Update on Laurelhurst Village Campaign

Here’s an update on the campaign: Our successful forum in May highlighted Laurelhurst Village’s poor record of patient care and illegal action against worker organizing. Community leaders followed up and delivered the message loud and clear that our community cares about those who give and receive care in nursing homes. We can hold Laurelhurst accountable to a higher standard. Now is time for us to take the next steps.

We congratulate Elizabeth Lehr, the former Laurelhurst employee who was fired illegally for union activity, on an outcome which vindicates both her and her coworkers who continue in their struggle to unionize their workplace. Elizabeth had to make the decision between being able to hold Laurelhurst Village accountable now or waiting through an appeals process which might take up to two years. Over that amount of time we may have lost the momentum that the community’s support has given these workers. Most importantly, she didn’t think her coworkers or the residents could wait that long for real accountability. Now her record has been cleared and she has entered into a settlement that includes meaningful financial payment and a waiver of her right to return to her job.  Elizabeth will continue her commitment to organize for better living and working conditions at Laurelhurst Village.

Unfortunately Laurelhurst Village is dishonoring the spirit of the settlement by continuing to disparage Elizabeth and threatening workers. The employer is saying that because employees filed charges with the NLRB they cannot provide their employees with health insurance. They also continue to ignore the will of their employees to form a union and have not agreed to a fair process to do so.