Nursing home spies on staff after accusing them of voodoo

MIAMI -- A nursing home that accused union organizers of using voodoo to frighten its Haitian-American employees into joining has been accused by federal officials of mistreating workers.

The National Labor Relations Board said last month it found evidence of spying on workers, threats and unfair dismissals at Mount Sinai-St. Francis Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Miami. It granted four workers a Nov. 12 hearing before a labor judge.

Earlier this year, the nursing home had accused the Service Employees International Union of planting lines of pennies and half-empty water cups -- bad omens in voodoo lore -- at the center in an effort to scare workers into joining the union.

The NLRB rejected the voodoo claims in May and refused to overturn an election in February where workers voted in favor of a union. Instead, it opened an investigation into the home after workers said they had been mistreated.

A complaint filed by the union claimed employees Rose Marie Noel and Urlick Antoine were fired and Julienne Lubin and Kurt Tkac were disciplined because of their support of the union.

The union also accused the nursing home of spying on and threatening workers while they handed out fliers and discussed the union. The NLRB released its findings on July 30.

Union members said the board's findings gives them a boost as they fight the nursing home's appeal of the board's decision not to overturn the Feb. 28 vote.

Nursing home spokesman Bruce Rubin charged the union with creating an atmosphere of intimidation.

"Shame on the union. They were the ones who injected this element of fear and intimidation into this issue," Rubin said. "There is absolutely no merit to any innuendo to mistreat or inappropriately discipline."

The labor board receives about 35,000 complaints a year. About a third make it to hearings and the rest are dismissed or settled.

A judge could reinstate the fired or disciplined employees, award back pay and levy fines. The employer can appeal the judge's findings to the five National Labor Relations Board members in Washington.

Voodoo evolved in the 17th century among African slaves brought to the Caribbean. Followers believe in a supreme god and a world of mighty spirits who link humans with the divine.