NLRB Frees Washington Hospital From Joint Employer Bond to Union

A healthcare system doesn’t jointly employ doctors, nurses, and other workers who were contracted to provide services at two of its Washington hospitals and unionized nearly two years ago, the National Labor Relations Board ruled.

The NLRB reversed Thursday a regional director’s finding that PeaceHealth was jointly responsible under federal labor law for a group of 30 workers directly employed by South Sound Inpatient Physicians PLLC.

The decision eliminates PeaceHealth’s duty to bargain with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists.

While the ruling’s impact on South Sound isn’t certain, it will likely result in the regional director amending his ...