(NEW YORK CITY) - The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has filed a petition in a Federal Court alleging the non-profit Covenant House New York has refused to bargain in good faith with Employees who Unionized nearly three years ago.

In July 2022, about 190 Employees at Covenant House, which provides shelter for homeless and runaway youth, voted to join Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1199.

The Union represents Social Workers, Nurse Practitioners, Medical Receptionists and Cooks, among dozens of other titles.

The Union Filed Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Petitions with the NLRB in 2024 alleging Covenant House management threatened to suspend Employees if they participated in Union activities, and that the non-profit had refused to provide the Union with information relevant to collective bargaining since November 2023.

The petition filed by NLRB Region 2 on May 1st in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York claims Covenant House cancelled contract bargaining sessions and refused to make proposals.

The NLRB also alleges Covenant House’s management has refused to negotiate.

The last bargaining session between the two parties was held on February 13th, 2024, according to the petition.

1199 SEIU Executive Vice President Patricia Marthone said: “The petition speaks to just how egregious Covenant House New York’s Union-Busting conduct has been. We applaud the NLRB for taking this step and our Members for their courageous testimony in the trial. The Staff of Covenant House New York care for many of the most vulnerable young people in New York City and it is crucial that their rights as Workers are respected. It’s time for Covenant House New York to follow the law and negotiate a fair contract without any further delay.”

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: NLRB alleges bad-faith bargaining from nonprofit shelter - The Chief