'Code of Conduct' Developed for Religiously Sponsored Health Care Institutions

Chicago–The Interfaith Worker Justice has developed a "Code of Conduct" booklet to help union leadership and heath care management understand one another, communicate respectfully and build healthy working relationships. It aims to help avoid possible labor-management problems that now plague a number of religiously-sponsored health care institutions nationwide.

The 10-page booklet, Guidelines for Unions and Management of Religiously Sponsored Health Care Institutions, was developed in the midst of great change and tension in the health care industry. Health care providers are under pressure to reduce costs and improve value to customers. At the same time, "there is an increase in religion-labor organizing efforts in the health care industry to secure a voice, living wages, better benefits, job security, respect, and fairness in the workplace," said Bishop Jesse DeWitt, retired from the United Methodist Church and president of the National Interfaith Committee's board.

The National Interfaith Committee plans to print at least 10,000 to 15,000 copies. "We already have an order from one union to purchase 5,000," said Sister Barbara Pfarr, SSND, Religious Employer Project Coordinator for the Interfaith Committee.

Religiously sponsored non-profit institutions, such as hospitals and nursing homes, should model the highest standard of employer-employee relations, but unfortunately some religious institutions hire union-busing law firms and engage in unethical, and sometimes illegal behavior towards workers, said worker advocates.

Often union organizing and contract negotiations deteriorate the relationship between employee and management. Sections included in the booklet such as, "Why some workers wants unions, Why some managers resist unions, and Areas for Mutual Cooperation" address the problems.

"Our hope is that this document will be widely used as a tool for reflection, dialogue and relationship building," said Sister Barbara. "We believe these rules of engagement are a concrete contribution towards finding solutions to a longstanding problem."

The Religious Employers Project is an effort to facilitate direct and respectful dialogue between religious sponsors and union leadership in order to avoid some of the painful and expensive confrontations that are all to familiar to most parties.

The guidelines were developed with the help of many advisors, including Rev. Karen Bloomquist, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; Sr. Doris Gottemoeller, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas; Rev. Charles Rawlings, National Council of Churches; and Ms. Bonnie Ladin, Services Employees International Union.

The Chicago-based National Interfaith Committee educates, organizes, and mobilizes the religious community in the U.S. on issues and campaigns that will improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers, especially low-wage workers.

For more information on the Guidelines, contact Sister Barbara Pfarr, SSND at (773) 728-8400. For one copy of the Guidelines, send $2 (includes shipping and handling) to the Interfaith Worker Justice at 1020 West Bryn Mawr, 4th floor, Chicago, IL 60660. Additional copies cost 25 cents each. For bulk orders, call at the above number or e-mail at info@iwj.org