California — A recent legal decision has compelled California-based Satellite Healthcare to cease retaliatory actions against its employees for choosing to unionize. An administrative law judge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued an order finding that the dialysis provider violated federal labor law by implementing punitive workplace policy changes and terminating a key union supporter.
Judge Brian Gee’s ruling concluded that Satellite Healthcare unlawfully withheld merit-based pay increases, issued threats of reprisal, and ultimately discharged a registered nurse due to their union activities. These actions occurred during and after contract negotiations between the company and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) at various locations within the Bay Area.
Under the NLRB’s cease-and-desist order, Satellite Healthcare is now specifically prohibited from the following actions:
- Communicating to employees that union representation by SEIU is futile.
- Threatening employees with facility shutdowns.
- Attributing the withholding of wage increases to the union’s presence.
- Preventing employees from having union representatives present during investigatory interviews.
- Taking disciplinary action, including termination, against employees due to union involvement.
The order also mandates that Satellite Healthcare post a formal notice informing employees of the National Labor Relations Act violations. This ruling builds upon a previous injunction issued in December 2024 by Judge Rita F. Lin of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, which required the company to reinstate annual merit-based wage increases for its workforce.
Workers in California who believe they have experienced workplace retaliation are encouraged to seek legal counsel. Contact us at Labor Law Advocates for a free consultation to discuss your rights and options.
