MADISON, Wis. — SSM Health is appealing the National Labor Relations Board’s certification of a nurses union at St. Mary’s Hospital.

The nurses voted overwhelmingly last month to form their union. SSM Health raised objections about conduct the health care provider said affected the election and hospital operations, but the NLRB dismissed those concerns.

“We respect our employees’ right to decide whether they want union representation,” SSM Health spokesperson Lisa Adams said in a statement Wednesday. “Our appeal is focused on concerns about the election process and ensuring those concerns receive full review.”

Adams said said SSM Health did not believe the regional NLRB fully investigated its concerns surrounding the election process. The health care provider said its right to appeal the NLRB’s certification decision was covered by federal labor law.

“We greatly value our nurses and the important contributions they make every day,” Adams said. “Our focus remains on supporting them and continuing to provide exceptional care for our patients and the communities we serve.”

Nearly 900 nurses joined the union, making it the largest private-sector union election in recent Wisconsin history. 

SEIU Wisconsin said SSM executives need to drop their objections to its union election and do what is right for the patients, profession and community. 

“SSM executives should be working collaboratively with St. Mary’s nurses to solve the crisis of extreme understaffing, burnout and turnover in our hospital, not wasting resources trying to undermine our union voice.” SEIU said.

SEIU said SSM has continued their pressure tactics inside the hospital, which have included nurses with disciplinary action for union activity, destroying union information and confiscating union materials. 

“These tactics distract from patient care delivery and cause us further anxiety, when we are already struggling with understaffing, stress and exhaustion.” SEIU said. “They also go against our local Madison and Wisconsin values.”

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