Update: This story has been updated to include a response from Ascension Via Christi.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Nurses with Ascension Via Christi-St. Joseph filed a petition to vote for unionization.
The petition was filed with the National Labor Relations Board on Friday. The petition covers all full-time, regular part-time, and per diem registered nurses, as well as acting and full-time charge nurses at Via Christi-St. Joseph.
If approved, they would become the second to unionize in Wichita, joining their counterparts at Via Christi-St. Francis, who petitioned back in October and voted to unionize in early November, and joined National Nurses United (NNU), the nation’s largest and fastest-growing RN union.
There’s no indication yet when a possible vote could take place.
Ascension Via Christi released the following response to the petition filing:
“National Nurses United has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board seeking to
unionize some identified nursing associates at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph.
We do not believe unionization is necessary, although we recognize and respect the rights of
associates to decide whether or not to unionize. We firmly believe associates are better served
when they are able to work directly and collaboratively with leaders rather than through
unionization. We believe it is an important leadership responsibility to ensure associates have the facts about unionization so they can make a fully informed decision that is best for
themselves and their families.
We will not waive their right to make a fully informed decision to join, or not to join, a union
under the protections afforded by a secret ballot election process supervised by the National
Labor Relations Board.”
