The National Labor Relations Board has charged UPMC with 19 violations against workers involved in a union-organizing campaign.

The charges include unlawfully “threatening, interrogating, and intimidating employees” for union activities, calling police on union representatives who were lawfully on UPMC premises, implying the workers would receive poor work evaluations, and disciplining employees for testifying before the NLRB on earlier charges.

The complaint also accuses UPMC of illegally firing four workers for union activity.

The charges stem from a union organizing campaign for UPMC service workers by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania and follow a similar set of numerous charges brought in December.

UPMC spokeswoman Gloria Kreps said this morning the NLRB “has not determined that UPMC has violated any labor laws and any representation that a violation has been found is false.”

“We are looking forward to our opportunity to present the facts,” she said.

A hearing on the most recent charges is scheduled for Dec. 16 in the federal building in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Steve Twedt: stwedt@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1963.

First Published October 2, 2013 10:30 am