Trinity Health Grand Haven Withdraws Recognition of SEIU as Bargaining Agent

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. September 29, 2023 — On September 28, Trinity Health Grand Haven received clear and objective evidence that the SEIU has lost majority support of the colleagues it has represented since November 2022. In accordance with federal law, Trinity Health Grand Haven has notified the SEIU that the hospital no longer recognizes this union as the bargaining agent of the colleagues.

A de-certification election took place on September 18-19 in response to a petition filed last month by colleagues who no longer wished to be represented by the SEIU. The evidence of the loss of majority support was received prior to the counting of the ballots on September 29. Although the results of the election were in favor of the union, the notice to the SEIU of the withdrawal of recognition was delivered 10 days after the election and prior to the ballot count, thereby taking precedence over the outcome of the election.

Under federal labor law, an employer may withdraw its authority to bargain with a union when presented with objective evidence that the majority of the union members wish to leave the union.

“The majority of colleagues have told us they don't want this union,” said Shelleye Yaklin, president of Trinity Health Grand Haven. “We are happy to honor their wishes and are proceeding under federal law with direct partnership. We have notified the SEIU that we have withdrawn recognition of the union and are terminating further bargaining.”

Trinity Health Grand Haven is committed to providing competitive and sustainable wages to the valued colleagues who provide compassionate, healing care to the lakeshore community. As a first step, Trinity Health Grand Haven is implementing across-the-board wage increases for its colleagues, including those formerly represented by the SEIU. The increases are effective October 1.