agreed to and put the agreement in draft form. They
met at 10 a.m. and completed their task around 11 p.m. They
went through all the language and initialed off on each
clause. Some of the clauses they agreed to were handwritten
by Ford and some were handwritten by Mollinger. Suffice it
to say they had an agreement in draft form.
Thereafter, on September 1, 1986, Mollinger wrote Ford
advising her that some language was inadvertently left out of
a clause on wages. Ford took the position that the language
needed no clarification. Mollinger wrote Ford on October 9,
1986, and said lets put in clarifying language and finalize the
contract ‘‘upon which we agreed August 22, 1986.’’
Mollinger also wanted confirmation that the contract had
been ratified. In fact, the contract was ratified in August
1986 and the administrator of the facility so advised.
New employees were being hired at an hourly wage higher
than the hourly wage of employees already working at the
facility. The contract was not to be effective until it was exe-
cuted. Ford was horrified at this and wanted the contract
signed and made effective as soon as possible so that, among
other reasons, employees could get the raises called for in
the contract Ford and Mollinger agreed to in August. The
Union wrote a letter to Mollinger on December 9, 1986, en-
268 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
closing copies of the contract and asked that Respondent exe-
cute the contract.
Eventually, Ford and Mollinger met in Philadelphia in
early February 1987. Mollinger was accompanied by one of
her superiors. The wage proposals agreed to on August 22,
1986, and signed off on by both Ford and Mollinger on Au-
gust 23, 1986, were as follows:
Section 1, Wages for the period August 22, 1986
through August 21, 1987:
(a) all current employees past probation whose hour-
ly rate as of August 22, 1986 is less than $4.20 per
hour shall have their hourly rate adjusted to $4.20 ef-
fective August 22, 1986.
(b) All employees who [sic] continuous service is
greater than one (1) year as of August 22, 1986 shall
receive an additional ten cents (10¢) per hour effective
August 22, 1986.
C. Effective August 22, 1986 through and including
August 21, 1987 each employee shall receive a wage
increase of three percent (3%) based on his hourly rate
on the employees annual employment anniversary date.
d(1) Effective August 22, 1986 the minimum entry
hourly wage rate for all bargaining unit classifications
except the cook classification is $4.10 per hour.
(2) On completion of the ninety (90) day probation
period an employee shall receive an increase of 10 per
hour making the job rate $4.20 per hour.
Respondent’s proposal at the February 1987 meeting was
that section 1,b, set out above, be modified to read:
(b) All employees whose continuous service is great-
er than one year and whose hourly rate is more than
$4.20 per hour as of August 22, 1986 shall receive an
additional ten cents (.10¢) per hour increase effective
August 22, 1986.
The Union in order to get the contract signed agreed to
a 5-cent rather than a 10-cent-an-hour raise for employees
with more than 1 year and less than 2 years on the job.
The parties, thereafter, on March 11, 1986, signed the con-
tract. It is clear the Respondent un}awfully failed and re-
fused to execute the contract it agreed to on August 23,
1986, until the Union agreed to modify it. This is a violation
of Section 8(a)(5) of the Act.
B. Imposition of Restrictions on Union Delegates
The collective-bargaining agreement between the parties
refers to union representatives and union delegates. Union
representations are employees of the Union and not employ-
ees of the facility. Union delegates are employees of the fa-
cility and are the functional equivalent of shop stewards.
Article VIII of the agreement effective August 22, 1986,
to August 21, 1988, is entitled ‘‘Union Activity and Visita-
tion.’’ It provides as follows:
Section 1.
The authorized representative(s) of the Union shall
have reasonable access to the Employer’s premises for
the purpose of conferring with the Employer, delegates
of the Union and/or Employees during non-work time
and in non-work areas, and for the purpose of admin-
istering this Agreement. When a Union representative
enters the Employer’s premises he shall notify the ad-
ministrator or person in charge of his visit so that his
activities do not interfere with patient care or the effi-
cient operation of the Home. No more than two (2)
Union representatives shall visit the facility at any time
unless the parties mutually agree otherwise. The Em-
ployer will not unreasonably withhold permission from
the Union representative to accomplish the purpose of
his visit. The Union will furnish the name of the au-
thorized representative. The Union representative(s)
may meet with scheduled employees during their breaks
and/or meal periods.
Section 2.
Delegates of the Union shall be permitted to furnish
information, police the terms of this Agreement, proc-
ess grievances and perform related duties of mutual
concern to the employees and the Union. In no event
shall the delegates interfere with the operations of the
Employer. The Union shall advise the Employer in
writing as to the identity of the Delegates.
Section 3.
Employees elected as Union delegates shall be per-
mitted to attend regular delegate assembly meetings,
providing that employer operations shall not be im-
paired and the Employee can schedule the time off.
Section 4.
When a delegate finds it necessary to enter a depart-
ment of the Employer in the course of the performance
of his duties as a delegate, he shall first secure the per-
mission of his supervisor, and when he arrives in the
other department will secure the permission of that de-
partment head or designee. Such visit shall not interfere
with the operation of the Employer.
Section 5.
A delegate will be provided areasonable and nec-
essary time off from his assigned schedule of work,
while involved in the manner provided in the grievance
procedure, provided such time off does not interfere
with the operations of the Employer. The delegate shall
advise his supervisor of the grievance and make an ap-
pointment with the appropriate supervisor at a mutually
agreeable time. The delegate will report back to his im-
mediate supervisor when his part in the grievance has
been completed.
Section 6.
The Employer will furnish a bulletin board for the
use of the Union in communicating with employees.
Official Union notices containing no inflammatory
comment may be posted as soon as the Union rep-
resentative has notified the facility administrator of an
intent to post such notice. Notices or literature other
than that for the normal conduct of the Union’s busi-
ness must first have the Employer’s approval.
269BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
On July 13, 1987, the administrator of the facility,
Veronica Scicchitano, sent a memo to the two union dele-
gates, i.e., Daisy Franklin and James Bennett. The memo
provided, in part, as follows:
The Union Delegates are permitted to discuss union
activities with employees only during non-work time
and in non-work areas. You have recently been seen
violating the policy. Continued violations could result
in future disciplinary action.’’
Article VIII of the contract contains no such language re-
stricting the activities of union delegates other than the fol-
lowing: ‘‘In no event shall the delegates interfere with the
operations of the Employer.’’
At no time prior to issuing this memo did Respondent ad-
vise the Union that it wished to renegotiate the matter.
Administrator Scicchitano testified that the director of
nursing told her that one of the delegates, Daisy Franklin,
was discussing the Union with another employee while that
employee was giving direct care to a resident of the facility.
As a result the administrator issued the July 13 memo.
It is clear that the July 13 memo modified the contract
with respect to the ability of union delegates to do their job.
The board prohibition on the activity of union delegates in
the memo, e.g., no discussion of union activities except in
nonworktime and in nonwork areas, limited the flexibility of
union delegates who under the contract are permitted to carry
out their duties anyway they feel is necessary, provided they
do not interfere with the operations of the facility. Under the
memo union delegates are unduly restricted since there are
only two delegates and the lunch and break times of employ-
ees and delegates will necessarily differ. It could be that
some employees would never be off duty on break or lunch
at the same time as either of the union delegates.
In issuing the July 13 memo without first getting agree-
ment from the Union Respondent violated Section 8(a)(5) of
the Act. The memo should be rescinded.
XX. AND XXI. NORTH PARK MANOR, MEADVILLE,
PENNSYLVANIA, AND GREENE HEALTH CARE CENTER,
WAYNESBURG, PENNSYLVANIA; TRIAL ON JANUARY 23,
24, 25, AND 26, AND FEBRUARY 23, 1989; CHARGING
PARTY IS SEIU 585
These two facilities were sold by Beverly. The sales were
effective on December 31, 1987, but Meritcare, Inc., the pur-
chaser, took over control and management of the facilities on
September 15, 1987, pending finalization of the sales. At
each facility the Union represented a unit of service and
maintenance employees and at each facility it is alleged that
Respondent when requested to engage in effects bargaining
failed and refused to do so.
Subsequent to the sale, the new owner, Meritcare, Inc.,
recognized the Union and collective-bargaining agreements
were signed between the Union and Meritcare.
At the North Park Manor facility it is also alleged that
three unit employees, Jeraldine Bubna, Mable Dart, and
Joyce Kircher, were discriminated against because of their
union activity.
I will first address the allegations of unlawful actions
against the three North Park Manor employees.
A. Discharge of Jeraldine Bubna
Jeraldine Bubna, a nurses aide, worked at North Park from
1980 until her discharge for excessive absenteeism on No-
vember 21, 1986. Her work performance was rated ‘‘very
good’’ for the periods December 1983 to December 1984
and December 1984 to December 1985. A ‘‘very good’’ rat-
ing is second only to an ‘‘outstanding’’ rating. She signed
a union authorization card, wore a union button, had a
prounion sticker on the bumper of her car, and was noted by
management at the facility as being prounion and as being
so prounion that Respondent would not be able to change her
mind. This rating by management was done in writing prior
to the union election in October 1986, which the union won.
Seven weeks later this ‘‘very good’’ employee was fired for
excessive absenteeism.
Bubna had a medical excuse for her absences but Re-
spondent’s policy was to discipline for excessive absenteeism
whether the employee had a good excuse, e.g., doctor’s slip,
or not. This policy was put into effect on July 23, 1986.
The question then is whether the policy on absenteeism
was enforced in a discriminatory manner, i.e., enforced only
or more strictly against union supporters. The absenteeism
policy was adopted just 5 days before the Union notified
North Park, in writing, that it was attempting to organize its
work force. It was issued long after the Union started its
campaign, which was back in January and February 1986. It
seems clear that this draconian policy was adopted not only
to solve the staffing problems at North Park but also as a
weapon to employ against prounion employees. It is so cruel
that a facility dedicated to providing care to those in need
would not employ such a policy absent a reason in addition
to a concern about staffing.
Not only did Bubna have a doctor’s excuse for missing
work due to illness but the doctor, who furnished the note,
Dr. Susan Matthews, was a doctor who was often in this fa-
cility attending to the medical needs of the facility’s elderly
residents. Dr. Matthews, in her note, wrote that because of
Bubna’s pneumonia she was instructed by Dr. Matthews not
to return to work and further she should not, as long as she
was suffering from pneumonia, especially not work in a
nursing home. Bubna was off work with a doctor’s excuse
and the doctor, who treated residents in this facility, was ad-
vising that if Bubna went to work she would be endangering
the health of the elderly residents of the facility. Under these
circumstances no humane person would fire Bubna, who was
ill and who if she went to work and helped the facility staff-
ing problem would endanger the health of the facility resi-
dents, unless they had an ulterior motive. Considering all the
evidence, the facility had an ulterior motive, i.e., get rid of
this union supporter. The discharge of Jeraldine Bubna was
violative of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act.
B. Removal of Administrative Duties and Subsequent
Transfer of Mabel Dart
Mabel Dart was the employee who first called the Union
and requested that it organize the facility. She attended union
organizing meetings in January and February 1986. She was
the union observer at the election on October 3, 1986, which
the Union won. She was a member of the union organizing
team and the facility was notified in a letter dated August
20, 1986, that Dart and 10 other employees demanded that
270 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Respondent recognize the Union. Dart and 10 other employ-
ees, to include Joyce Kircher, but not Jeraldine Budna,
signed this letter. After the election she served on the union
bargaining committee and was a shop steward. She was
prounion and Respondent knew it. Prior to the election Re-
spondent rated her in writing as ‘‘prounion.’’
Her duties were to assist John Hilson, who was retained
by the facility as a physical therapist. Dart’s work perform-
ance rating was ‘‘outstanding.’’ ‘‘Outstanding’’ is the facili-
ty’s highest rating.
In December 1986, approximately 2 months after the elec-
tion, Dart was stripped of certain administrative duties,
which consisted of helping the front office in the billing as-
sociated with the physical therapy department. She was
stripped of these duties because of her position with the
Union. Administrator Tim Cimbalnik admitted in his testi-
mony in Respondent’s case that this was the reason she was
stripped of those duties. Prior to his testimony physical thera-
pist John Hilson testified in the General Counsel’s case.
Hilson credibly testified that Cimbalnik told him that the rea-
son he removed those duties from Dart was because he
didn’t want Dart to know too much about the income of the
facility since she was active on behalf of the Union and ne-
gotiations were beginning for a collective-bargaining agree-
ment.
Several months later, in March 1987, when negotiations
were under way, Dart was transferred out of the physical
therapy department and assigned as a general duty nurses
aide. Respondent claims it did so because of staffing needs.
I think otherwise. For one thing, Dart was replaced as an as-
sistant to the physical therapist by another aide even though
Hilson thought Dart to be an outstanding assistant. As a re-
sult of the transfer Dart had to work more weekends than in
her old position.
It is clear that Dart had administrative duties removed
from her and was transferred because of her protected con-
certed activity in violation of Section 8(a)(1) and (3) of the
Act.
C. Two Disciplinary Warnings to Joyce Kircher
Joyce Kircher was prounion and Respondent knew it at the
time she was disciplined. Her latest evaluation which covered
the period December 1985 to December 1986 was ‘‘very
good,’’ second only to an ‘‘outstanding’’ rating. Kircher had
also signed with Mabel Dart and eight other employees a let-
ter to Respondent, dated August 20, 1986, demanding rec-
ognition of the union. Prior to the October election Respond-
ent rated Kircher in writing as prounion. Subsequent to the
October 1986 election Rircher was on the union negotiating
team along with Mabel Dart.
On January 20, 1987, Kircher received an oral warning,
reduced to writing of course, for failing to call in sick 2 or
more hours before the start of her shift on January 2, 1987.
Kircher’s shift started at 7 a.m. Since she was calling in ill
she was required to do so by 5 a.m. or earlier. The oral
warning from DON Jean Drake states that Kircher called in
at 5:20 a.m. Kircher credibly testified that she was ill but
hoping she would begin to feel better and be able to work.
She was up and awake before 5 a.m. and made it a point
to call by 5 a.m. and not much earlier because she wanted
to call in sick if necessary in a timely fashion or hopefully
feel better and be able to go to work and be paid. She called
at 5 a.m. and spoke to nurse Phyllis Beardsley. Beardsley did
not tell Kircher when Kircher called her that it was after 5
a.m.
Beardsley testified in Respondent’s case. She claims she
wrote down on a piece of paper the time Kircher called (she
claims she was looking at the clock) but waited a full 1-1/2
hours before she ever noted in writing on the proper form
that Kircher had called in sick. She threw away the original
scrap of paper. Beardsley had a terrible memory concerning
the matter and had great difficulty reading her own writing.
Indeed, in looking at Beardsley’s note it is difficult to deter-
mine if she wrote 5:30 a.m. and someone wrote 5:20 a.m.
over it or vice versa as the time when Kircher called in sick.
DON Jean Drake relied on the note prepared by Beardsley
up to 1-1/2 hours after Kircher called in when deciding to
write up Kircher. Kircher claimed she called at 5 a.m. Drake
testified that in the event of a dispute she relied on the word
of the professional, in this case, LPN Beardsley.
Drake’s ready acceptance of Beardsley’s version of what
happened over Kircher’s was prompted by Respondent’s
wish to ‘‘get’’ this very prounion supporter. Any fair minded
person who, faced with the facts of Kircher saying 5 a.m.,
Beardsley’s note saying 5:20 or 5:30 a.m., and the delay in
Beardsley recording the time on the proper document, would
have to conclude that Kircher may or may not have called
in late and not discipline Kircher. I am convinced that
Kircher called in at 5 a.m. based on her testimony and her
demeanor. She was an honest woman and I don’t believe
mistaken.
On April 20, 1987, Kircher was given a written warning
for damaging facility property. Resident was changing rooms
and Kircher moved the resident’s night stand or dresser.
Kircher slid the nightstand across the floor leaving marks on
the floor. She was given the written discipline because she
damaged the floor and should have had the good sense to get
assistance in lifting the nightstand so the floor would not be
marked by sliding the nightstand.
It was uncontradicted that the marks left on the floor by
Kircher moving the nightstand as she did were buffed right
out by the custodial staff. The damage, in other words, was
de minimus and temporary. Administrator Cimbalnik author-
ized DON Drake to give the written warning.
In light of the fact hat the damage was not permanent and
not severe it is inconceivable that Kircher would have been
so disciplined but for her prounion activity of which
Cimbalnik and Drake were well aware. Wright Line, supra.
Both disciplines were violative of Section 8(a)(1) and (3)
of the Act.
D. Failure and Refusal to Engage in Effects Bargaining
Negotiations for a first collective-bargaining agreement
were continuing at the time Beverly sold these two facilities
to Meritcare, Inc.
Judy Mollinger was Beverly’s chief negotiator for both
North Park and Greeve. As of Friday, September 11, 1987,
negotiations were pending as regards North Park but Tuesday
and Wednesday, September 15 and 16, 1987, negotiations
were scheduled for Greene. The Union, of course, was the
same for both the unit at North Park and the unit at Greene.
The union negotiator was also the same, i.e., Mary Ann Col-
lins.
271BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
On Friday, September 11, 1987, Judy Mollinger called
Mary Ann Collins’ office and left a message with Linda
Wambaugh in Collins’ absence. Mollinger told Wambaugh
that North Park and Greene had been sold to Meritcare effec-
tive Tuesday, September 15, 1987, and Beverly was out of
the picture.
Collins got the message later that day and notified Union
President Rosemary Trump. Collins then called Mollinger’s
office to confirm that they would still be meeting on Sep-
tember 15 and 16. Mollinger was not in at this time.
On Monday, September 14, 1987, Mollinger called Col-
lins’ office. Collins was not in and Mollinger left a message
that the meetings for September 15 and 16 were canceled
and that the Union would have to deal with the new owners.
On Monday, September 14, 1987, Union President Trump
called Mollinger’s office. Judy Mollinger was not available.
After being informed that there was no one there in
Mollinger’s office in Rockville, Maryland, or her boss’ office
in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for Trump to speak to, Trump
left a message that the Union wanted to go ahead with the
scheduled meetings on September 15 and 16 to engage in ef-
fects bargaining regarding both the North Park and Greene
facilities.
Collins went to the scheduled meeting place on September
15 but neither Mollinger nor anyone else from Beverly
showed up. Collins then went to the Greene Health Care
Center and spoke to Administrator Pete Bender and told him
that the Union wanted to engage in effects bargaining.
In point of fact the sale of these two facilities was not fi-
nalized until December 1987 but as of September 15, 1987,
Meritcare, Inc., took over control and management of the fa-
cilities. Respondent was, of course, required to engage in ef-
fects bargaining, e.g., severance pay, insurance, accrued
leave, recognition of the Union by the new owner, etc. First
National Maintenance Corp. v. NLRB, 452 U.S. 666 (1981).
By informing the Union on September 11 and 14, 1987,
that the facilities were sold, that the Union would have to
deal with the new owners, and canceling the scheduled meet-
ings for September 15 and 16, 1987, Respondent violated
Section 8(a)(1) and (5) of the Act.
On September 30, 1987, Collins finally managed to talk to
Judy Mollinger. Mollinger told Collins to put it in writing
what effects bargaining she wanted to engage in with respect
to the sale of North Park and Greene. On October 1, 1987,
the very next day, Collins wrote a letter requesting that Re-
spondent engage in effects bargaining in the areas of accu-
mulated leave, health insurance, and seniority lists.
On November 10, 1987, Mollinger wrote to Collins and
answered her questions but only with respect to North Park
and furnished no information about Greene. This was the last
the Union heard from Mollinger. It is clear that Respondent
violated the Act by failing and refusing to engage in effects
bargaining. It is interesting to note that Mollinger testified
that her orders in September 1987 were to do no negotiating
regarding either facility. She carried out those orders pretty
effectively and in violation of Section 8(a)(5) of the Act.
XXII. FOUR CHAPLAINS CONVALESCENT CENTER,
WESTLAND, MICHIGAN; TRIAL ON FEBRUARY 14, 15, 16,
AND 17, AND JUNE 6, 1989; CHARGING PARTIES ARE SEIU
79 AND PRECIOUS BEASLEY, AN INDIVIDUAL
Trial on this case opened on February 14, 1989, and the
testimony of four witnesses was taken, i.e., Jan Heller, Pre-
cious Beasley, Deborah Wise, and Angela Davis. On Feb-
ruary 15, 1989, the court reporter advised that her tapes of
the session were stolen from her in a robbery. They were
never recovered. Pursuant to agreement of the parties trial re-
convened on June 6, 1989, to retake the testimony of the
four witnesses. Only Precious Beasley was available. In addi-
tion, the testimony of Ava Anderson was taken as well. An-
derson was scheduled to testify in February but was hospital-
ized due to complications arising from her pregnancy. She
later gave birth to a healthy baby and testified along with
Beasley in June. I am not relying on the testimony adduced
on February 14, 1989.
The Union tried to organize this facility. An election was
held on March 18, 1988. The result was 35 votes for the
Union and 38 votes against the Union. The Union filed ob-
jections and the Regional Director for Region 7 issued an
order directing a hearing on objections. The General Counsel
moved to consolidate the hearing on objections with the un-
fair labor practice case which motion I granted on October
3, 1988. The objections to the election are the same as the
allegations of unfair labor practices. It is alleged that Re-
spondent unlawfully disciplined four employees, Yvonne
Williams, Precious Beasley, Leonnette Curry, and Pauline
Raynor and that those unlawful disciplines violate the Act
and should result in the election being set aside and a new
election ordered.
A. Written Warnings Given to Yvonne Williams
Yvonne Williams was actively prounion. She signed a let-
ter sent to Administrator Larry Ruhlen, which was hand-de-
livered to DON Dianne Pryslack, on February 2, 1988, de-
manding that the Union be recognized. The other three al-
leged discriminatees, Precious Beasley, Leonnette Curry, and
Pauline Raynor and nine other employees signed as well. In
addition, a handbill was distributed outside the facility urging
unionization signed by Williams, the other three alleged
discriminatees, and some other employees. Respondent knew
Williams was prounion when it issued her a written warning
on February 13, 1988, approximately 1 month before the
election, for failing to punch in for work and punch out for
lunchbreak.
Charge Nurse Pat Bailey in making rounds observed that
one of Williams’ patients was wet. She looked for Williams
but couldn’t locate her. She then checked and found out that
Williams had not punched in for work on the timeclock, had
not punched out for lunch, and had not signed out for lunch
at her work station, all of which Williams should have done
pursuant to facility practice and this requirement had been
the subject of a recent in-service meeting on February 3,
1988, where employees, to include Williams, were reminded
about the rule on punching in and out for work and breaks
and lunch and signing in and out of work station.
272 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Bailey gave Williams a written warning. Williams was
guilty of the offense. Bailey also learned in checking up on
Williams that aides Precious Beasley and Cindy Syracuse
had also failed to punch out for lunch. All three women,
Williams, Beasley and Syracuse were given written warn-
ings. There is no evidence that Cindy Syracuse was in any
way active on behalf of the Union. In light of these facts and
in light of the fact that evidence reflected that a number of
employees were similarly disciplined for the same offense I
find that no violation of the Act occurred when Williams was
issued the written warning even though there was credible
evidence that not on every single occasion that an employee
failed to punch in or out for lunch or break or failed to sign
in or out of their work station were they disciplined. On Au-
gust 10, 1988, Respondent fired Williams. A charge was
filed over this discharge but was never before me for deci-
sion as to whether or not the discharge violated the Act.
B. Discipline of Precious Beasley
Precious Beasley, a nurses aide, was actively prounion and
Respondent knew it when it issued her a written warning on
February 13, 1988, an oral warning on February 20, 1988,
suspended her indefinitely on February 25, 1988, and dis-
charged her on May 17, 1988. Beasley, like the other three
alleged discriminatees, signed the letter to Administrator
Ruhlen demanding recognition of the Union and her name
was on the handbill which urged unionization.
I also find that Beasley spoke with Administrator Ruhlen
and DON Pryslack and they asked her to keep them in-
formed about union activity. I also find that DON Pryslack
spoke with Beasley and told Beasley she was being ‘‘com-
missioned’’ to promote the company position about unioniza-
tion and she should keep Pryslack posted on developments.
Beasley impressed me as an honest person although not par-
ticularly intelligent. Neither Ruhlen nor Pryslack testified.
They are no longer with Respondent and balked at coopera-
tion with Respondent’s lawyers.
With respect to Beasley’s written warning of February 13,
1988, I refer to the section immediately above this one which
concerned a similar discipline of Yvonne Williams which I
found to be lawful. For the same reasons I find Beasley’s
written warning for failing to punch out for lunch to be law-
ful. Beasley knew she violated the rule and she, Williams,
and Cindy Syracuse were all similarly disciplined and Syra-
cuse was never shown to be actively prounion. Just 10 days
prior Beasley and the others had been specifically readvised
of the rule on punching in and punching out.
On February 20, 1988, Beasley received an oral warning
for failing to record the ‘‘output’’ of three patients under her
care. Each nurse aide is supposed to record what the ‘‘out-
put’’ or contents are of their patients who are catheterized
and wearing so-called Foley bags. ‘‘Output’’ is the quantity
of urine deposited in the Foley bag. If blood is detected in
the urine that is also to be recorded. The nurses aides are
regularly reminded that they are to record output. You don’t
have to be a genius to recognize that this recording of output
is very important. Beasley knew she was supposed to do it
and admits that she did not do so. While there was evidence
that some employees failed to record output and were not
disciplined there was also evidence that some employees had
been disciplined for failing to record output. I do not find
that Beasley’s oral warning for failing to record output vio-
lated the Act in any way.
However, I do find that Beasley’s indefinite suspension
and discharge were unlawful and in violation of the Act.
On the day that Beasley received the oral warning for fail-
ure to record output she was advised by fellow nurses aides
Angela Davis and Ava Anderson that they had observed
charge nurse Pat Bailey, who had given Beasley the written
warning of February 13 and the oral warning of February 20,
removing some of her own clothes from a patient’s closet.
The three aides decided to write up Pat Bailey for keeping
personal clothes in a patient’s closet which was a violation
of the rules at this facility. Beasley got the form from an-
other charge nurse who told her and Ava Anderson that an
aide could write up a charge nurse. Beasley filled in the form
and Anderson and Davis signed it.
Within 5 days Beasley is suspended indefinitely and later
fired. No discipline whatsoever is meted out against either
Davis or Anderson.
Beasley was suspended on February 25 for ‘‘alleged pa-
tient neglect and/or failure to perform duties and/or improper
use of company disciplinary form.’’ As noted above neither
Davis nor Anderson were disciplined at all. The patient who
was supposedly neglected is, believe it or not, the mother of
charge nurse Pat Bailey.
When Beasley was suspended she was not told the identity
of the patient who she had allegedly neglected. When
Beasley, Anderson, and Davis concertedly brought to man-
agement’s attention their belief that charge nurse Bailey had
violated a facility rule they were engaged in protected con-
certed activity. They had an honest belief that Bailey violated
the rule and an honest belief, albeit inaccurate, that they
could ‘‘write her up.’’ Beasley is singled out for punishment
because she was actively prounion.
I believe the charge of patient neglect was trumped up. It
is interesting that the facility first learned of it from Bailey
about whom Beasley had complained and it is, lo and be-
hold, Bailey’s very own mother who was allegedly neglected.
The investigation of the patient neglect did not include an
interview of Beasley. Beasley was never told the allegations
against her, who made them, or asked what, if anything, was
her defense to the allegations of neglect.
Respondent did have LPN Mary Sirke take a statement
from IA, the resident in question. Sirke first spoke with Pat
Bailey, IA’s mother and Sirke’s colleague, and then Sirke
spoke with IA. IA’s complaints are that Beasley was sassy
with her, took her newspaper one day and didn’t return it,
and wouldn’t put her to bed. At the hearing Beasley admitted
that one time IA asked Beasley to put her to bed, Beasley
was busy with another resident and couldn’t do it imme-
diately and when she went to do so found out that a fellow
aide had put IA to bed and Beasley admits she once bor-
rowed a magazine from IA and failed to return it. She didn’t
do anything else that could conceivably be termed patient ne-
glect. IA did not testify.
On May 17, 1988, Beasley was discharged for the same
reasons she was suspended. I find that Beasley’s indefinite
suspension and discharge were motivated by Beasley’s pro-
tected concerted activity of ‘‘writing up’’ Pat Bailey and be-
cause of Beasley’s prounion activity. In connection with
Beasley’s prounion activity I note that at a meeting with a
group of employees during the campaign Mike Plott, one of
273BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
Respondent’s industrial relations representatives, was speak-
ing out against the Union. Beasley made a point of telling
Plott that she, in effect, was sick and tired of Respondent
talking badly about the Union and she got up to leave. Con-
sidering that Respondent took no disciplinary action against
Anderson and Davis, considering that the neglect of regiment
IA was nonexistent or miniscule, considering that resident IA
was the mother of charge nurse Pat Bailey, considering that
investigation of the patient neglect did not extend to asking
the accused her side of it, and considering the fact that
Beasley was actively prounion and Respondent knew it. I
conclude that Respondent suspended and discharged Beasley
in violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act and she should be
reinstated with backpay. Wright Line, supra.
C. The 3-Day Suspension of Leonnette Curry
Leonnette Curry was also actively prounion and Respond-
ent knew it. She signed the letter to Administrator Ruhlen
demanding that the Union be recognized and her signature
was also on the handbill distributed in February 1988.
Less than 1 month before the election Curry was sus-
pended for 3 days for sleeping on the job.
Curry worked 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift and during that shift
she was the only aide in the senior resident care section or
SRC. The aide on midnights on SRC are on call throughout
their shift and therefore paid for their 30-minute lunchbreak.
Whereas the other aides were not paid for their lunchbreak.
Although there was some dispute about where the SRC aide
on midnights could take her breaks suffice it and say it was
unclear.
Curry would join the aides for the lunchbreak in the em-
ployee lounge. A number of aides, to include Curry, would
put their heads on the table and tell their fellow employees,
who were not going to nap, to wake them up when the
lunchbreak was over.
Curry was observed sleeping during a lunchbreak by an-
other aide who anonymously reported it. When confronted
about sleeping on duty Curry admitted it and was suspended
for 3 days.
I find that Curry was suspended because of her prounion
activity. Curry, whether asleep or awake, was equally capa-
ble of being called on to assist a resident in her capacity as
a SRC aide. Curry could not be everywhere, therefore, when
on lunchbreak someone would have to find her. She was
available in the employee break area. She was never asleep
off by herself and she did not sleep in her car or leave the
facility. There is no evidence that prior to her suspension that
anyone told Curry that she could not nap during her
lunchbreak.
To suspend this prounion employee 1 month before the
election for doing something it was not that obvious she
wasn’t allowed to do was a violation of Section 8(a)(3) of
the Act.
Respondent could demand that SRC aides on midnight not
nap as other aides did during their lunchbreak but Respond-
ent never made that clear to Curry. Henceforth Curry knows
the rules. Don’t nap period even if other aides are there to
wake you up after the lunchbreak.
There is no evidence whatsoever that any resident was de-
nied care or jeopardized in any way by Curry napping in the
employee lounge during her lunchbreak where other aides
were present and instructed to wake her up when her break
ended and anyone looking for her could easily find her and
wake her.
D. Oral Warning to Pauline Raynor
Pauline Raynor, like the other three alleged discriminatees,
was actively prounion and Respondent knew it.
On February 27, 1988, she received an oral warning from
her supervisor, Chris Biernacki. Biernacki credibly testified
that he gave the oral warning for excessive tardiness because
Raynor was excessively tardy and not, in whole or in part,
because of her union activity. I believe him. He was a cred-
ible witness.
Raynor was excessively tardy. Her excuse was that she
had car troubles. Her excuse may be the reason for her tardi-
ness but it is not an excuse. An excuse would be something
along the lines of a sick child or something of that nature.
The oral warning given on February 27, 1988, was for
being 8 minutes late on February 18, 1988, 20 minutes late
on February 19, 1988, 1 hour and 11 minutes late on Feb-
ruary 26, 1988, and 52 minutes late on February 27, 1988.
Raynor claims she had permission to be late. She told
DON Diane Pryslack and Supervisor Chris Biernacki that she
had car problems. The fact that Pryslack may have told
Raynor to do the best she could to get to work and call in
if she was going to be late is not a blank check excusing
all future tardiness due to her car problems.
Since Raynor was indeed excessively tardy and since I
credit Biernacki as to why he disciplined Raynor I do not
find Raynor’s discipline to be violative of Section 8(a)(3) of
the Act.
E. Setting aside of First Election
Since I find that within approximately 1 month of the elec-
tion, which the Union lost, 38 votes to 35, that Respondent
violated Section 8(a)(3) by suspending indefinitely Precious
Beasley and suspending for 3 days Leonnette Curry, both of
whom were members of the union organizing team and
strong union supporters, I will recommend that the election
results be set aside and a new election ordered. Beasley was
discharged subsequent to the election and that illegal dis-
charge, therefore, could not have interfered with the election
results.
XXIII. ADRIAN HEALTH CARE CENTER, ADRIAN,
MICHIGAN; TRIAL ON MARCH 15 AND 16, 1989;
CHARGING PARTY IS SEIU 79
The union organizing campaign began in late September
1986. An election petition was filed November 5, 1986, and
an election held on December 19, 1986, which the Union
won.
On January 14, 1987, Kim King was discharged. The only
issue in this case is whether or not Kim King was discharged
because of her prounion activity or not. It is my conclusion
that she was fired because of her prounion activity and,
therefore, Respondent violated Section 8(a)(3) of the Act.
Administrator Kevin McKim and Housekeeping Supervisor
Gloria Koon were the persons who signed off on King’s dis-
charge notice. McKim claims he didn’t know anything about
King’s union sympathies and Koon claims that she thought
that King was antiunion. I do not believe either McKim or
Koon on this point.
274 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
King was actively prounion and Respondent knew it.
Union Organizer Cecilia Aitchison referred to King as one
of the three principal prounion forces at the facility. King
bandbilled at the facility on November 4 and December 17,
1986 (the day after Kevin McKim became the new adminis-
trator). The prounion handbill passed out on November 5,
1986, had King’s signature on it along with the signatures
of 12 other employees. She attended bargaining sessions in
December 1986 between the Union and other Beverly facili-
ties. A prounion letter to then Administrator Linda Minnema
in November 1986 advising her of the union campaign con-
tained the signatures of King and seven other employees.
These were documents that Respondent would keep. It is in-
conceivable that Administrator McKim or Housekeeping Su-
pervisor Koon knew nothing of King’s union activity.
Kim King’s performance ratings were ‘‘very good’’ but
she had been disciplined prior to the beginning of the orga-
nizing campaign in late September 1986 and prior to Re-
spondent being aware of her prounion posture on November
5, 1986.
King’s prior disciplines were as follows: March 26, 1986,
written warning for improper use of the facility phone; Sep-
tember 4, 1986, written warning for violation of the dress
code by wearing a headband; September 11, 1986, written
warning again for violation of the dress code by wearing a
headband; October 14, 1986, written warning for leaving her
department without permission, and November 4, 1986, oral
warning for failure to keep timecard accurately.
If King committed another violation of the rules for which
she could be given a written warning she could, because of
her record and because of Respondent’s progressive discipli-
nary system, be discharged.
On January 14, 1987, King was discharged for alleged
misconduct on January 13, 1987, when she allegedly left the
facility without permission. It is clear to me that this dis-
charge was in violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act.
On January 12, 1987, King and several other employees
were elected stewards. The list of newly elected stewards
was posted in the breakroom, which was frequented by Re-
spondent’s management. King saw the work schedule and
observed that employee Michael Osborne was not listed as
working. She called Osborne and informed him of this fact.
Osborne came to the facility. He spoke with Administrator
McKim and DON Kristen Warner. He was told he was being
suspended pending investigation for patient abuse. He was
informed that he could not be told the name of the patient
he allegedly abused. Osborne was quite upset. He said ‘‘I
quit.’’
After he left the administrator’s office Osborne went to see
Kim King, newly elected steward in the laundry department
where she was a second-shift laundry aide. Osborne spoke
with King in the presence of nurses aide and also newly
elected steward Angela Russell. DON Warner came into the
laundry room, saw Osborne, and told him to leave the build-
ing. He did so. As he was leaving King asked Osborne to
wait for her in the parking lot.
King’s supervisor Gloria Koon was not available because
she was tied up with a quality assurance person from Bev-
erly’s higher headquarters. Pursuant to past practice King
asked Russell to ask charge nurse Marge Hanning if King
could take her break early. Russell asked Hanning. Hanning
said okay if nothing needed to be done at that time. Russell
told King and King took her break scheduled for 5 p.m. at
4 p.m. She went to the parking lot and spoke briefly with
Osborne about what happened in his meeting with the admin-
istrator and DON and what, if anything, the Union could do
for him and then she went back to work. There is no evi-
dence that she took any longer than her normal breaktime
and no evidence that the operations of the facility were ad-
versely affected in any way.
King was observed talking outside the facility with
Osborne and it was reported to management who fired her
the very next day.
It is clear that King had permission from Hanning, an ac-
knowledged supervisor and agent, to take her break early.
The rule at the facility, i.e., page 10 of the handbook, pro-
vides that an employee must have permission in order to
leave ‘‘the facility premises during the working hours.’’
Does premises include the parking lot? Is breaktime included
in working hours? We need not even get into this because
back in December 1986 Marge Kolb told employees that
they could leave the building during breaktime but should
not leave the facility property while on break. A comon prac-
tice was for employees to step outside for a cigarette while
on break, run to their car to get something during break, or,
in good weather to sit at the outside picnic table while on
break. Kolb is an industrial relations representative, an RN
and served as de facto interim administrator at this facility
in December 1986.
Since King was allowed to step outside of the building on
her break and had permission to take her break early she
should not have been fired for doing so. King was fired be-
cause this very prounion employee and newly elected stew-
ard was conferring with a former employee. King was dis-
charged in violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act.
I found all the General Counsel’s witnesses to be very
credible including Michael Osborne, who now lives with
Kim King. Osborne, who as noted above quit Respondent’s
employ when told he was under investigation for patient
abuse, is now a corrections officer with the Michigan State
Department of Corrections.
XXIV. PROVINCIAL HOUSE TOTAL LIVING CENTER,
KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN; TRIAL ON MARCH 13 AND 14,
1989; CHARGING PARTY IS OPERATING ENGINEERS 547
The Union lost an election at this facility on August 22,
1986. It is alleged that during the campaign preceding the
election an illegal promise was made in violation of Section
8(a)(1) of the Act and that after the election an active union
supporter, Linda Johnson, was discharged in violation of
Section 8(a)(3) of the Act and another employee, Kathree
Johnson (no relation to Linda Johnson) was told she was de-
nied her preferred work schedule in violation of Section
8(a)(1) of the Act.
A. Alleged Illegal Promise by Industrial Relations
Representative Marge Kolb
Industrial Relations Representative Marge Kolb was part
of the management team working to defeat the Union during
the campaign. It is alleged that in August 1986, a few weeks
before the election, Kolb told employee Linda Johnson that
Respondent was working on a plan to give employees every
other weekend off, which was more weekends off than they
275BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
were then getting off, but that this plan would be rejected
if the Union won the upcoming election.
Kolb impressed me as honest and smart. She denies she
said this and I believe her. She denies even having a ‘‘one
on one’’ conversation ever with Linda Johnson and while she
may be mistaken about that I do believe her when she testi-
fies that she never said what was attributed to her.
Kolb states that during the campaign she did mention
scheduling and basically said that in contracts with unions
that Respondent has entered into and she had the contracts
with her that Respondent in the management-rights clause of
the contracts retained the right to schedule the employees.
There was no violation of the Act.
B. Discharge of Linda Johnson
Linda Johnson was fired in December 1986 some 4
months after the election. She was actively prounion and Re-
spondent knew it. She was a member of the employee orga-
nizing committee along with 14 other employees and a letter
to ‘‘fellow employees’’ signed by Johnson and the other
members of the union organizing committee was found in
Respondent’s files and produced pursuant to subpoena. John-
son encouraged her fellow employees to join the Union. In
short, Johnson was prounion and Respondent knew it.
In fact, Linda Johnson’s husband, Michael Johnson, who
worked at another Beverly facility, was told by the adminis-
trator at that facility, Christopher Woitzel, that Woitzel had
received a call from the administrator of the facility where
Linda Johnson worked saying that Linda Johnson was trying
to get a union in and he was warned that her husband might
try to bring in a union at the facility where he worked.
Woitzel then told Michael Johnson that he was a good work-
er and he wouldn’t want to lose him. Woitzel, who is no
longer with Beverly, did not testify. I found Linda Johnson
and her husband, Michael Johnson, to be credible witnesses.
Linda Johnson’s record for discipline was bad. Between
May 1985 and June 1986 she received six written warnings
and one oral warning. Her work offenses included excessive
absenteeism, excessive tardiness, loitering, failing to be at
work on time, and disrespect to superiors.
In November 1986 she received a written warning for fail-
ure to shave three patients. The supervisor who gave Linda
Johnson the written warning was Anne Williams. Linda
Johnson is black and Anne Williams is white. Back in Feb-
ruary 1986 Johnson and several other employees concertedly
complained in writing that Anne Williams was harassing
some employees because they were black.
When she was afforded an opportunity to tell her side in
connection with the written warning for failure to shave the
patients in November 1986 Linda Johnson wrote on the form
that Williams was picking on her because she was black and
because of the Union. She also said that nurse technician
Pauline Bailey had told her (Johnson) that Williams told Bai-
ley to check up on only Johnson’s work and let Williams
know of any deficiencies. Bailey and Williams both denied
that Bailey was ever told just to check up on Johnson’s
work. Linda Johnson was fired for the offense of ‘‘making
false or malicious statement about an employee, the Com-
pany, or a patient.’’ Specifically for attributing to Bailey
something Bailey now claims she never said.
Between January 1985 and the hearing in March 1989 four
employees, in addition to Linda Johnson, were disciplined
for violating this rule. Three of them received written warn-
ings and only one was discharged. The employee discharged
had told a patient that the food at the facility was ‘‘swill,’’
‘‘slop,’’ and ‘‘poison’’ and sarcastically expressed to the pa-
tient that the patient was ‘‘finally done’’ when a patient fin-
ished a meal. This is significantly more serious than what
Johnson wrote about Bailey.
This facility, unlike the others in this litigation which cater
to elderly residents, caters to severely physically and men-
tally handicapped persons of all ages. To tell a severely
handicapped patient that their food is ‘‘swill,’’ ‘‘slop,’’ or
worse yet ‘‘poison’’ is quite a bit different from an employee
claiming that another employee says she was told to check
on her work only. Indeed, in Bailey’s and Williams’ state-
ments given to Respondent prior to Johnson’s discharge in
which they state that Bailey was told by Williams to check
just the one wing where Johnson worked (and some other
employees) would reflect some basis in fact for Johnson mis-
takenly, but in good faith, claiming that Bailey told her what
she claims she was told. In other words, Bailey was told just
to check the wing where Johnson worked rather than being
told just to check on Johnson.
The discharge of Linda Johnson was violative of Section
8(a)(3) of the Act when one considers (1) that Respondent
‘‘leaped’’ to the conclusion that Johnson lied when it ap-
peared more believable that Johnson either told the truth or
was reasonably mistaken about Bailey’s statement to her, (2)
that Johnson was prounion, a member of the union orga-
nizing committee, and had spoken up in favor of the Union
at a mandatory meeting run by management during the cam-
paign, (3) that Administrator Woitzel told Johnson’s husband
that the administrator where Johnson worked told Woitzel to
keep an eye on Johnson’s husband because she had tried to
bring union into the facility where she worked and her hus-
band might do the same where he worked, and (4) that the
only employee discharged for the same offense as Linda
Johnson committed a much more serious violation and that
two of the other three employees, who only received written
warnings, also committed significantly more serious offenses
than Johnson, i.e., they reported that seriously handicapped
patients had eaten when in fact they had not eaten.
C. Threat by Administrator Sonja Scarf
Kathree Johnson, no relation to Linda Johnson, was
prounion. She served as the union observer at the election
which the Union lost. She is no longer with Respondent.
Kathree Johnson worked day shift. She was permitted to
start work at 7 a.m. rather than 6:30 a.m. because of baby-
sitter problems.
In December 1986, after the Union lost the election, the
day shift hours were changed from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
to 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kathree Johnson worked 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
She asked Administrator Sonja Scarf in January 1987 at a
staff meeting on the schedule change if she (Rathree John-
son) could continue to work 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., because of her
continuing babysitter situation. Scarf, after telling Kathree
Johnson that she remembered Johnson saying during the
campaign that a union was needed, told Johnson to put in
a formal request. Johnson did and it was denied.
Scarf claims she told Johnson at the meeting in January
1987 that a few months ago she (Scarf) couldn’t do anything
276 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
right and now Johnson wanted a favor. Scarf was referring
to Johnson’s prounion posture during the campaign.
Scarf’s statement to Kathree Johnson was a threat that be-
cause of Johnson’s prounion posture during the campaign she
would not get her preferred schedule and was a violation of
Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
XXV. FAITH HAVEN CARE CENTER, JACKSON, MICHIGAN;
TRIAL ON MARCH 20, 21, AND 22, 1989; CHARGING PARTY
IS SEIU 79
It is alleged that during the union organizing campaign
which ran from March 4 to April 17, 1987, that Respondent
violated Section 8(a)(1) of the Act by threatening more strin-
gent work rules if the Union won the election, unlawfully in-
terrogating employees, soliciting employees to engage in sur-
veillance of union activity, threatening loss of benefits if the
Union won the election, removing bulletin board to interfere
with union campaign, and that Respondent violated Section
8(a)(3) of the Act by unlawfully discharging prounion em-
ployees Angela Poole and Yvonne Murine. The Union won
the election anyway.
A. Alleged 8(a)(1) Violations by DON Cindi Ormsby
At a mandatory meeting on February 18, 1987, DON
Cindi Ormsby in talking about the Union threatened the em-
ployees by telling them if they select the Union Respondent
would go by the book and things can get hectic. This is a
threat in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. Yvonne Mu-
rine credibly testified to this statement by Ormsby. I do not
credit Ormsby’s denial.
B. Alleged 8(a)(1) Violations by Administrator
Susan Brown
Susan Brown is the administrator at this facility and the
daughter of Cindi Ormsby, the director of nursing.
On April 3, 1987, employee Carmen Yaloushian, who was
very credible, had a conversation with Administrator Susan
Brown. In the course of that conversation, which was friend-
ly, Brown asked Yaloushian if it would help for Yaloushian
to speak to the other employees and try to stop the union ef-
fort. Yaloushian said it was too late to do that. Brown also
told Yaloushian that if the Union got in that the employees
would lose the 20-cent-per-hour bonus for perfect attendance.
Although it was a friendly conversation there is no evidence
that Brown, the highest official in the facility, and
Yaloushian, had any relationship outside of work. Rossmore
House, supra.
Brown violated Section 8(a)(1) of the Act by unlawfully
interrogating employee Yaloushian, by threatening her with
loss of benefits if the Union was selected, and by asking her
to engage in surveillance of the union activities of employees
as an agent of Respondent.
At a mandatory meeting on April 15, 1987, just 2 days be-
fore the election, Administrator Brown spoke to employees.
Brown said that if the Union got in the employees would
lose the 20-cent-per-hour bonus program for perfect attend-
ance. I credit the testimony of employees Carmen
Yaloushian, Donna Wilson, and Phillip Burns, all of whom
testified that Brown said this over the testimony of Respond-
ent’s witness that this was not said. This constitutes a threat
in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. The General Coun-
sel’s witnesses impressed me by their demeanor and other-
wise as honest people.
C. Removal of Bulletin Board
Bulletin boards were located in both breakrooms at the fa-
cility. There was no evidence that residents of the facility
used either breakroom.
The bulletin board in one of the breakrooms was used dur-
ing the union organizing campaign by the employees to post
union literature as well as other notices of interest to the em-
ployees that had nothing to do with the Union.
Approximately 1 month before the election Administrator
Susan Brown ordered the bulletin board removed. Evidently
she thought some comments on it were derogatory of man-
agement.
Maybe some statements written on the bulletin board such
as ‘‘Administrator Stinks’’ were inappropriate but Brown
went too far in removing the bulletin board without first cau-
tioning employees not to write derogatory comments on it,
etc. The removal of the bulletin board used by employees to
convey information regarding the upcoming election tended
to interfere with employees in the exercise of their rights and
was a violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
D. Alleged 8(a)(1) Violations by Maintenance
Supervisor Jack Daane
On February 25, 1987, Carmen Yaloushian, an extremely
credible witness, spoke with Maintenance Supervisor Jack
Daane. Although Daane was trying to be nice to the very
emotional Yaloushian in telling her that if any employee
harasses her about the Union management would come to her
aid he went too far when he threatened her by stating that
if the Union got in Respondent would go strictly by the
book. This is a threat in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the
Act. He also unlawfully interrogated Yaloushian in violation
of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act when he asked her, in this same
conversation, which employees were trying to get the Union
into the facility.
On March 9, 1987, Daane gave a written warning to em-
ployee Phillip Burns and when Burns asked, in effect, why
management was cracking down Daane told Burns that be-
cause of the Union that Respondent was going by the book.
This a threat in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
E. Alleged 8(a)(1) Violations by Charge Nurses Judy
Falor and Ula Lauterback
Sue Atkins, who is still employed at the facility, heard
charge nurse Judy Falor, who also still works at the facility,
say that she had been told to write up employees. Falor
never testified.
Angela Poole and Sue Atkins also heard charge nurse Ula
Lauterback say that the charge nurses were instructed to
write people up for every little thing.
Both incidents happened in March 1987 and the statements
of Falor and Lauterback constituted threats in violation of
Section 8(a)(1) of the Act, i.e., that because of the Union
there would be more stringent enforcement of work rules.
F. Discharge of Angela Scott
Nurses aide Angela Scott was fired on March 26, 1987.
I do not find her discharge to be in violation of Section
277BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
8(a)(3) of the Act because there is very limited evidence that
Scott engaged in prounion activity and no evidence that Re-
spondent believed she had when it discharged her. Scott did
handbill on behalf of the Union in front of Respondent’s fa-
cility but this was after she was fired. Scott testified she
helped another aide solicit employees to sign union author-
ization cards but no evidence that Respondent knew of this.
Scott and another aide, Maria Shirley, agreed that Scott
would work Shirley’s 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift on Monday,
March 23, 1987. Shirley told Medical Records Coordinator
Jill Calor that Scott would work for her. Calor later asked
Scott if she was going to work for Shirley on Monday. Scott
said yes. On Monday, March 23, 1987, Scott didn’t come in.
Calor called her at home and said you’re supposed to be at
work and Scott said ‘‘oh, shit.’’ Scott forgot that she was
working for Shirley. Scott was written up. In the absence of
evidence that Respondent knew or believed Scott was
prounion this writeup, I find, was not violative of Section
8(a)(3) of the Act.
The very next day Scott again failed to come to work. She
was called at home and said that she had had an epileptic
seizure that morning, as well as the day before March 23,
was taking medication, and had fallen back to sleep before
she got a chance to call the facility and say she couldn’t get
in to work. She received a second written warning, which,
under Respondent’s rules authorized Respondent to discharge
her. Scott was fired. Since there is virtually no evidence of
union activity by Scott and no evidence that Respondent
thought she was prounion it is my conclusion that her dis-
charge was not in violation of the Act. Scott’s prior record
for absenteeism I note, was bad. She began work on June 18,
1986, and was absent 12 times between July 6 and October
18, 1986.
Angela Scott has since married and is now called Angela
Poole. At the hearing she was pregnant. She is an epileptic.
Respondent is free, of course, to rehire her if they wish but
her discharge was not in violation of the Act.
G. Discharge of Yvonne Murine
On March 27, 1987, Yvonne Murine was discharged. I
find that her discharge, unlike Angela Scott’s, was violative
of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act.
Murine began her employment with Respondent on Feb-
ruary 14, 1985. She was never disciplined until after she be-
came active on behalf of the Union more than 2 years later.
Her signature and that of 19 other employees was placed on
a handbill to fellow employees urging unionization. A copy
of this same handbill was given to Administrator Brown
prior to Murine’s difficulties at the facility.
Murine visited employees at home on behalf of the Union,
she got union authorization cards signed, posted union lit-
erature on the bulletin board at the facility, and she
handbilled three times before her discharge in front of the fa-
cility. Indeed, Maintenance Supervisor Jack Daane even took
pictures of the handbillers.
On March 7, 1987, Murine was given a written warning
for a no-call–no-show. Murine didn’t come to work. Murine
credibly testified she tried to call the charge nurse to say she
was ill but couldn’t get anyone. She finally called her sister,
Michelle Parsons, at the facility where she also worked to
say that she was ill, would not be in to work, and to pass
this on to management. Parsons never passed the word on to
the charge nurse. Respondent didn’t even ask Parsons if Mu-
rine had called her or not. Respondent simply gave Murine
the warning. Murine wrote a note to Administrator Brown
and DON Ormsby and put it under Brown’s door claiming
that she was disciplined for her union activity. She was right.
Brown claims she never got the note. I don’t believe her.
On March 25, 1987, Murine was written up for failing to
take resident BC to the bathroom. Aides were allowed to ask
other aides to help them. Murine credibly testified that the
staff was working ‘‘short’’ that day and she asked fellow
aides Maria Shirley and Kim Walters to take BC to the bath-
room because she (Murine) was busy doing something else.
They said they would. It was permissible for Murine to make
this arrangement. Walters corroborates Murine and admits
that it was she who forgot to take BC to the bathroom and
not Murine. Murine was disciplined for failing to do what
someone else was supposed to do. Respondent learned that
this was the situation but did not withdraw the discipline.
On March 22, 1987, Murine was written up for using the
facility phone without permission. She was calling home to
check on her daughter who was ill. Murine was guilty of this
offense but evidence at the hearing reflects that only one
other employee was ever disciplined for violating this rule
and this employee was simultaneously disciplined for several
other rule infractions. It seems clear that Respondent was out
to get Murine.
On March 27, 1987, Murine was discharged for failing to
call in at least 2 hours before the start of her shift to report
she was ill and could not come to work. She did violate the
rule but the circumstances were somewhat unique. Murine
woke up at 5:30 a.m., with a sore throat. When her throat
wasn’t any better by 5:55 a.m., she called in sick. Jill Calor,
who took the call, told her that she shouldn’t be around el-
derly residents with a sore throat.
In addition there was evidence at the hearing that Jack
Withrow was not always disciplined when he violated the 2-
hour call-in rule nor was Darlene Risner or Kim Walters.
Some were written up and some were not.
It is clear considering all the evidence that Murine was
fired in violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act. Wright Line,
supra.
XXVI. SHERMAN OAKS CARE CENTER, MUSKEGON,
MICHIGAN; TRIAL ON MARCH 23, 1989; CHARGING
PARTY IS SEIU 79
Since September 1984 the Union has represented a unit of
service and maintenance employees at this facility.
There were collective-bargaining agreements in effect from
April 1, 1985, to March 31, 1987, and from June 4, 1987,
to June 1, 1990. Each agreement contained a grievance-arbi-
tration clause. Further, both agreements contain the following
identical language:
The Employer will implement, post, inservice and en-
force a program regarding the control of
infectious/communicable diseases, which will include
notifying employees regarding the existence of any
such disease known by the Employer to exist in the fa-
cility, providing appropriate protective equipment and
clothing, contamination-preventive procedures, and dis-
posal methods/procedures to contaminated materials.
278 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
On June 18 and 25, 1987, grievances were filed by the
Union which basically said that the Union understood that
two residents in the facility were tested for AIDS and the
employees should be notified of the results so that they could
protect themselves from the disease if the patients had tested
positive. The grievances were denied at steps 1 and 2. The
Union was informed that the results of any AIDS testing
would not be turned over to them. The grievances were re-
ferred to a level higher than the facility.
On June 30, 1987, the Union requested, in writing, that
Respondent supply it in connection with the appeal of the
grievances a copy of Respondent’s infectious/communicable
disease program. Respondent by letter dated July 15, 1987,
refused to turn over this information.
Subsequently, the Union and Respondent met on August
27, October 14 and 28, and December 10, 1987. The Union
persisted in its request but the information was not turned
over.
Respondent did have a written document entitled ‘‘Infec-
tion Control Manual.’’ It did not turn this document over
until June 2, 1988, and only after the Union in December
1987 had filed a separate grievance over the failure to turn
over the information requested.
It is obvious beyond all doubt that it was reasonable and
necessary for the Union to have a copy of the ‘‘Infection
Control Manual’’ in order to intelligently pursue the griev-
ance. NLRB v. Acme Industrial Co., 385 U.S. 432 (1967);
Montgomery Ward & Co., supra. The Union agreed when it
received the ‘‘Information Control Manual’’ to show it only
to an expert to see if indeed the employees it represented
would be safe and to show the Manual to some employees
to make sure that the provisions of the ‘‘Infection Control
Manual’’ were being followed.
The delay of close to 1 year in turning over the manual
which under the collective-bargaining agreement was to be
‘‘posted’’ was outrageous. At the time the grievances were
filed and up to today there is unfortunately no cure for
AIDS. It is a deadly disease. Accordingly, it is and remains
a matter of monumental concern to the employees and their
representative.
Respondent’s argument that copies of the manual were in
the facility and could be inspected by the employees is not
persuasive. The manual should have promptly been turned
over to the Union. One would be hard pressed to think of
information more necessary or more relevant to the Union’s
performance of its function to adequately represent the em-
ployees at this facility.
The unconscionable delay in turning over the Infection
Control Manual from July 1987 to June 1988 violates Sec-
tion 8(a)(5) of the Act.
XXVII. EAST VILLAGE NURSING HOME, LEXINGTON,
MASSACHUSETTS; TRIAL ON APRIL 17, 18, AND 19, 1989;
CHARGING PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199 NE AND ELAIS
PIERRE, AN INDIVIDUAL
A. Overview
It is alleged that during a union organizing campaign at
this facility that three employees were disciplined for engag-
ing in protected concerted activity. Subsequent to the elec-
tion, which the Union won, it is alleged that Respondent
failed and refused to turn over information requested by the
Union in connection with the discharge of two other employ-
ees.
B. Protected Concerted Activity
On Saturday, September 19, 1987, Elias Pierre and Nicole
Pierre, who are husband and wife, Immacula Joseph, and
Pierre Paul Louis, were scheduled to work the 7 a.m. to 3
p.m. shift as nurses aides on the West 2 wing at this facility.
There were 41 residents on that wing. Ordinarily, six or
seven aides rather than just four aides would be needed to
cover the wing. The four aides discussed the short staffing
and told the charge nurse, Lucy La Fontaine, that they want-
ed to know if they were going to have to work short again.
Working short, i.e., without enough help, was a terrible prob-
lem at this facility and evidence from both the General
Counsel and Respondent reflected that virtually everyone at
the facility considered it to be a serious problem. Indeed, Di-
rector of Nursing (DON) Terry Spellmeyer quit over it.
Sometimes employees who worked short received ‘‘short
pay’’ and sometimes they did not. ‘‘Short pay’’ was when
the aides who worked would split the pay of the aides who
did not show up for work.
Supervisor Olga Lanza came to the floor at La Fontaine’s
request. The four aides complained concertedly about the
short staffing and wanted more aides to be put on the wing.
Lanza told them to either leave or go to work. This statement
by Lanza is not a violation of Section 8(a)(1) because the
bottom line is after a supervisor listens to the complaints of
the workers he or she can tell the workers to either leave or
get back to work. In point of fact, the four aides did go to
work. At no time did they refuse to go to work. What they
did do was simply concertedly complain about a condition of
their work. No residents of the facility were in the immediate
vicinity.
Supervisor Olga Lanza disciplined two of the aides, Elias
Pierre and Immacula Joseph. Elias Pierre was written up for
refusing to do his assignment but he did not refuse to do his
assignment. Lanza believes he sat down at the nurses station
during the conversation between Lanza and the four aides.
Both Elias Pierre and his wife testified he didn’t sit down
but even if he did sit down during the conversation between
the aides and Lanza this is not, by itself, a refusal to work.
Immacula Joseph also received a written warning for refusing
to do an assignment and insubordination. The insubordination
was being loud. But only Lanza says that Joseph was loud.
Joseph was not disrespectful to Lanza. It is clear that Elias
Pierre and Immacula Joseph were disciplined because of
their participation in the protected concerted activity of com-
plaining about a working condition, i.e., working short
staffed and the discipline of them was a violation of Section
8(a)(1) of the Act. Lanza did not discipline the other two,
Nicole Pierre or Pierre Paul Louis, because, apparently, they
were not active participants in the conversations between
Lanza and the aides. Elias Pierre and Immacula Joseph did
the talking.
On Sunday, September 20, 1987, Immacula Joseph re-
ceived a second written warning for coming to work late.
This is not alleged as a violation of the Act. Joseph, after
receiving this second written warning, voluntarily quit Re-
spondent’s employ.
Elias and Nicole Pierre, are a hard-working couple. Their
command of the English language is very weak. They had
279BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
volunteered to work a double shift on Saturday, September
19, 1987, i.e., 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. They impressed me as the
kind of people who do not refuse work.
On Sunday, September 20, 1987, Elias Pierre, Nicole
Pierre, Martin FoKog, and a fourth aide were assigned as
aides on the West 2 wing. Again, they were short staffed and
complained about it. DON Terry Spellmeyer came to the
floor. They complained about being short staffed. According
to Spellmeyer they refused to work. According to Elias
Pierre, Nicole Pierre, and Martin Fokog they never refused
to work. When Spellmeyer came on the floor they were wait-
ing for breakfast to be ready to be served. When the trays
arrived they served breakfast to the residents and did their
other work.
On Monday, September 21, 1987, Elias Pierre was called
into the front office. He was shown the written warnings for
refusing an assignment on September 19, 1987, for threaten-
ing charge nurse Lucy La Fontaine on September 19, 1987,
and refusing to do an assignment on September 20, 1987. As
a matter of fact, Elias Pierre never refused an assignment on
either September 19 or September 20 and he did not threaten
La Fontaine. La Fontaine did not testify. There is no real evi-
dence in the form of a written statement to the facility about
any threat Elias Pierre may have made to La Fontaine. The
warning states that Pierre told La Fontaine ‘‘that if they re-
ported this ‘she would see that would happen.’’’ This by it-
self is no threat. Elias Pierre was then told he was fired and
he could take his wife with him. He reasonably concluded
that his wife was likewise fired. He left the front office and
got his wife. He told her she was fired also. Nicole Pierre,
Elias’ wife, called DON Spellmeyer who confirmed that she
was fired by saying ‘‘that’s right you’re fired.’’ Since Nicole
Pierre was such a good worker and since the facility was in
desperate need of help it appears that if it was a legitimate
misunderstanding Respondent would have gone out of its
way to let Nicole Pierre know that she was not fired.
Spellmeyer claims that Nicole Pierre voluntarily quit. I
don’t believe Spellmeyer’s version of events. The decision to
fire Elias Pierre was made by DON Terry Spellmeyer ac-
cording to her own admission. It is my conclusion that she
also made the decision to fire Elias Pierre’s wife.
Elias Pierre and Nicole Pierre had good work records at
this facility. Elias Pierre’s three performance evaluation
forms showed ratings of ‘‘outstanding,’’ ‘‘satisfactory,’’ and
‘‘very good.’’ Nicole Pierre’s one performance evaluation
vas ‘‘very good.’’ Immacula Joseph’s one performance eval-
uation was ‘‘outstanding.’’ Martin Fokog also received a
written warning for refusing to do an assignment on Sep-
tember 20, 1987. He credibly testified that neither he nor
anyone else on September 20 refused an assignment or re-
fused to work. After he received his writeup Fokog went to
see a higher official in Respondent’s chain of command, i.e.,
Jay Begley, who did not testify but who was in the hearing
room as Respondent’s representative during this part of the
litigation. When Begley heard Fokog’s version of the events
of Sunday, September 20, 1987, he tore up the written warn-
ing given Fokog. Fokog is still employed at this facility.
It seems clear that Elias Pierre’s three warnings and dis-
charge, Nicole Pierre’s discharge, and Immacula Joseph’s
warning were all unlawful and the warnings were given and
the discharges executed because these three employees en-
gaged in protected concerted activity in complaining about
working short staffed. At no time did they engage in an un-
lawful strike or unlawful withholding of services. This dis-
cipline was violative of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
C. Information Request
The Union won the December 30, 1987 election and was
certified as the collective-bargaining representative of a unit
of service and maintenance employees on January 7, 1988.
Respondent filed objections to the election but in an un-
timely fashion according to the Regional Director for Region
1. Respondent appealed the Regional Director’s finding that
the objections were untimely filed. On February 3, 1988, the
Board concurred in the Regional Director’s decision that the
objections were untimely and that the certification of the
Union stood.
On January 22, 1988, the Union sent a letter to Respond-
ent which stated, in pertinent part, as follows:
We understand that Marie P. Louis and Carol Mardi
have been fired by East Village Nursing Home.
In accordance with our status as collective-bar-
gaining representative, the Union hereby requests the
following information:
—The dates of the dismissals;
—The reasons for the dismissals;
—Any documentation concerning their dismissal or
the reasons for their dismissal, including past warnings
that may have contributed to termination.
On February 29, 1988, the Union again made the same in-
formation request.
On March 17, 1988, the parties entered into a collective-
bargaining agreement which contains a grievance-arbitration
clause. Even prior to agreement being reached on a collec-
tive-bargaining agreement Respondent has an obligation to
meet on grievances. The information request set out above
is a virtual text book example of precisely the kind of infor-
mation necessary and relevant for a union in its performance
of its function as the exclusive representative for the unit,
i.e., the Union would need this information in order to deter-
mine what, if anything, they should do on behalf of the two
discharged women.
Respondent’s refusal and failure to turn over this informa-
tion violates Section 8(a)(5) of the Act.
XXVIII. RIDGEWOOD COURT NURSING HOME,
ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS; TRIAL ON APRIL 19, 1989;
CHARGING PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199 NE
A successful union organizing campaign was mounted by
the Union in August 1987. The Union won an election in
October 1987 and was certified by the Board as collective-
bargaining representative for a unit of service and mainte-
nance employees on October 9, 1987. The parties reached
agreement on a collective-bargaining agreement in March
1988.
The employee handbook contained the following rules:
2. SOLICITATION PROTECTION—In order to pro-
tect the employees from any form of solicitation, raf-
fles, charity drives, direct sale items, or the like, etc. it
is strictly prohibited for anyone to solicit employees or
residents.
280 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
2 This same language was in the handbook applicable to employ-
ees in Beverly’s Heritage Division. The Heritage Division merged
into the Eastern Division prior to this case being assigned to me in
August 1988. The Eastern Division subsequently merged into one of
Respondent’s now 11 regions. As Respondent represented on De-
cember 13, 1989, the last day of hearings in this case, there is no
longer any Heritage Division or Eastern Division in Beverly’s cor-
porate organization. These two subparagraphs of the Heritage Divi-
sion Handbook were separately alleged as violations of Sec. 8(a)(1)
of the Act on the theory that on their face they are illegal without
reference to how the subparagraphs may have been enforced. I agree
with respect to the first paragraph. It is a blanket prohibition on
union solicitation and as such it is unlawful. Republic Aviation
Corp., 324 U.S. 793, 803–804 fn. 10 (1945); NLRB v. Babcock &
Wilcox Co., 351 U.S. 105, 112 (1956). Its inclusion in the handbook
was a violation of Sec. 8(a)(1) of the Act.
The second paragraph is not unlawful on its face. Tri-County Med-
ical Center, 222 NLRB 1089 (1976). Absent disparate enforcement
of this rule, i.e., permitting access except for union activity, or put-
ting the rule into place solely to defeat a union organizing effort,
there is no violation of the Act.
4. EMPLOYEE NO-ACCESS RULE—Employees
are not permitted access to the interior of the facility
or outside work areas during their off duty hours. Any-
one awaiting transportation following their shift should
do so in the employee break area.2
During the union organizing campaign Respondent posted
the following rules in the facility:
Solicitation by an employee of another employee is
prohibited while either person is on working time.
Working time is all time when an employee’s duties re-
quire that he or she be engaged in work tasks, but does
not include an employee’s own time, such as meal peri-
ods, scheduled breaks, time before or after a shift, and
personal clean-up time. In addition, solicitation is pro-
hibited at all time in immediate patient-care areas.
Employees are not permitted access to the interior of
the facility or outside work areas during their off-duty
hours.
This notice was still posted at the time of the hearing in
this case.
It is alleged that the Respondent, acting through DON Jo-
seph Gelineau, violated Section 8(a)(1) of the Act on two oc-
casions in incidents with employee Linda Barac and on one
occasion in an incident with employee Alberta Paille.
Gelineau is no longer in Respondent’s employ. Although
served with a subpoena by Respondent he refused to testify.
Respondent did not seek enforcement of the subpoena but
asks that no adverse inference be drawn from Gelineau not
testifying. I draw no adverse inference from Gelineau’s ab-
sence.
Linda Barac was actively prounion and Respondent knew
it. Her name was on a mailgram sent in August 1987 to the
administrator of this facility advising the administrator that
she and 57 other employees wanted to be represented by the
Union. Prior to the election Respondent prepared a written
analysis of which employees they deemed prounion, against
the Union or undecided. Barac was listed by Respondent as
prounion. In addition, Barac was one of 11 employees on the
union negotiating committee and Respondent was informed
of this fact in writing on November 30, 1987.
Barac was a nurses aide. On December 16, 1987, she and
several other employees met at the home of an employee. A
matter of mutual concern to these employees was the behav-
ior of Dietary Supervisor Madeline Estrella, who they felt
was harassing the dietary aides under her by, among other
things, telling them they would get off from work for a holi-
day and then changing her mind and telling them they had
to work. Barac was not in Estrella’s department. A contract
had not as yet been entered into by the parties. It was agreed
at this meeting that Barac and another employee would talk
to Estrella and ask her not to harass the employees under
her.
They met with Estrella on December 18, 1987. Both Barac
and the other employee, Maria Coreas, had clocked out and
were on their own time. They asked Estrella if she was
aware of the Union and that she should stop harassing her
employees. Barac did the talking. She did not raise her voice.
On December 23, 1987, DON Gelineau asked Barac to
join him in the facility chapel where he ordered Barac not
to harass the supervisors and told her further that he didn’t
give a ‘‘fuck’’ what she did outside the building but she was
not to bring union messages into the building. He told her
further after she told him she had clocked out and was on
her own time that whenever she was in the building she was
on his time. Gelineau was upset. Gelineau violated Section
8(a)(1) of the Act by telling Barac that whenever she was
in the building she was on Respondent’s time and that she
was prohibited from bringing union messages into the build-
ing. I note that uncontradicted evidence at the hearing re-
flects that employees entered the building to pick up pay-
checks when not working, sold candy, girl scout cookies, ran
errands for residents while off-duty, etc.
On December 31, 1987, Barac spoke again with Gelineau
in his office. He was upset that Barac had spoken with an
inspector doing a state survey of the facility and went on to
ask Barac why did she join the Union, what did she expect
to get from the Union and how many members were still left
in the Union. This was unlawful interrogation in violation of
Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
On January 4, 1988, nurses aide Alberta Paille went to
speak to DON Gelineau about what she perceived as an un-
fair written warning give to Linda Barac by DON Gelineau
in late December 1987. The circumstances of Barac’s written
warning needn’t be discussed since Respondent, pursuant to
agreement with the Union, withdrew it from Barac’s file.
Gelineau was upset. He hollered at Paille, pointed his finger
at her, and told her that as far as he was concerned the
Union and she could go up in a puff of smoke. Paille was
upset and cried, Gelineau apologized to her. Gelineau’s state-
ment that as far as he was concerned the Union could go up
in a puff of smoke does not rise to the level of an implied
threat of loss of the Union and was not a violation of the
Act.
XXIX. TORRINGTON EXTEND-A-CARE NURSING HOME;
TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT; TRIAL ON APRIL 24 AND 25,
1989; CHARGING PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199 (FORMERLY
TORRINGTON EXTEND-A-CARE EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION)
A collective-bargaining agreement was entered into effec-
tive October 1, 1985, between the then owners of this facility
and the Torrington Extend-A-Care Employee Association.
Subsequent to agreement on this contract Beverly brought
281BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
this facility and on September 29, 1987, formally accepted
the contract as binding on it with some modifications.
It was agreed between Respondent and the Union that
there would be a wage reopener beginning on April 1, 1988.
Pursuant to mutual agreement the wage reopener was post-
poned to June 3, 1988. On April 25, 1988, the Union sent
Respondent a letter requesting raises for the employees it
represented. Respondent did not respond to this request. On
June 3, 1988, George Ulrich on behalf of Respondent said
the union request for raises was too expensive. Ulrich went
into a lengthy speech on the financial condition of Beverly
Enterprises. He said Beverly was not going under but was
having trouble staying afloat. He advised the Union that peo-
ple were being laid off nationwide. Further, that vice presi-
dents had been demoted. He gave the Union copies of sev-
eral newspaper articles, which portrayed Beverly Enterprises
as being in financial trouble, e.g., a report of a layoff of 100
people in the Virginia Beach, Virginia area alone, an article
saying that Beverly cites ‘‘large fund losses’’ and that Bev-
erly lost $33 million in 1987, a Wall Street Journal article
which quoted Beverly as citing ‘‘labor costs’’ as a cause of
its financial loss, an article that said Beverly proposed to sell
off possibly as much as 18 percent of its nursing home oper-
ations to lighten its heavy debt burden, an article telling
about a 1988 first half of the year loss for Beverly, Ulrich
also gave the Union a copy of a Beverly Enterprises press
release dated February 4, 1988, indicating a net loss for 1987
of over $30 million and a copy of a Beverly Enterprises
press release, dated April 21, 1988, reflecting a 1988 first
quarter net loss of $952,000. Ulrich went on to tell the Union
that virtually all of Beverly’s facilities were up for sale. He
stated that in light of Respondent’s financial condition he
was proposing a wage freeze. Ulrich painted a terribly bleak
picture although he never said that this particular facility lost
money.
On June 9, 1988, the Union, in light of Ulrich’s presen-
tation on June 3, 1988, made a written request for certain in-
formation. The Union requested:
(1) All documents filed with the Securities Exchange
Commission from October 1985 until the present con-
cerning Beverly Enterprises financial status;
(2) Copies of monthly cash flow/income and balance
sheet statements from October 1985 until the present;
(3) Copies of monthly cash flow/income and balance
sheet statements from October 1985 until the present
for Torrington Extend-A-Care;
(4) Copies of monthly cash flow/income and balance
sheet statements from October 1985 until the present
for the other eight Beverly Enterprises owned homes in
Connecticut;
(5) Copies of the amount TEAC spends monthly on
‘‘pool nurses’’ from October 1985 until the present,
broken down by agency and hourly rate and fee.
With respect to item 5 Administrator Chris Smith had
promised to turn this information over at the June 3, 1988
meeting. TEAC refers to Torrington Extend-A-Care.
Ulrich told the Union in a phone conversation on June 6,
1988, with Ruth Pulda, an attorney representing the Union,
after she told him what the Union would be requesting that
they were not entitled to the financial information they were
requesting because Respondent was not claiming inability to
pay. The Union conceded that Ulrich never specifically said
that Respondent was unable to pay, i.e., the so-called magic
words were not used, but the thrust of what Ulrich said on
June 3, 1988, was clearly the functional equivalent of claim-
ing inability to pay. Ulrich painted a picture of needing a
wage freeze not to stay competitive but to stay afloat.
On June 17, 1988, the parties met again. The Union for-
mally rejected the proposal of a wage freeze and persisted
in its June 9, 1988 financial information request. I note that
the Union represented a single unit of service and mainte-
nance employees as well as registered nurses and LPNs.
With respect to item 5, I note that ‘‘pool nurses’’ are nurses
hired from outside agencies on an as-needed basis. Their pay
is substantially higher than that of nurses who are regular
employees of the facility. Needless to say if regular nurse
employees got a raise and didn’t quit the facility might not
need as many nurses from an agency and a raise to regular
employees might reduce rather than raise labor costs.
Ulrich again claimed that Respondent was not claiming in-
ability to pay and, therefore, was under no obligation to turn
over the financial data requested by the Union.
The parties met again on June 30, 1988. At this time
Ulrich proposed a modest wage increase. The parties were
very far apart with the Union asking $1.40-an-hour raise to
licensed personnel and 95 cents an hour for everyone else
and Respondent proposing 20- and 15-cent-an-hour raise, re-
spectively. Ulrich persisted in his claim that the Union was
not entitled to the financial data it requested in writing on
June 9, 1988. He suggested that the Union speak to Beverly
officials over him.
The wage reopener clause called for interest arbitration,
i.e., if the parties couldn’t agree on the wage raise than a
mutually agreed upon arbitrator would. The arbitration was
set for September 20, 1988. The arbitrator heard the case but
the parties agreed to ignore his award because they had
reached a new contract on their own to replace the agreement
which ran from October 1, 1985, to September 30, 1988. Re-
spondent never did turn over the information requested on
June 9, 1988. On September 30, 1988, the Union became af-
filiated with District 1199 NE.
Between the June 30, 1988 meeting and the parties arriv-
ing at a contract in September 1988 Attorney Daniel Living-
ston replaced Ruth Pulda for the Union. Livingston spoke in
early July 1988 and in August 1988 with an attorney rep-
resenting Respondent named Howard Blum. Although Blum
indicated that some of the data the Union requested would
be turned over it is stipulated by Respondent that it never did
turn over any of the information requested.
It seems clear that Respondent, through Ulrich, was plead-
ing the functional equivalent of inability to pay, when he
said to the Union that Respondent was having tough finan-
cial times and presented press releases and newspaper arti-
cles stating that Beverly was in serious financial trouble. In
light of this the Union’s written request for financial infor-
mation was appropriate and Respondent violated Section
8(a)(5) when it failed and refused to turn the information
over to the Union. NLRB v. Truitt Mfg. Co., 351 U.S. 149
(1956). However, since the parties reached agreement on a
new contract I will not order as a remedy that this data now
be turned over to the Union.
282 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
XXX. POND POINT CONVALESCENT HOME, GILFORD,
CONNECTICUT; TRIAL ON APRIL 25 AND 26, 1989;
CHARGING PARTY IS DISTRICT 1199 NE
Beverly purchased this facility in 1986. The prior owners
had a collective-bargaining relationship with the Union. Bev-
erly and the Union entered into a new collective-bargaining
agreement effective October 1, 1988, to October 1, 1989.
A. Threat of Discharge by Food Service Supervisor
Nathan Hairston
Nathan Hairston ran the kitchen at this facility. The night
cook in July and August 1988 was named Eugene Metzer,
who was referred to in this litigation as Gene the cook. Die-
tary aides Vicky Buker and Lisa Billings and other dietary
aides complained among themselves about Gene the cook.
They felt that Gene the cook was sexually harassing them,
e.g., making comments that women weren’t any good for
anything, commenting on the aides’ figures, and commenting
on Buker’s undergarments.
A number of aides who worked evenings decided to bring
these complaints to the attention of Kathy Pronovost, a
nurses aide, who was a union delegate.
On August 8, 1988, around 6 or 6:30 p.m. three dietary
aides, Vicky Buker, Lisa Billings, and Sharon Smith, who
were on break, went upstairs to see Pronovost, who was the
only union delegate working at that hour. They expressed
their complaints about Gene the cook to Pronovost.
Pronovost called over dietary tech Coleen Austin and
Pronovost told Austin that she should listen to what the aides
had to say. The aides expressed their complaints about Gene
the cook to Austin. Austin, who is not in the bargaining unit,
said she would let Nathan Hairston know of their concerns.
The next day, August 9, 1988, Austin told Hairston about
the complaints of the aides as voiced to her and union dele-
gate Pronovost. Hairston told Austin that he had previously
received similar complaints about Gene the cook. Later that
day Hairston encountered aides Vicky Buker and Lisa Bil-
lings. He was furious. He told the women that they had gone
over his head in complaining upstairs about Gene the cook
and should have come to him instead. He told them that if
they went over his head again they would be fired. In this
conversation Hairston yelled at Buker and Billings.
Obviously, Buker, Smith, and Billings were engaged in
protected concerted activity when they confered with
Pronovost and Austin. Hairston’s threat that they would be
fired if they did it again was an unlawful threat in violation
of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act. Polatch Corp., 236 NLRB 707
(1978).
I find Buker and Billings to be very credible. They were
corroborated in significant details by Pronovost and Austin,
e.g., Pronovost and Austin corroborate that the women did
complain about Gene the cook on August 8, 1988, and Aus-
tin, who was a witness for Respondent, testified that she saw
and heard Hairston yelling at Buker and Billings on August
9, 1988, but could not make out what words he was saying.
Although Hairston was fired by Respondent in November
1988 and may have no love for Respondent, I nevertheless
find him unworthy of belief as a witness and, therefore, dis-
credit his denials that he ever threatened the women with dis-
charge. Eugene Metzer, i.e., Gene the cook, who also is no
longer in Respondent’s employ did not testify.
B. Discharge of Vicky Buker
Dietary aide Vicky Buker was discharged on August 10,
1988, the day after she and Lisa Billings were threatened
with discharge by Hairston. (See sec. A, above). After Hair-
ston threatened Billings and Buker with discharge for going
over his head and making a complaint to union delegate
Pronovost, Buker called Pronovost, and told her what hap-
pened. The next day Pronovost confronted Hairston to com-
plain about what he had said to Buker and Billings.
Pronovost and Hairston argued.
Later that same day, August 10, 1988, Hairston told Buker
that he had warned her about talking to Pronovost and going
over his head and that she was fired. I credit Buker. She im-
pressed me as an honest woman. Accordingly, I conclude
that the discharge of Buker was in violation of Section
8(a)(3) of the Act.
I don’t credit Hairston who claims he fired Buker because
of her work performance, e.g., she sometimes didn’t wear a
hairnet and didn’t cooperate with her fellow employees in
getting the job done or working overtime. Hairston claimed
further that other dietary aides complained to him about
Buker. I don’t believe him. There was no written record
whatsoever in Respondent’s files that addressed defects in
Buker’s job performance. No poor performance evaluations.
No warnings. Nothing.
When one considers the chronology of what happened it
is clear that Buker was discharged because of her protected
concerted activity of complaining with others to a union del-
egate and seeking appropriate action about a condition of her
employment, namely, that she and others were being sub-
jected to sexual harassment. Even though Buker was a proba-
tionary employee and as such could not avail herself of the
grievance-arbitration clause of the contract, she is nonethe-
less protected from being fired for an illegal reason as she
was here.
C. Threatening Employees with a Lawsuit
On June 3 and 24, 1987, long before the incidents involv-
ing Gene the cook and the discharge of Vicky Buker, the
Union engaged in informational picketing at the facility. The
complaints of the Union were many and were recorded in an
open letter to Administrator Jordan Shapiro and handed out
to the press who covered the picketing. A big complaint was
that major construction being done at the facility was haz-
ardous to residents and employees because of toxic fumes,
etc., caused by the construction work.
In the open letter, which was given to the press, Adminis-
trator Shapiro was, among other things, referred to as a rac-
ist, e.g., the letter was addressed to ‘‘Mr. Shapiro and Bev-
erly Corporation’’ and the letter stated that the workers re-
fused to accept ‘‘your racist . . . attitude.’’ It went on to
claim that racist remarks had been made to union delegate
Jeannie Blake and about Union Secretary-Treasurer Carmen
Boudier. Toward the end of the open letter it stated ‘‘we are
not going back to slavery.’’
The letter was signed by 32 employees. Neither Kathy
Pronovost nor Barbara Stoltman, a union delegate who was
an employee of Respondent on union leave of absence,
signed the letter. However, in newspaper articles, about the
picketing, Kathy Pronovost was described as spokeswoman
for the group of demonstrators and Stoltman admitted at the
283BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
hearing that she helped draft the open letter referred to above
and she was also described in the press as being present dur-
ing picketing when the letter was distributed.
Administrator Shapiro testified that he was very upset
about being called a racist. He claims he received many in-
quires from friends, family, and business associates as to
why he would be called a racist. He even claims that being
called a racist interfered with he and his wife being able to
start a family. He didn’t elaborate on this last point. Suffice
it to say his wife had given birth to a healthy child by the
time of the hearing. In any event, Shapiro consulted counsel
and paid a $75 fee for a Connecticut lawyer to write separate
letters to Kathy Pronovost and Barbara Stoltman demanding
that they retract their statements referring to him as a racist
or be sued for defamation.
Shapiro was told by his superiors that Beverly would not
support any law suit, although Beverly did reimburse Shapiro
for the $75 he paid for the retraction letters counsel sent to
Pronovost and Stoltman. Pronovost and Stoltman never sent
letters of retraction and claim they never personally referred
to Shapiro as a racist. Shapiro never did file a law suit and
at a meeting between the Union and Respondent the Union
was informed that Respondent did not support the law suit
and had nothing to do with the threat of a law suit.
Shapiro was not without reason to believe he was defamed
by these two women and had a meritorious law suit and he
acted, I believe, in good faith in causing the letters to be
sent. Bill Johnson’s Restaurants v. NLRB, 461 U.S. 731
(1983) There was no evidence at the hearing that he was a
racist and, therefore, the referral to him as a racist was a low
blow.
Considering all the circumstances, in particular, that no
law suit was ever filed and that Shapiro went to the law firm
on his own after his superiors told him Beverly would not
join in the suit, I do not find any violation of the Act when
Pronovost and Stoltman were threatened with a law suit.
XXXI. GOLDEN RULE NURSING HOME, RICHMOND,
INDIANA; TRIAL ON A 22, 1989; CHARGING PARTY
IS UFC 917
The Union was certified as collective-bargaining represent-
ative for a service and maintenance unit at this facility in
May 1984. A first contract between the parties expired on
March 31, 1987. The parties were negotiating for a successor
collective-bargaining agreement when it is alleged that Direc-
tor of Nursing Joyce Kidd violated Section 8(a)(1) of the Act
in statements to employees represented by the Union.
Union steward and nurses aide Gloria Gray was in DON
Kidd’s office in late May 1987. Kidd asked Gray, who as
a member of the union negotiating team attended negotiating
sessions, how the negotiations were going. When Gray re-
plied that everything was agreed to but wages Kidd stated to
Gray that if the Union was not there the employees would
get a 20-cent-an-hour raise. It is a clear-cut violation of the
Act for management to tell an employee that because the em-
ployees were represented by a union they would not get a
raise. Kidd’s statement was a violation of Section 8(a)(1) of
the Act.
Gloria Gray thereafter told her fellow union delegate
Cathy Wilson what Kidd said to her.
Respondent owned another facility in Richmond, Indiana,
i.e., Oak Ridge, whose employees were nonunion and these
employees had recently received a 20-cent-an-hour raise.
Cathy Wilson, also a union delegate and member of the
union negotiating team, shortly thereafter, spoke with DON
Kidd. Wilson went to see Kidd about changing her vacation
and told Kidd that no contract had been agreed to as yet but
that she wanted her raise which was due on her anniversary
date. Kidd told Wilson that there would be no raises because
of the presence of the Union. Kidd went on to ask Wilson
what good was the Union. Wilson asked why did Oak Ridge
employees get the raise and not the employees at this facility
and Kidd said because the employees at Oak Ridge were non
union. DON Ridd’s statement to Wilson violates Section
8(a)(1) of the Act since Kidd is telling Wilson that because
the employees selected a union there would be no raise but
you would get a raise if there was no union at the facility.
In or about this same time, DON Kidd also spoke to
nurses aide Sharon Thomas, who is not a union delegate.
Kidd volunteered to Thomas that the employees at Oak
Ridge had gotten a 20-cent-an-hour raise and that if there
was no union at Golden Rule its employees, to include
Smith, would get a similar raise. This is a clear invitation to
an employee to decertify the Union and is a violation of Sec-
tion 8(a)(1) of the Act. This conversation took place in the
breakroom at the facility.
I find violations of the Act because I found Gloria Gray,
Cathy Wilson, and Sharon Thomas to be credible witnesses.
Gray and Wilson still work at the facility. They had no mo-
tive to fabricate. Smith, who quit Respondent’s employ prior
to the hearing, was also credible. Kidd’s statements to the
three women were violations of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act.
Keister Coal Co., 247 NLRB 375 (1980).
I note that during the negotiations and before Kidd’s state-
ments that the Union and Respondent had agreed to make
any raise they agreed to retroactive to the termination of the
prior contract. This does not mean, however, that Kidd’s
statements that there would be no raise because the employ-
ees were unionized were lawful. These statements were
threatening.
Joyce Kidd testified that employees did ask her about their
raises on their anniversary date but she doesn’t recall who
asked her. She would routinely answer no raise until a con-
tract is agreed to by Respondent and the Union. She claims
she never said no raise because of the Union. When asked
by employees (whose names she can’t remember) why em-
ployees at Oak Ridge got a raise and not them Kidd con-
cedes she said because no contract and we will abide by the
contract whether that means that any raise to employees at
this facility would be the same, more, or less than the raise
employees at Oak Ridge received and, she added, that being
nonunion the employees at Oak Ridge did not have to wait
for their raises. I found Joyce Kidd’s testimony to be less
than totaly reliable. She did not have a clear recollection of
what was said compared to Gray, Wilson, and Thomas and
I credit those three women over Kidd.
XXXII. BELLEVILLE NURSING HOME, BELLEVILLE,
ILLINOIS; TRIAL ON MAY 15 AND 16, 1989; CHARGING
PARTY IS MALCOM CAMPBELL
This facility was no longer owned by Beverly at the time
of the hearing. Heather Good Workers 161 successfully orga-
284 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
nized this facility in the summer of 1987. The Union won
an election held on August 7, 1987. Negotiations began in
October 1987 for a collective-bargaining agreement. Agree-
ment was reached sometime in May or June 1988.
It is alleged that Respondent violated the Act when it un-
lawfully issued a disciplinary reprimand to employee
Malcom Campbell on November 2, 1987, for alleged mis-
conduct on October 30, 1987. The discipline of Campbell oc-
curred subsequent to union certification but prior to a collec-
tive-bargaining agreement being reached and at a time when
the parties were negotiating for a first contract. Obviously
Respondent still owned the facility at the time.
Malcom Campbell was very prounion. He was a member
of the union negotiating team along with four other employ-
ees. During negotiations the Union told Respondent’s negoti-
ating team, Abe Emery, from Atlanta, Georgia, Facility Ad-
ministrator John Siliter, and Siliter’s assistant, a Ms. Frank-
lin, that the five employees on the negotiating committee
would handle complaints at the facility and that Malcom
Campbell would be acting as chief steward. This took place
prior to Campbell being disciplined.
Campbell, who worked at the facility from May 1981 until
December 1988 when he voluntarily quit, was a nursing as-
sistant. In 1984 and 1986 he was actively prounion during
two prior union organizing campaigns where the Union had
not been successful in organizing the employees. In the elec-
tion, which the Union won in August 1987, he was the union
observer.
On October 30, 1987, there was a mandatory meeting of
employees presided over by Administrator John Siliter and
Director of Nursing Nancy Schmook. Siliter was upset. Some
drug paraphernalia (a burnt spoon and syringe) and an empty
beer can had been found on the facility property. Siliter said
some people are good and some are bad and if bad get out
of the facility. Employee Thelma Sheard was laughing as
Siliter spoke and he yelled at her to get out. When she hesi-
tated and asked what would happen if she didn’t leave he
yelled at her to get out or she would be suspended. She left.
After Siliter and Schmook had spoken and the meeting was
about to end Malcom Campbell asked if he could say some-
thing. He was given permission to speak by Siliter. Campbell
said to Siliter, in the presence of a large number of employ-
ees, that Siliter had embarrassed the employees and owed
them an apology. It was apparent that Siliter was suggesting
that one of the employees was responsible for the empty beer
can and the drug paraphernalia. Siliter told him to shutup and
if he had a complaint to make it in Siliter’s office and not
at this meeting. Campbell persisted in asking for an apology.
The two men started walking toward one another but not in
a threatening or menacing manner. Siliter is approximately 5
feet 10 inches tall and weighed 160 pounds whereas Camp-
bell is 6 feet tall and weighed 285 pounds—a classic mis-
match. As they walked toward one another Siliter kept telling
Campbell to shut up and that he would speak to him in his
office. Siliter said I’m going to count to five and Campbell
held up his hand and said he’s my five and ‘‘high fived’’
the administrator. This incident took place at the end of the
meeting. Siliter and Campbell left together to go to Siliter’s
office after Campbell said he’d go to Siliter’s office but still
felt an apology was due. They passed Thelma Sheard en
route and Campbell asked her to join them. In the office
Campbell again asked for an apology and Sheard asked if
she was suspended. Siliter said she was not suspended and
that Campbell would not be disciplined but had nothing else
to say and the meeting ended.
Campbell went home that night and prepared a petition.
The petition criticized Administrator Siliter for his ‘‘verbal
attack’’ on Thelma Sheard and his conduct toward the other
employees and demanded an apology. On his off-duty hours
on Saturday, October 31, 1987, Campbell went to the facility
to get employees to sign the petition. He did not try to hide
what he was doing. He was observed circulating the petition
by Supervisors Darlene Ervin and Joan Garven in the facility
dining room. Neither Garven nor Ervin testified. Campbell
collected 25 signatures on the petition on Saturday, October
31, 1987, and another 11 signatures on Monday, November
2, 1987.
On Monday, November 2, 1987, at approximately 2:30
p.m., after Campbell had been at work for over 6 hours,
Campbell was called to the front office along with Thelma
Sheard. Both Campbell and Sheard had signed the petition,
which Campbell had circulated. Sheard was suspended.
There is no allegation in the complaint that Sheard was un-
lawfully disciplined. Campbell was given a written warning
signed by DON Schmook and approved by Administrator
Siliter for insubordination for his behavior at the October 30,
1987 mandatory meeting described above. Administrator
Siliter and DON Schmook were present when Campbell re-
ceived his written warning. According to Campbell, Siliter
and Schmook said they did not know anything about the pe-
tition he circulated when he asked them about it but there
was no direct evidence that they did not know of the petition
because neither Siliter nor Schmook testified at the hearing,
both having left Respondent’s employ by the time of the
hearing.
The issue in this case is what was the motivation of Re-
spondent when it issued the written warning to Campbell.
Was it done because Responent thought he was insubordi-
nate? Or was it done because of his union activity and be-
cause he engaged in protected concerted activity. As noted
above, Campbell was acting as a chief steward and Respond-
ent knew it when he asked on October 30, 1987, for an apol-
ogy from the administrator who had yelled at employee Thel-
ma Sheard and accused the employees of being responsible
for the presence of the drug paraphernalia and the empty
beer can found on facility property. I credit Campbell who
testified that after the mandatory meeting when he met with
Siliter in Siliter’s office that Siliter said that neither Camp-
bell nor Sheard would be disciplined for their behavior at the
mandatory meeting just concluded. Something changed
Siliter’s mind between the afternoon of October 30, 1987 (a
Friday), and the afternoon of November 2, 1987 (a Monday).
What caused Siliter to change his mind, I conclude, was the
fact that Campbell prepared and circulated a petition at the
facility on October 31, 1987 (a Saturday), and on November
2, 1987 (a Monday). If Siliter had decided to discipline
Campbell for Campbell’s behavior at the October 30, 1987
mandatory meeting why didn’t he do so prior to 2:30 p.m.
on Monday, November 2, 1987, 3 days after the incident and
toward the end of the work day on November 2, 1987, for
Campbell, who worked the 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift.
It seems clear since I credit Campbell, who impressed me
as an honest man, that since Siliter told Campbell he would
not be disciplined for his conduct on October 30, 1987, and
285BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
since Campbell was nevertheless disciplined but only after he
circulated the petition, clearly a protected concerted activity,
that Campbell was disciplined for circulating the petition and
collecting the signatures of over 35 employees. The issuance
by Respondent of the written warning to Malcom Campbell,
under these circumstances, was a violation of Section 8(a)(1)
and (3) of the Act.
XXXIII. RIDGEVIEW MANOR NURSING HOME, MALDEN,
MISSOURI; TRIAL ON MAY 16, 17, AND 18, 1989;
CHARGING PARTY IS CWA
The Union tried unsuccessfully to organize this facility in
1986. It returned in 1987 to try again. The employee who
called the Union in to try again to organize the facility was
Shirley Niswonger. An election was held on July 10, 1987.
The Union lost the election. It is alleged that Respondent
violated the Act when, on July 8, 1987, 2 days before the
election, it removed employee Charisse Bryant, who was on
a leave of absence and who was to be the union observer
at the election, from her job as a dietary assistant and, in ad-
dition, it is alleged that Respondent violated the Act when
it discharged Shirley Niswonger on December 31, 1987.
A. Removal of Charisse Bryant from her Job
Charisse Bryant, married and the mother of two, was a di-
etary aide. In 1987 she signed a union authorization card, at-
tended several union meeting, told at least 10 fellow employ-
ees that she was prounion, to include Linda Earhart, a close
friend of Dietary Supervisor Norma Williams, and she was
selected in late June 1987 to serve as the union observer for
the July 10, 1987 election.
On June 10, 1987, Bryant went to see Dietary Supervisor
Norma Williams. Bryant wanted to take a 30-day leave of
absence for personal reasons. Williams initially said no but
then contacted Administrator Toni Robinson. Robinson au-
thorized the leave of absence. On June 10, 1987, Bryant
signed a preprinted form requesting a leave of absence from
June 15 to July 14, 1987. Bryant told Robinson that she felt
bad about taking the leave of absence and said that if they
needed her they should call her and she would come back
to work. Neither Williams nor Robinson told Bryant that if
her job was filled by a replacement while she was on her
leave of absence that she might not get her job back right
away but only if and when there was an opening for a job
she was qualified to perform. There is nothing on the
preprinted form which Bryant signed requesting the leave of
absence which in any way suggests that she might lose her
job during her leave of absence.
In addition, there is nothing in the four-page brochure list-
ing employee benefits which suggests an employee may not
get his or her job back when his or her leave of absence ter-
minates. The brochure states:
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Full-time employees who have completed their pro-
bationary period may be granted a personal leave with-
out pay for up to thirty (30) days for justifiable reasons.
A leave of absence must be requested in writing and
approved by your Supervisor, Department Head, and
Administrator.
Medical leaves without pay may be granted to full-
time employees who have completed their probationary
period up to a maximum of six (6) months. Medical
leaves must be renewed each thirty (30) days by a phy-
sician’s statement certifying continued disability. You
may at anytime be requested to see the Company doc-
tor.
A physician’s release statement must be presented
before returning to work.
During any leave of absence, benefits will not be ac-
cumulated: however, you may continue your insurance
coverage by personal payment of monthly premiums
during the approved leave.
However, in the 31-page Employee Handbook there is
such a provision if and only if three sections are read to-
gether. The handbook provides
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Full-time and Regular Part-Time Non Introductory em-
ployees who must be away from work for seven (7)
consecutive calendar days or longer, and who plan to
return to work may request a Leave of Absence. Re-
quests must be made on a LEAVE OF ABSENCE Re-
quest Form obtained your Supervisor or Administrator
and should be submitted to your supervisor as far in ad-
vance as practical. Where an emergency exists, Leave
of Absence requests may be made by phone, however,
a written request must be completed and submitted as
soon as possible.
PERSONAL LEAVES
Requests for a PERSONAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE
must also be made in writing on a LEAVE OF AB-
SENCE request form submitted and approved by your
Supervisor and Administrator. Request for a PER-
SONAL LEAVE must be for compelling and justifiably
necessary reasons. A PERSONAL LEAVE may be
granted for up to a maximum of 30 days.
JOB ASSIGNMENT UPON RETURN
Upon returning from a leave of absence, an employee
should report to their administrator. If an employee’s
position has been filled during the leave of absence, the
administrator will determine if there are any jobs avail-
able for which the employee is qualified to perform. If
no position exists, the employee will be given reason-
able consideration for placement in future job openings
for which they are qualified. The employee returning
from a leave of absence is not guaranteed a position,
except where state law requires otherwise.
Although Bryant acknowledged in writing that she re-
ceived the Employee Handbook on December 30, 1985, she
had no memory of it nor had she read it. The handbook Bry-
ant received in 1985 was changed in April 1987 but the pro-
visions cited above are the same in both Employee Hand-
books.
On June 28, 1987, Bryant came into the facility to pick
up her vacation check. She asked Lisa Pressley in the front
office to tell Norma Williams who was unavailable at that
time to call her because she would be coming back to work
286 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
soon. Williams never called her and claims she never got the
message.
On July 8, 1987, Bryant went to the facility and was told
first by Williams and then by Administrator Robinson that
she had been replaced during her leave of absence and there
was no job to which she could return when her leave of ab-
sence expired.
Bryant was prounion but if there is no evidence that Re-
spondent knew it then it would be impossible to conclude
that they replaced her for the reason. Both Robinson and
Williams claims that they didn’t know Bryant was actively
prounion. While there is no direct evidence that they did
know I infer from all the evidence that they did know of
Bryant’s protected concerted activity. There were 68 eligible
voters and Bryant, whom I found very believable, testified
she told at least 10 of those voters that she was prounion.
One of the 10 was Linda Earhart, who is a close friend of
Williams. In late June 1987 Bryant was selected by the
Union to be the only union observer for the election. It is
not reasonable to conclude that Williams and Robinson did
not know of Bryant’s prounion stance. Respondent mounted
a campaign against unionization and had two people come in
from outside to help in the campaign against the Union.
I note that Bryant was a good employee. In March 1987,
just 4 months earlier, she was selected as the facility’s em-
ployee of the month. Her performance ratings were good.
Bryant took a prior leave of absence in 1986 and returned
to her job after the leave of absence without difficulty. Dur-
ing her latest leave of absence (June 15 to July 14, 1987)
Respondent hired two new employees and hired a third em-
ployee after Bryant was told she had been replaced. I credit
Bryant that she told Robinson to call her if she was needed
during her leave of absence and I credit Bryant that on June
28, 1987, she asked Lisa Pressley to have Williams call her
about returning.
Further, employees Dorothy Brown took a leave of ab-
sence from May 25 to June 28, 1987, and returned to work
without difficulty as did other employees, e.g., Linda Earhart
and Karen Morgan.
On August 26, 1987, Robinson offered a job as a nurses
aide to Bryant. Bryant turned it down.
When Bryant filled out and signed the leave of absence re-
quest on June 10, 1987, it was incumbent on Respondent to
inform her that she might not get her job back on July 14,
1987. The failure of either Williams or Robinson to do so
I attribute to their belief that when Bryant’s leave of absence
expired she would get her job back. I conclude in light of
all the evidence and reasonable inferences therefrom that
when Williams and Robinson learned that Bryant was as ac-
tive for the Union as she was they told her she had been re-
placed in her old job and no other job was available. Accord-
ingly, Respondent violated Section 8(a)(1) and (3) of the Act.
The remedy should be backpay for the period of July 8 to
August 26, 1987, when Bryant was offered another position
with Respondent and turned it down.
B. Discharge of Shirley Niswonger
Shirley Niswonger was the employee who asked the Union
in 1987 to try again to organize the facility after its unsuc-
cessful 1986 attempt to do so.
Among other things Niswonger, a night cook in the dietary
department, wore a union button at work for the 3 or 4
weeks immediately prior to the July 10, 1987 election, which
the Union lost. Administrator Toni Robinson and Dietary Su-
pervisor Norma Williams both admit that they knew that
Niswonger was prounion.
On December 31, 1987, Niswonger was discharged for 3
straight days of no-call no show, i.e., Niswonger failed to
show up for work on December 28, 29, and 30, 1987, and
did not call to say she could not make it in due to illness
or some other reason. The facts of this case are extraor-
dinary. A review of those facts establish beyond all doubt,
and not just by a preponderance of the evidence, which is
all that is necessary, that Niswonger’s discharge was an out-
rage and in violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act. The real
reason for Niswonger’s discharge was her prounion posture.
She was the key employee for the Union in the 1987 cam-
paign. It is apparent Respondent did not want her around for
a possible 1988 or 1989 campaign.
On December 21, 1987, Niswonger paid a medical visit to
a Dr. Gaston because her family phyisican, Dr. Garner, was
unavailable. Dr. Gaston diagnosed Niswonger’s condition as
‘‘near pneunomia.’’ He gave her a doctor’s note which stat-
ed, in part, ‘‘Near Pneumonia. Return to work maybe in a
week.’’ Niswonger had her daughter, Brenda Pettypool, take
the doctor’s note into her place of employment. Pettypool did
so. Pettypool did volunteer work at this facility and was
known by the management at the facility.
The next day, December 22, Niswonger was still ill. She
was not scheduled to work that day. On December 23, 1987,
Niswanger, still ill, went to see Dr. Turner at the Kneibart
clinic. He ordered an X-ray and, thereafter, diagnosed
Niswonger as having pneunomia. He put her in the hospital.
Niswonger asked Dr. Turner to inform her place of employ-
ment what her condition was and Dr. Turner said he’d take
care of it.
On December 23, 1987, Shirley Niswonger entered the
hospital. She asked another daughter, Ethel Niswonger, to go
to the facility and pick up her pay check. Because some
nurses at the hospital had told Niswonger she could expect
to be hospitalized for 7 to 10 days Niswanger told her
daughter, Ethel, to tell her employer that she, Shirley, would
be in the hospital for 7 to 10 days.
On Christmas Eve, December 24, 1987, Ethel went to the
facility to pick up her mother’s check. She spoke with Ad-
ministrator Toni Robinson. Ethel told Robinson that her
mother had pneumonia and would be in the hospital for 7
to 10 days. Robinson told Loretta Sue Maddox to make sure
the facility sent flowers to Niswonger. I credit Ethel that she
told Robinson that her mother would be in the hospital for
7 to 10 days although Robinson claims Ethel never said that
and Loretta Sue Maddox, who testified for the General
Counsel, doesn’t remember Ethel saying that either. Whether
she said it or not Robinson was on notice on Christmas Eve
that Niswonger was in the hospital with pneumonia.
Niswonger received flowers in her hospital room later on
Christmas Eve from the facility.
On, Sunday, December 27, 1987, Niswonger was released
from the hospital into the care of her family physician, Dr.
Garner. Her release from the hospital like all admittances and
releases was reported in the local newspaper. Dr. Garner told
Niswonger not to go to work until January 8, 1988, and after
he had seen another X-ray.
287BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
On, Thursday, December 31, 1987, Niswonger went into
the facility to present the note from Dr. Garner which ad-
vised that Niswonger should not return to work until January
8, 1988, Niswonger was told by Norma Williams that she
was fired for no show, no call on December 28, 29, and 30,
1987, which were dates she was scheduled to work. Toni
Robinson was not at the facility on December 31, 1987, but
when she returned on January 2, 1988, Niswonger spoke to
her and Robinson reiterated what Williams had said as to
why Niswonger was fired.
Robinson testified that she relied on the December 21,
1987 doctor’s note which said that Niswonger had ‘‘near
pneumonia’’ and could ‘‘return to work in maybe one week’’
to mean that Niswonger had to be at work on December 28,
1987. Of course, after receiving the December 21, 1987 doc-
tor’s note, Robinson learned from Ethel Niswonger that her
mother was in the hospital and had pneumonia and not near
pneumonia. Robinson saw in the newspaper that Niswonger
had been released from the hospital on December 27, 1987.
Did Robinson honestly believe patients go from the hospital
directly to work. Obviously not. Respondent’s horrible treat-
ment of Niswonger can only be attributed to Niswonger’s
prounion status and Niswonger was discharged for that rea-
son. There is no evidence that Respondent so much as tried
to call Niswonger or one of her daughters on December 28,
29, and 30 to see how Niswonger was doing.
Considering all the facts I must and do conclude that Re-
spondent discharged Shirley Niswonger in violation of Sec-
tion 8(a)(1) and (3) of the Act.
XXXIV. SYCAMORE VILLAGE NURSING HOME, KOKOMO,
INDIANA; TRIAL ON MAY 24 AND 25, 1989; CHARGING
PARTY IS UFCW 917
There was a union organizing campaign at this facility be-
ginning sometime in May 1987 and ending on July 10, 1987,
when the Union won an election to represent a unit of serv-
ice and maintenance employees, which unit included nurses
aides. It is alleged that two nurses aides, Janet Glenn and
Debra Wiley, were unlawfully discharged on June 30, 1987,
because they concertedly complained about working condi-
tions and because of their union activity and it is further al-
leged that nurses aide Maggie Roger was discharged on July
2, 1987, because of her support for the Union.
After charges were filed an informal settlement agreement
was reached between the Union and Respondent, who had
agreed to a collective-bargaining agreement. The informal
settlement provided that this case be settled with the three
women resigning effective the date of their discharges, each
of the three women receiving so-called neutral job rec-
ommendations and Janet Glenn and Debra Wiley each re-
ceiving $1000. Roper would get no money. The General
Counsel opposed the settlement and the three women, after
initially signing off on the agreement, expressed severe mis-
givings about it. I disapproved the settlement agreement.
A. Discharge of Janet Glenn and Debra Riley
Janet Glenn began her employment with Respondent in
December 1986. Prior to her suspension and discharge in
June 1987 she had never been disciplined by Respondent.
she was rated as a ‘‘good’’ employee on her last perform-
ance evaluation.
Debra Wiley began her employment with Respondent in
April 1985. Prior to her suspension and discharge in June
1987 she had been disciplined on four occasions for, among
other things, insubordination and disrespect to authority.
Both Glenn and Wiley signed union authorization cards
and attended union meetings. Glenn was not at work for a
portion of May and June 1987 because her son was seriously
ill. Glenn had told registered nurse Rosemary Joseph she was
prounion. Both Glenn and Wiley spoke out in favor of the
union at work. Administrator Jean Wanders claims that she
didn’t know that Glenn and Wiley were prounion. I didn’t
believe her. There were only 64 eligible voters, i.e., a small
shop, and I infer that Wanders did know they were prounion.
The DON at this facility in June 1987 was Jan Riley. Ril-
ey’s daughter, Karen Rude, was a nurses aide. On June 23,
1987, Glenn was asked by LPN Barbara Dorsey to distribute
breakfast trays. This was a job that Glenn felt that Karen
Rude should have done. She told this to Dorsey who said
that Rude wasn’t available right then and Dorsey again asked
Glenn to distribute the trays. Glenn did so. Glenn and Wiley
thought that Karen Rude, the DON’s daughter, was not car-
rying her load at work.
Later that morning, June 23, 1987, RN Rosemary Joseph
asked Glenn how everything was going and both Glenn and
Wiley spoke with Joseph. Glenn did the talking but together
they conveyed to RN Rosemary Joseph their displeasure with
Karen Rude, e.g., Glenn and Wiley complained that they had
to do Rude’s work, etc. Joseph asked them, Glenn and
Wiley, to come into a patient’s room to help her prop up a
patient in a bed who was in a near coma condition. They did
so.
Glenn’s and Wiley’s version of the encounter with Joseph
was radically different from Joseph’s version of what oc-
curred. According to Joseph she was called to a patient’s
room by either Glenn or Wiley (she couldn’t remember
which one), as she got to the door she was pulled into the
room, the door was shut, and Glenn and Wiley each pointed
a finger at Joseph and demanded that she get Karen Rude
to do her job and treat Rude no better than they were treated.
Joseph claims this encounter with Glenn and Wiley upset and
frightened her. I heard Glenn, Wiley, and Joseph. Based on
demeanor I credit Glenn and Wiley over Joseph. Joseph did
not report this encounter to her supervisor until 2 days later.
Later that very day, June 23, 1987, Glenn and Wiley
spoke with Administrator Jean Wanders and again com-
plained about the favorable treatment being accorded Karen
Rude, the DON’s daughter, over them.
On June 25, 1987, approximately 2 weeks before the
scheduled election, Glenn and Wiley were suspended pend-
ing investigation of the June 23, 1987 Joseph incident. On
June 30, 1987, they were discharged for insubordination and
physical and verbal abuse toward RN Rosemary Joseph.
Joseph had been a registered nurse for 16 years and had
worked for Respondent for over 10 years at the time of the
incident with Glenn and Wiley. It is true that Glenn and
Wiley were upset when they spoke with Joseph and Joseph
was undoubtedly upset that these aides were complaining
about the daughter of Joseph’s boss, Jan Riley, the facility
DON. Administrator Wanders was no doubt upset with
Glenn and Wiley complaining to Joseph and to her about the
daughter of her DON, who was second in command at the
facility under Wanders. The concerted coplaints by Glenn
288 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
and Wiley to Joseph and Wanders were protected and it
would be unlawful to discharge Glenn and Wiley for making
such complaints. Meyers Industries II, 281 NLRB 882
(1986). Hence, the fabrication that Glenn and Wiley in
concertedly complaining to Joseph, had engaged in physical
and verbal abuse of Joseph. There was no physical and
verbal abuse in my judgment since I credit the version of
events presented by Glenn and Wiley and not the version of
events presented by Joseph.
The decision to discharge Glenn and Wiley was made, ac-
cording to Wanders, by Wanders and DON Jan Riley. It is
my judgment that Glenn and Wiley were discharged because
they concertedly complained about a working condition,
namely, the preferential treatment accorded to the DON’s
daughter. I find that they made their complaints about Rude
in good faith, i.e., they honestly believed she was being treat-
ed better than they were being treated. Their discharges were
a violation of Section 8(a)(1) and (3) of the Act.
Evidence at the hearing reflected that in the past that one
employee received only an oral warning for arguing with a
supervisor. This was the closest misconduct to that alleged
against Glenn and Wiley. An oral warning is the least severe
punishment while discharge is the most severe.
B. Discharge of Maggie Roper
Maggie Roper, a nurses aide, began her employment with
Respondent in September 1980 and was close to being a 7-
year veteran when discharged on July 2, 1987, for alleged
patient neglect involving two total care patients whose ini-
tials are FN and MP. The two incidents allegedly occurred
on the same day. Roper had been disciplined two or three
times in the past and her last performance evaluation was
‘‘satisfactory.’’ Roper was prounion and Administrator Jean
Wanders admits she knew so at the time Roper was dis-
charged. Roper signed a union authorization card and encour-
aged other employees in the facility parking lot to do like-
wise. In addition, on July 17, 1987, there was prounion
handbilling done in front of the facility. Roper handbilled
along with two officials from the Union. Roper was either
the only employee to handbill or one of only two employees
to handbill.
Respondent called the police to remove the handbillers.
The police arrived on the scene, ascertained that it was union
handbilling, and left the area without making any arrests or
demanding that the handbillers cease handbilling.
On June 26, 1987, Administrator Wanders admonished
Roper concerning the handbilling. Wanders memorialized in
a written counseling document that Roper violated Respond-
ent’s no-access, no-solicitation rule and caused a safety prob-
lem by handbilling where she did, i.e., by the roadway. This
is not alleged as a separate unfair labor practice.
On July 1, 1987, Roper was suspended for two incidents
of alleged patient neglect. With respect to patient FN it was
alleged that Roper who was to hand feed FN had not done
so and when she did so she gave FN cold food. Roper
credibly testified that she was supposed to hand feed a puree
diet to patient FN, that FN’s lunch tray had not been brought
up to FN’s room and Roper went to help feed other patients
in the so-called feeder room until the tray arrived. When told
that FN’s tray was on the floor Roper went and fed FN. Pa-
tients are usually fed between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Roper did not feed FN until approximately 2:30 p.m. Roper
at the hearing thought it was earlier than 2:30 p.m. but the
affidavit doesn’t support her. The food was not warmed up
before FN was fed and credible evidence at the hearing re-
flects that this, unfortunately, was not uncommon. Clearly
Roper was in the wrong.
With respect to patient MP it is alleged that Roper had not
positioned MP correctly, i.e., this full-care patient was sup-
posed to be padded on her left shoulder and positioned or
placed in her bed in a way to minimize her bed sores prob-
lem. Patients such as MP are required to have their position
changed at least every 2 hours to avoid creating and aggra-
vating bed sores. MP can’t move on her own. Roper claims
that she properly positioned MP and cleaned her up and was
guilty of no misconduct whatsoever. Administrator Wanders,
who I believe on this point, saw the patient MP and observed
that she was not properly positioned. Employee memos writ-
ten by DON Jan Riley and RN Rosemary Joseph also state
that they observed MP to be improperly padded and posi-
tioned but Riley never testified at all and Joseph did not tes-
tify on this point although she did testify concerning the inci-
dent with Glenn and Wiley.
Roper admits she fed FN late and fed her cold food, al-
though she claimed cold food was not uncommon and I find,
contrary to Roper, that she left MP improperly padded and
positioned. The issue then is whether she was fired for these
reasons or because of her union activity. Wright Line, supra.
I note that Roper had been at the facility for close to 7 years
and was extremely active on behalf of the Union and Re-
spondent knew it. The discharge occurs just 8 days before
the election and is for patient neglect occurring on the very
same day that Janet Glenn and Debra Wiley are discharged,
i.e., June 30, 1987.
Prior to Roper’s discharge employee Misty Meiring was
not fired but only suspended for 3 days for neglecting ‘‘sev-
eral patients’’ by leaving them wet and soiled. Evidence pre-
sented during these hearings concerning other facilities in
this litigation proved that leaving patients wet and soiled se-
verely aggravates bed sores. Employee Gloria Jackson re-
ceived only an oral warning for patient neglect. But three
employees had been discharged for patient neglect.
Considering all the evidence in this case I conclude that
Roper was discharged, rather than disciplined in a more mild
fashion, because of prounion activity, e.g., she was either the
only employee to handbill or one of only two to handbill,
she was counseled against that handbilling; Respondent ran
a vigorous campaign against the Union, and she was fired
only 8 days before the election. I note that there was no evi-
dence that either FN or MP suffered any serious setbacks or
were injured by Roper’s neglect toward them. The discharge
of Maggie Roper was a violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the
Act.
XXXV. PARKWAY MANOR HEALTH CARE CENTER, ST.
PAUL, MINNESOTA; CHARGING PARTY IS MINNESOTA
LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES ASSOCIATION;
STIPULATED RECORD
Since 1977, the Union has represented a unit of licensed
practical nurses (LPNs) at this facility.
The parties have entered into a series of collective-bargain-
ing agreements. One such agreement and the only one appli-
cable to this case was effective by its terms for the period
289BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
August 21, 1986, through October 31, 1987. This agreement
contained a grievance-arbitration clause.
On February 19, 1987, during the term of that aforemen-
tioned collective-bargaining agreement, Administrator Mi-
chael Schultz without prior notice to the Union and without
affording the Union an opportunity to bargain over the issue
announced a general revision of the facility’s LPNs. staffing
pattern and requested indications of preference for assign-
ment from the LPNS. On April 1, 1987, this new scheduling
system for LPNs as put into effect. Between February 19 and
April 1, 1987, the parties met and while the issue of the
scheduling change was discussed it was not a matter of nego-
tiations but rather Respondent reiterating what it was going
to do.
Suffice it to say an unfair labor practice charge was filed
as was a grievance under the contract. Both the charge and
the grievance complain that Respondent was without lawful
authority to do what it did in April 1987 concerning the
scheduling of LPNs.
The grievance went to arbitration and the arbitrator found
in an award dated August 20, 1987, that Respondent acted
in violation of the contract when it implemented the revised
general work schedule on April 1, 1987. He also found that
as a result some employees’ scheduled hours of work
changed, some employees’ work locations and stations
changed, and although there were no layoffs as a result of
the change in schedule some employees’ hours were reduced.
The number of employees adversely affected by the change
was not set forth in the award. As a remedy the arbitrator
ordered that the revised general work schedule could con-
tinue in effect pending the outcome of good-faith bargaining
between the parties. The contract was due to expire on Octo-
ber 31, 1987, some 7 months after the new schedule was im-
plemented and some 2 months after the arbitrator’s award.
Respondent moved that I defer to the arbitrator’s award
pursuant to Olin Corp., 268 NLRB 573 (1984), and dismiss
this portion of the complaint. The General Counsel opposed
deferral. I denied Respondent’s motion to defer to the arbi-
trator’s award and dismiss that portion of the case involving
this facility on the grounds that the arbitrator’s award was
clearly repugnant to the policies and purposes of the Act be-
cause it ordered no meaningful relief.
The General Counsel and Respondent in August 1989 en-
tered into a stipulation of fact which meant that the hearing
involving the allegations at this facility, scheduled for August
21, 1989, would not be necessary.
According to the arbitrator’s award, which is part of the
stipulated record, there were 25 LPNs at this facility at or
about the time of the schedule change.
In the stipulation of fact submitted to me in August 1989
the General Counsel and Respondent stipulated with respect
to the schedule change that ‘‘it was anticipated that one em-
ployee, Lee Ann Stemig, would lose 16 hours per pay period
as a result of the schedule change. In fact, neither Stemig nor
any other LPN lost any hours as a result of the schedule
change. Three employees did receive floor changes in the fa-
cility, e.g., from one nursing station to another. No LPNs re-
ceived shift changes, nor were any LPNs laid off as a result
of the schedule change, however.’’
In light of the fact that when the dust settled the impact
on the LPNs as a result of the April 1, 1987 schedule change
was miniscule, i.e., three LPNs received floor changes going
from one station to another, I find there is no meaningful re-
lief that the arbitrator could have awarded. Contrary to the
arbitrator’s award no employee lost any hours. There is noth-
ing in the record to reflect that Respondent lacked authority
to transfer LPNs from one floor to another unless, of course,
it did so for an illegal reason and the management-rights
clause, section 22 of the applicable collective-bargaining
agreement, gave to the management of the facility the right,
among other things, ‘‘to assign and delegate work.’’
Accordingly, the award was not palpably wrong or clearly
repugnant to the policies and purposes of the Act since there
was no meaningful relief the arbitrator failed to order. I,
therefore, in light of the expanded record, reverse my No-
vember 30, 1988 decision denying the Respondent’s motion
and I hereby defer to the arbitrator’s award and dismiss the
allegations in the complaint involving this facility.
XXXVI. PARKVIEW MANOR NURSING HOME, GREEN BAY,
WISCONSIN; TRIAL ON AUGUST 23 AND 24, 1989;
CHARGING PARTY IS UFCW 73A
It is alleged that during a union organizing campaign
which the Union lost that Respondent, by Rod Panyik, a
human resources representative, in May 1988, violated Sec-
tion 8(a)(1) of the Act on two occasions by threatening em-
ployees that they would not get their 2-percent wage increase
in July 1988 because of the Union.
Back in August 1983 Respondent, who had recently pur-
chased this facility, promised the employees that for the next
5 years they would get a 4-percent raise each year. After a
year or two Respondent reneged on its promise and began
giving the employees a 2-percent raise in January and a sec-
ond 2-percent raise in July. This, of course, works out to be
a 3 percent raise for the year.
In late 1987 the employees were told that they would get
a 2-percent raise in January 1988 and a 2-percent raise in
July 1988. In early 1988 the union organizing campaign
began. The election was scheduled for May 23, 1988.
On May 11, 1988, Rod Panyik, a human resources rep-
resentative running Respondent’s campaign against the
Union, spoke to a group of employees. Employees Teresa
Baeman and Catherine Streu testified that Panyik told the
employees that there could be no pay raise during the negoti-
ating period after a union wins an election and that any raise
would have to be agreed to by the Union and Respondent.
This is a threat in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act be-
cause wage programs must be kept in effect during negotia-
tions, i.e., parties would continue to negotiate but previously
scheduled pay increases could not be withheld because an
election petition is filed or a union wins an election. 299 Lin-
coln St., 292 NLRB 172 (1988).
On May 19, 1988, the Union wrote a letter to Respondent
complaining about Panyik’s remarks by stating, in part, that
the Union objected to the following remarks by Panyik to
employees ‘‘if the Union wins the election on May 23, 1988,
Beverly could not grant the 2% pay increase in July’’ and
‘‘that it was illegal and Beverly would be committing an un-
fair labor practice.’’
There was no evidence at the hearing that Respondent or
Panyik wrote back to the Union to say Panyik never said the
remarks attributed to him.
On May 20, 1988, their was another meeting at which Rod
Panyik spoke to employees. There was a large group of em-
290 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
ployees in attendance. It was the last time Panyik addressed
a group of employees before the election.
General Counsel and Respondent have stipulated that a
transcript of the speech Panyik gave to employees on May
20, 1988, is an accurate transcription of what Panyik said in
this May 20, 1988 speech.
The transcription of Panyik’s remarks is 25 pages long and
Panyik made the following statements regarding the pre-
viously scheduled 2-percent July 1988 pay raise:
And we have the letters recently that I have re-
quested from you as employees, what happens to our
pay increases (inaudible). Hopefully, I’ll be able to an-
swer most of the questions, if not, then you’ll give me
questions as you leave.
. . . .
I know that from the history and from talking to you
at some point in time you got increases I think for 2
years at 4 percent and then you start getting 2 percent
in January and 2 percent in July and its been that way
for 2 years and this year you got 2 percent in January
again. So that’s been the progression for the last 4 1/2
years. You ought to watch, and we want to watch our
competition and we watched them very carefully I be-
lieve, and I think that they commpare favorably with
local facilities, both Union and nonunion, and our pol-
icy on wages is a fair one.
. . . .
What about a wage increase in July, are we gonna
get it? And folks and I cannot make you promises like
that. And someone said to me Rod we were promised
it in October/November of last year. If you promised
then that’s all well and good folks but I cannot stand
up here and make promises to you, its against the law.
. . . .
But I said when asked, ‘‘Rod are we going to get
the increases.’’ Number 1, folks I cannot make any
promises, its against the law for me to do that. Some
of you, a couple of you said Rod, we were told that
in October or November that we would get an increase
in July. If you told it, then that’s fine, I cannot come
now and promise you that you are going to get an in-
crease. Now if a union is voted in and we are negoti-
ating in July we can not give any increases and would
not do so until that contract is signed and ratified.
Signed by the union and company, and ratified by the
employees.
. . . .
Obviously, if the Union were not voted in we would
have the right to give a raise, or not to give a raise.
During this time folks we cannot change any benefits.
They can’t get better, they can’t get worse, the wages
stay the same. Nothing can be changed from the time
of the date of this petition until the day of the election.
After the election if there is no union, no charges, we
are free to do business as normal. If there is a union
we have to negotiate.
. . . .
If the company comes along and gives increases like
we normally do, why would I need a union? It’s just
part of the law. The reason for negotiations is to sit
down and negotiate over wages, benefits and working
conditions.
The clear and unmistakable message from Panyik’s state-
ments is that if the Union wins the election the employees
will not get the previously scheduled July 2, 1988 pay in-
crease. This is a threat in violation of Section 8(a)(1) of the
Act. See Gould, Inc., 260 NLRB 54 (1982); Frank’s Nursery
& Crafts, 297 NLRB 781 (1990).
On May 23, 1988, the Union lost the election. There were
40 votes against the Union and 36 votes in favor of the
Union.
These two unlawful threats on May 11 and 20, 1988, are
violations of Section 8(a)(1) of the Act and, I find, interfered
with the election results. Threats violative of Section 8(a)(1)
of the Act interfere with an election unless the violations are
such that it is virtually impossible to conclude that they
could have affected the results of the election. Enola Super
Thrift, 233 NLRB 409 (1977). These threats, especially the
second one to a large group of employees just 3 days before
the election, cannot possibly be deemed to have had no af-
fect on the outcome of the election. The election is set aside
and a new election in the same unit may be ordered by the
Regional Director for Region 30.
XXXVII. PARKVIEW GARDENS CARE CENTER, WATERLOO,
IOWA; CHARGING PARTY IS UAW 838;
STIPULATED RECORD
It is alleged that Respondent violated Section 8(a)(5) of
the Act by unlawfully implementing a vacation buy out pro-
gram following an impasse during bargaining. The thrust of
the allegation, however, as set forth in the parties’ stipula-
tion, is that Respondent’s implementation of its vacation buy
out program differed from that offered only in that the buy
out was to occur on January 1, 1987, versus mid-December
1986 as proposed.
The parties agreed in October 1989 to submit the above
matter to me in the forms of a stipulated record. This proce-
dure rendered unnecessary the hearing on these allegations
which had been scheduled for October 10, 1989.
The Union was certified to represent a unit of service and
maintenance employees in December 1983.
In March 1984 bargaining began between Respondent and
the Union for an initial labor contract for unit employees.
Approximately 20 bargaining sessions were held between
March 1984 and October 17, 1986. No bargaining sessions
were held between October 18, 1986, and the end of January
1987. The parties failed to reach agreement.
On October 17, 1986, Respondent submitted its final offer
to the Union. Included in this final offer was a vacation plan
that had first been proposed to the Union on October 6,
1986. On October 20, 1986, approximately 50 of the 100
unit employees engaged in a lawful strike. This strike was
current at the end of January 1987.
As of October 27, 1986, Respondent and the Union had
reached a lawful impasse in their negotiations. As a result,
Respondent’s negotiator, J. James Wehrle, sent the Union a
letter dated October 27, 1986, informing it that the facility
was implementing its final offer—including the vacation buy
out policy—effective October 28, 1986.
Pursuant to the implemented vacation policy, employees
were required to request their vacation in writing, subject to
291BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
3 Beverly Manor of Monroeville, Fayette Health Care Center,
Nount Lebanon Manor Convalescent Center, Carpenter Care Center,
Duke Convalescent Center, Meyersdale Manor, Richland Manor,
Provincial House Total Living Center, Faith Haven Health Care Cen-
ter, Pond Point Convalescent Center, Golden Rule Nursing Home,
Parkview Manor Nursing Home, Hillcrest Convalescent Center, and
Beverly Manor of Reading.
4 Mount Lebanon Manor Convalescent Center, Carpenter Care
Center, Duke Convalescent Center, Meyersdale Manor, Richland
Manor, Faith Haven Health Care Center, and Ridgewood Court
Nursing Home.
5 Mount Lebanon Manor Convalescent Center, Carpenter Care
Center, and Richland Manor.
approval by their supervisor. Although Respondent received
no written vacation requests from its striking employees from
the commencement of the strike through December 31, 1986,
it did receive a request from Syble Coon, a member of the
union negotiating committee, on August 8, 1986, which was
prior to the strike. Pursuant to this request, Coon was granted
her vacation time and paid from October 18 through Novem-
ber 10, 1986, while she was on strike.
On or about January 15, 1987, Respondent implemented
the buy out provision of its vacation policy by sending letters
to those employees who had neither requested nor utilized all
of their vacation time. Included within each letter was a
check constituting full payment for the recipient’s accrued
vacation time at the rate of 50 percent just as spelled out in
Respondent’s final offer.
The complaint alleges that Respondent violated Section
8(a)(5) of the Act by unlawfully implementing a vacation
buy out program on January 15, 1987. Specifically, it is al-
leged that Respondent issued buy out payments pursuant to
its vacation policy on January 15, 1987, rather than with the
first paycheck in December 1986, as contemplated in the
proposal contained in Respondent’s final offer. There is no
factual dispute that Respondent issued the buy out payments
in January 1987, rather than with the first paycheck in De-
cember 1986. Is this a de minimis change as Respondent
agrues or not? If Respondent had implemented the vacation
buy out plan as called for in its final offer it is obvious that
the employees on strike would have put in for vacation for
sometime in December and received more than 50 percent of
the vacation money due them or maybe all of the vacation
money due them.
At the time Respondent submitted this proposal to the
Union it did not expect the Union to call a strike. When the
strike ensued on October 20, 1986, the issue confronted by
Respondent was whether to issue the buy out checks on the
first payday in December 1986—as contemplated in the lan-
guage of the proposal—or wait until the expiration of the
calendar year to determine which employees, including those
on strike, were going to use vacation time during the latter
part of the year. Respondent argues that because it was en-
tirely possible that Respondent could have issued the buy out
checks on the first payday in December, and then have em-
ployees request vacation time prior to December 31, 1986,
the inconvenience of administering the program under these
conditions proved to be a nightmare. If it was so imple-
mented, Respondent would have been issuing checks, re-
scinding checks, and reissuing them to employees who re-
quested vacation time between the first payday in December
and December 31, 1986. That is precisely the point.
In issuing the checks in January 1987 rather than the first
pay period in December 1986, Respondent implemented a
different vacation buy out program than the one contained in
its final offer and employees were adversely impacted by the
difference.
The evidence is undisputed that the vacation policy in
question was implemented following an impasse in negotia-
tions. Further, there is no evidence that Respondent treated
strikers differently from nonstrikers. The point is that Re-
spondent implemented something different than what it had
on the table.
The law in this area is well-settled. An employer violates
its duty to bargain if, when negotiations are sought or are in
progress, it unilaterally institutes changes in existing terms
and conditions of employment. NLRB v. Katz, 369 U.S. 736
(1962). However, if parties have bargained in good faith to
impasse then an employer may institute unilateral changes in
terms and conditions of employment so long as they are not
substantially different than any which the employer has pro-
posed during the negotiations. NLRB v. Crompton-Highland
Mills, 337 U.S. 217 (1949); Atlas Tack Corp., 226 NLRB
222, 227 (1976).
In light of the fact that employees were deprived of as
much as 50 percent of the moneys due them under the vaca-
tion buy out program because of the change in the date of
issuing the checks the change from the final offer was a sig-
nificant change and not a Q minimus change and those em-
ployees should be made whole and Respondent in doing
what it did violated Section 8(a)(5) of the Act.
SUMMARY AND REMEDY
I find that Respondent committed unfair labor practices at
33 separate facilities located in 12 different States. Unfair
labor practices were committed in States as far east as Mas-
sachusetts, as far west as Washington, as far north as Wis-
consin, and as far south as Texas. A nationwide remedy is
appropriate.
I find that unfair labor practices were committed by Re-
spondent during and after union organizing campaigns and
were committed after union organizing campaigns which the
Union won and those which the Union lost.
I find unfair labor practices at 33 facilities which is ap-
proximately 3 percent of Respondent’s facilities. I note that
if a catastrophe struck the United States killing only 3 per-
cent of the American people it would result in a loss of life
totaling approximately 7.5 million persons. To put that num-
ber in perspective according to the 1981 World Almanac
published by Newspaper Enterprise Association, Inc., only
1.8 million Americans died in all of America’s wars from the
Revolutionary War through the war in Vietnam. In other
words 3 percent can be a lot. On the other hand a 3-percent
rate of inflation or 3-percent rate of unemployment is
deemed quite acceptable. But it is my judgment the 3 percent
of Beverly’s facilities in this case coupled with 15 prior Bev-
erly cases manifests a propensity on Respondent’s part to
violate the Act and warrants a nationwide order.
There were unlawful threats,3 interrogations,4 promises or
grants of benefits,5 and surveillance or the creating of the
292 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
6 Beverly Manor of Monroeville, Mount Lebanon Manor Convales-
cent Center, Carpenter Care Center, Duke Convalescent Center, and
Meyersdale Manor.
impression of surveillance6 all in violation of Section 8(a)(1)
of the Act at many facilities.
Employees were unlawfully disciplined in violation of
Section 8(a)(1) and (3) of the Act at a number of facilities:
Debbie Savelli received an unlawful oral reprimand at
Beverly Manor of Monroeville;
Seventeen employees were unlawfully fired but later re-
hired, and an unlawful oral warning given to Joann Clingan
at Fayette Health Care Center;
Unlawful oral warning given to Elaine Dukes at Mount
Lebanon Manor Convalescent Center;
Unlawful 3-day suspension of Marie Meador and the un-
lawful discharge of Erika Evans, unlawful written warning to
Pamela Newell, and unlawful written warning to Lynn Smith
all at Carpenter Care Center;
Unlawful discharge of Lucille Lucas at the Duke Con-
valescent Center;
Unlawful refusal to rehire Patricia Chroninger at Beverly
Manor of Reading;
Unlawful discharge of Suzanne LaFramboise and unlawful
written warning to Patricia Spangler at Meyersdale Manor;
Unlawful discharge of Deborah Altemus at Richland
Manor;
Unlawful discharge of Jeraldine Bubna, unlawful removal
of administrative duties and transfer of Mable Dart and un-
lawful warnings (one written and one oral) to Joyce Kircher
at North Park Manor;
Unlawful suspension and discharge of Precious Beasley
and unlawful 3-day suspension of Leonnette Curry at Four
Chaplains Convalescent Center;
Unlawful discharge of Linda Johnson at Provincial House
Total Living Center;
Unlawful discharge of Kim King at Adrian Health Care
Center;
Unlawful discharge of Yvonne Murine at Faith Haven
Health Care Center;
Unlawful written warning to Immacula Joseph, unlawful
discharge of Nicole Pierre, and unlawful written warnings
and discharge of Elias Pierre at East Village Nursing Rome;
Unlawful discharge of Vicky Buker at Pond Point Con-
valescent Center;
Unlawful written warning to Malcom Campbell at Belle-
ville Nursing Home;
Unlawful discharge of Shirley Niswonger and unlawful re-
moval from job of Charisse Bryant at Ridgeview Manor
Nursing Home;
Unlawful discharges of Janet Glenn, Debra Wiley and
Maggie Roper at Sycamore Village Nursing Home;
Unlawful discharge of Joyce Garmon at Colonial Park
Nursing Home; and
Unlawful written warning, threat of discharge, and dis-
charge of Denise Kirven at Claystone Manor.
There were 8(a)(5) violations, i.e., failure to bargain in
good faith at Beverly Manor of Monroeville, Fayette Health
Care Center, Beverly Manor of Reading, York Terrace Nurs-
ing Center, Meyersdale Manor, North Park Manor, Greene
Health Care Center, Stroud Manor, Stenton Hall, Sherman
Oaks Care Center, East Village Nursing Home, Torrington
Extend-A-Care, Smithville Convalescent Center, Parkview
Gardens Care Center and Carpenter Care Center.
There was an unlawful physical assault on a union rep-
resentative at the Fayette Health Care Center. There was un-
lawful prohibition on union handbilling at Beverly Manor of
Monroeville, Mount Lebanon Manor Convalescent Center,
and Meyersdale Manor. There was an unlawful threat of har-
assment to an employee if she didn’t testify in Respondent’s
favor at an upcoming NLRB hearing before me concerning
the Fayette Health Care Center. There was unlawful denial
of tuition reimbursement to Diane Mead at Mount Lebanon
Manor Convalescent Center. There was unlawful change of
a benefit (picking up checks) at Carpenter Care Center.
There was disparate and unlawful restriction on the use of
the bulletin board at Richland Manor where the bulletin
board could be used for almost anything but union postings.
There was unlawful removal of a bulletin board at Faith
Haven Health Care Center, unlawful enforcement of overly
broad no-solicitation rule at Ridgewood Court Nursing
Home. There was unlawful promise of increased vacation
benefits if employees decertified the Union at Magnolia
Manor. There was denial of access to the Union at Smithville
Convalescent Center.
I will recommend that new elections be held at Four Chap-
lains Convalescent Center and Parkview Manor Nursing
Home because of Responent’s preelection unfair labor prac-
tices at those two facilities.
This is not Beverly’s first encounter with the Board. It was
stipulated between the parties that the following list of cases
are the reported Board decisions involving Beverly:
1. Beverly Manor Convalescent Centers, 242 NLRB
751 (1979), enf. denied and remanded 661 F.2d 1095
(6th Cir. 1981); reaffd. 264 NLRB 966 (1982), re-
manded 727 F.2d 591 (6th Cir. 1984), reaffd. 275
NLRB 943 (1985).
2. Beverly Manor Convalescent Hospital, 247 NLRB
691 (1982), enfd. 659 F.2d 1089 (9th. Cir. 1981).
3. Beverly Manor Convalescent Hospital, 250 NLRB
355 (1980).
4. Hillview Convalescent Center, 266 NLRB 758
(1983).
5. Beverly Enterprises, 272 NLRB 83 (1984).
6. Beverly Manor of Reading, 276 NLRB No. 125
(1983), rescinded by unpublished Board Order January
9, 1986.
7. Maple Grove Convalescent Home, 274 NLRB
1102 (1985).
8. Cumberland Nursing Center, 263 NLRB 428
(1982).
9. Hale Nani Health Center, 279 NLRB 242 (1986).
10. Leisure Lodge, 279 NLRB 327 (1986).
11. Parkview Gardens Care Center, 280 NLRB 47
(1986).
12. Fountainview Place, 281 NLRB 26 (1986).
13. Provincial House Living Center, 287 NLRB 158
(1987).
14. Beverly Manor of Monroeville, 286 NLRB 1084
(1987).
15. Fayette Health Care Center, 286 NLRB No. 105
(Nov. 24, 1987) (not reported in Board volumes).
293BEVERLY ENTERPRISES
7 See, e.g., J. P. Stevens & Co., 247 NLRB 420 (1980) ; J. P. Ste-
vens & Co., 245 NLRB 198 (1979); J. P. Stevens & Co., 244 NLRB
407 (1979); J. P. Stevens & Co., 240 NLRB 33 (1979); J. P. Ste-
vens & Co., 240 NLRB 239 (1978).
8 See Florida Steel Corp., 224 NLRB 45 (1976). See also Florida
Steel Corp., 244 NLRB 395 (1979), revd. and remanded 646 F.2d
616 (D.C. Cir. 1981), reaffd. 262 NLRB 1460 (1982), enfd. in pert.
part 713 F. 2d 828 (D.C. Cir. 1983).
Suffice it to say the last case could be called Beverly 15
and if the 33 facilities where I find unfair labor practices
were committed had been tried separately we could refer to
the last case as Beverly 48. A lot of cases. Is it enough
though to demonstrate a proclivity to violate the Act and
warrant a nationwide order? The answer is yes. I note that
on the last day of hearings in Washington, D.C., on Decem-
ber 13, 1989, Respondent introduced into evidence an exhibit
which is a letter dated January 9, 1987, from the Regional
Director for Region 6 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) to one of
Respondent’s attorneys listing over 100 meritorious cases in-
volving Respondent in the years 1983–1986.
The Board has authority under Section 10(c) of the Act to
order ‘‘such affirmative action . . . as will effectuate the
policies of the Act.’’ The Board’s power’’ is a broad discre-
tionary one subject to limited judicial review.’’ Fibreboard
Corp. v. NLRB, 379 U.S. 203, 216 (1964).
The Board has issued broad remedial orders in the past.
In a series of cases involving J. P. Stevens & Co. the Board
has ordered corporatewide remedies to include the posting of
notices at all J. P. Stevens plants.7 The Board did the same
thing with respect to the Florida Steel Corp. where it ordered
a broad cease-and-desist order and the posting of notices at
all Florida Steel’s facilities based on six prior meritorious
cases against Florida Steel.8
The Board in Hickmott Foods, 242 NLRB 1357 (1979),
held that a broad cease-and-desist order requiring a Respond-
ent to cease and desist from ‘‘in any other manner restraining
or coercing employees in the exercise of their Section 7
rights’’ rather than the narrow ‘‘in this or any like manner’’
language should be reserved for situations where a Respond-
ent is shown to have a proclivity to violate the Act or has
engaged in such egregious or widespread misconduct as to
demonstrate a general disregard for the employees’ funda-
mental statutory rights.
With respect to Beverly the history of 15 prior reported
decisions coupled with the 35 meritorious cases in the instant
litigation clearly show a proclivity to violate the Act on Re-
spondent’s part or, at the least, widespread and egregious
misconduct warranting an extraordinary remedy. The bottom
line is J. P. Stevens and Florida Steel committed an awful
lot of unfair labor practices and so did Beverly.
As in the J. P. Stevens cases the order and notice should
run to all of Respondent’s facilities and consistent with the
rationale of Hickmott Foods, the cease-and-desist order
should include not only an order to cease and desist from all
the conduct found violative herein (as great as that was) but
that Respondent cease and desist from in any other manner
or by any other means interfering with, restraining, and co-
ercing its employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed
to them in Section 7 of the Act.
The Board has the power and responsibility in the event
unfair labor practices are committed to order such affirmative
action as will effectuate the purposes and policies of the Act.
The orders of the Board should always be remedial and
never punitive, e.g., if an employee is unlawfully discharged
he or she will be ordered reinstated with back pay but will
not be awarded punitive damages.
Considering the litigation history of Beverly in the instant
case and the prior 15 reported decigions involving Beverly,
considering the fact that headquarters higher than the facility
itself were involved in all union organizing campaigns, con-
sidering the fact that Beverly is a well organized entity
which admits single employer status with all its regions, divi-
sions and facilities it is obvious that an extraordianary rem-
edy is appropriate. The simple fact is that Beverly’s unfair
labor practices were egregious, took place over several years
at numerous locations and clearly manifest a proclivity to
violate the Act on Respondent’s part. I will order two rem-
edies that are extraordinary in nature:
(1) The Order will run to Beverly and all its facili-
ties, and (2) The notice will be posted at each and
every one of Respondent’s facilities.
I will not recommend to the Board that it order other ex-
traordinary relief, e.g., I will not order that the notice be
posted longer than the normal 60 days, I will not order the
payment of litigation costs to the Charging Parties or to the
Board, I will not order that the Union be granted access to
the facilities of Respondent beyond the right to access the
Unions enjoy already by virtue of the Act or specific collec-
tive-bargaining agreements, and I will not order that copies
of the notice be mailed to the private resident of each and
every employee.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. Respondent is an employer engaged in commerce within
the meaning of Section 2(2), (6), and (7) of the Act.
2. The Unions are all labor organizations within the mean-
ing of Section 2(5) of the Act.
3. Respondent violated Sections 8(a)(1), (3), and (5) of the
Act as more fully spelled out in the sections of this decision
captioned 1–37.
4. The unfair labor practices committed by Respondent af-
fect commerce within the meaning of Section 2(6) and (7)
of the Act.
[Recommended Order omitted from publication.]