Union sues hospitals over vaccine policy
The Service Employees International Union Local 1107 is suing the operators of Sunrise Hospital and Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center, claiming the hospitals’ H1N1 vaccination policies are a violation of its collective bargaining agreement.
The federal lawsuit filed Thursday named Sunrise and Southern Hills’ parent, Healthcare Corporation of America, and seeks an injunction until an arbitration hearing can be held. At issue is HCA’s policy requiring employees to get both the seasonal flu shot and H1N1 vaccine.
If the employee refuses to be vaccinated, they are allegedly required to wear masks and badges indicating they have not received the flu vaccines. Hospital workers may face termination for refusing to do either.
The local 1107 is requesting that an arbitration hearing be held before the H1N1 procedures become a condition of employment. HCA also operates Sunrise Children’s Hospital.
