Sacramento nurse sues
union
Lawsuit addresses conflict of morals,
religious beliefs
After nearly two years
of efforts for a resolution, Sacramento
nurse Jennifer Le filed suit in federal
court against the California Nurses
Association in December.
Le, represented by Pacific Justice
Institute, a nonprofit legal defense
organization dedicated to the defense of
civil liberties, objected to paying her dues
to the nurses association. Le alleges the
union's positions on specific moral issues
conflicted with her religious beliefs. She
is a Roman Catholic.
President of Pacific Justice Institute Brad
Dacus said the lawsuit is addressing the
civil rights issue of tolerance and said he
feels there is a lack of accommodation for
people with strong religious principles.
“Unions should not be able to get away with
treating their union workers like
second-class citizens and our association is
willing to go up against controversial
agendas,” Dacus said. “We have made a
commitment to see this case until the end.”
Dacus also said Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act requires unions to reasonably
require accommodations for all citizens and
pointed to a potential violation of this act
throughout relations between Le and the
California Nurses Association. Title VII
bans employment discrimination based on
race, color, religion, sex and national
origin, according to the United States Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission.
“All of their dues could go to a charity
instead of the union, but the charity it
goes to must also comply with the religious
convictions of the employee,” Dacus said.
“The union refused to allow her to give to a
charity that was not in violation of her
beliefs and convictions.”
The California Nurses Association offered Le
five charity options, including Planned
Parenthood and the AIDS Foundation, all of
which she deemed inconsistent with the
ideals of her faith.
Charles Idelson, a representative from the
California Nurses Association, called the
lawsuit “politically motivated” and said he
feels that Pacific Justice Institute
occupies an extreme position in the
political spectrum.
“This lawsuit was
introduced by a far-right organization that
is way beyond the mainstream of American
life,” Idelson said. “This case is without
merit.”
Idelson also said he feels Le was treated
fairly by the California Nurses Association
and noted the organization's dedication to
fair and lawful practices.
“This individual was given every right
within the organization,” Idelson said. “The
California Nurses Association respects
everyone's civil rights.”
According to a Pacific Justice Institute
press release dated Jan. 4, the majority of
health facilities in the Sacramento area are
now engaged in collective bargaining
agreements for employee rights for the
58,000 union members, who typically exclude
non-member nurses. It is known that lack of
union affiliation make it difficult for
other area nurses to find work.
Dacus noted that while the lawsuit was
recently filed and still in its infancy, he
is looking forward to a victorious finale
for Le and Pacific Justice Institute.
“We've given the union two years to do what
we feel is ethically and legally right,”
Dacus said. “We are now looking forward to a
judgment for which they will pay the price
and learn the lesson.”
MOLLY BECHTEL can be reached at
city@californiaaggie.com.
